Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-24
The Pa,t and the Present.

distinguished for the dsinterestedness the patriot
ism and the wisdom of its statesmen. Citizens who
were called to fill high posts of responsibility were
confded in for their capacity and incorruptbility.
Thirty years ago even, men of bad moral character
and of dubious political integrity, if once fosted
upon the people, could not long deceive them. The
| wholesome checks Of the elective franchise, not
then so much corrupted aud subordnated to mere
partyism, would rid the public councils of the
mere demagogue who aspred to fill the place of the
statesman
The country was safe in the hands of such men,
whichever party was in the ascendency Then par
ties were created for the preservation of government
and for the conservation of the liberties and rights
of the people, and not for their destruction. The
interests of the representative of government and of
the people, were synonymous. Politics had not
then become trade, by which the bold and the base
might live upon the government without work.
Government in those purer days was the patron of
industry, of enterprise and commerce, and not the
mere provider for those who were in the interest of
its rulers.
What change that brief period has wrought -
Men versed in the science of government trust
worthy and competent began to disappear from the
public councils Of the country just so soon the
great interests Of the nation came to be thrown into
the seething cauldron of political and sectional Iar-
tyism. Men of principle of character, of integrity,
shuddered to be put up in the political shambles
with the demagogue and the timeserver. They
skunk from the unequal contest with tricksters and
the country lost the services of her best men when
she most needed them.
The great sectional contest of 1850 resulted in the
gradual yet early Withdrawal of the leading states
men of the country from its councils and the histo-
ry of the nation for the last twelve years. presents
with but few exceptions continuous strife between
partizan zeaots too mbecie to forsee the rocks and
quickSands which lay in the track of the ship of
State, wicked enough to force her. so reckless of
the common veal, broadside upon them.
1t may touch the pride of the wouldbe statesmen
Of the present age but truth compels the admission
that the present caiames of the country have been
brought upon it, for the lack Of statesmen in our
public cOunci@ and by the reckless, headlong part
gan tricksters WhO hare controlled its destiny for
the last Jfrs OF ten gears.
Controlled and shaped by men of this class both
North and South, what could have been looked for
but revolution which must shake, if not to their
fall yet terribly the very pillars of American liberty?
May Heaven Tnterpose and preserve those pillars at
least which support the arch over Southern free
dom!
Nor has the case been better either North or South
since the revolution began. Let the honest reader
scan for moment the Congresses and the Cabinets
of the two belligerent powers Where the men
in either who were known to the country before or
since the revolution began as possessing profound
craftsmanship and moral worth? Seward is the
only man who had established any reputation as
statesman, but he regarded in both sections as
being more willy and selfish and evdesigning than
wise.
North and South, the military and the politicians,
| minus the statesman, have been combined to man.
! age and control the revolution. West Point had
come to be regarded almost uselcs appendage.
| 1t had skunk away from the public gaze under the
benign influences of peace and the arts of home in
dustry. But as the war-clarion was sounded,
with boots and spurs it strutted forth king, and
straig htway in both sections became the ruling
demi-god.
We think we have proper appreciation of mill
tary talent and of our military The military,
controlled and guided by cool-headed craftsmanship
| is valuable adjunct to the government But men
who study the science of vocation, and
who bear its immediate responsibilities, know how
to train for the field and how to maneuvre
them, but what do they know or care about the
wants, or tie rights of the people2 Our Generals
such Lee, and jackson, and Beauregard, and
| Price, and Longstreet, and others-are the right
men III the right places. But in the conduct of the
war in the South, it cannot be questioned that our
affairs have been controlled too much by what has
seemed for the moment to be military necess
ty," or the exgencies of the times.
To suggest the requisite number of men for the
war or for an emergency; to estimate the wants Of
the cOmmssary, quarter master, ordinance and
medical departments, lie within the duty and the
province of military men, but how and from whence
the men shall be obtained, and how the ways and
to be provided so as to affect least inu-
riously the great body Of the people and the re-
sources of the country are questions belonging
purely to the statesman.
Craftsmanship is fairly presumed to Eno,o to
forecast and to grasp all these important interests
Exgencies emergencies do not thwart the real
statesman. He foresees and provides for them.
But it is palpablc to every reader, that the Con-
crosses and Cabinets of the North and South have
failed utterly to measure the girth of this revolu-
ton, our fanatical and factious politicians who
brought it about failed see or if they saw, cared
not for the dircful consequences which must ensue
The government for the most part, after the
emergency arose. has looked Ito the fire in 'front.'"
but has been oblivious of the fire in the rear"
When the exigency was upon US, it has rushed
pellmell into plans and schemes for building up
large army, but has it stopped to consider the best
safest and least damaging plans to the body of the
people for raising the men and the means? In all
its plans, what has been done for the people ?
What care to provide that the country shall not be
impoverished and ruined at home? What conside-