Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-01-17
Censurirg the Government and Army.

motions of the government and army in
wiping them out but a. little reflection
has invariably restrained this feeling 1t
is both natural and easy to find fault
God himself, is neither wise enough, nor
good enough, to escape the eensure of His
imperfect creatures. As. a general thing
the worst people find fault the most-near-
ly all the fancied goodness Of many con-
sisting in meddling with other peoples bu-
sincss, and pointing out and condcmuing
imaginary defects. The higher the posi-
ton of an individual, and the more diff
cult and responsible his duties are. the
more apt are small minds to censure him.
A generous and great mind, not onl y COM
prebends the difficulties incident to high
position and an extraordinary emergency,
but also comedies to others both ability
and integrity, and hence naturally con-
cedeS that all is, so far as possible, for the
best. 1t is exceedingly common for peo-
pie to censure their superiors, relating to
matters of which they possess, compare
lively speaking, no knowledge whatever;
when a thorough knowledge of the matter
would secure appreciation and even admi-
ra ion of the course pursued.
The above views will explain vast
proportion of the censure which has been,
and still is heaped upon the government
and army. Have the President and Cab
met any less desire to suppress this rebel
lion than the best of the people? Fave
they less ability to perceive and execute
the plans which are best adapted to re-
store the integrity and peace of the coun-
try? Have they less favorable mea Ms and
opportunities of judging, in vi!w Ct all
the circumstances? Or, Do those men
who are so ready to profess wisdom supe-
rior to our rulers, give the matter they so
hastily and erudely judge, one tenth part
the consideration which is devoted by the
men whom they SO readily censure? If we
do not greatly mistake, the answer which
must be given to these inte1 rogatories will
show, that the indiscriminate and album
dant censure which is cast upon the gov
eminent and army, manifests the most
glazing folly, involving consequences as
pernicious as the practice is foolish. This
censure of the men, and of the army-who
are probably doing quite as well as would
the men who ccnsure them were the latter
in theit places-is no mark of, either ex-
traordinary intelligence or patriotism but
rather the reverse. In general, there is
no better rule than mainly to leave the
responsible duties and matters apporta1n-
ing to high offices to the men whom the
people have elected to fill them. By this
we do not mean that no attention whatev-
er should be given to what government and
the army are doing but censure should
not be cast upon them until we are certain
that blunders or faults impeaching intelli-
gence or motives h ave been committed
by the men in power. An editor, lawyer,
OF. doctor, &c. NC, takes upon himself to
correct government and critcse our best
generals when it is evident that the self
constituted judge is not one tythe as capa-
bic of acting in the matter as the child of
four years old is to administer the bust
ness and household affairs of bis father ii
What world of pity, that this sapient ed
itor, doctor, lawyer, &c. &C., had not
been made President, or appointed gener-
al ; instead of the men now in place i
What relief to the country it would be,
aye, tothe world also, if this second Solo
mon could only become the confidential ad-
wiser of the Cabinet and army After all,
were the thoughtless mortal only once to
feel the responsibility sn hour he would
probably be like the boy who become an
apprentice and, at the close of week, was
sorry that be learned the trade -
Men in power, like other men, have
light no Judge for themselves, relating to
heir own duties, and to adopt what they
believe to be the best modes in the pre-
misses; and that too, without being yelp-
I'd at by every sDrig Of self Importance who
nay chance to know how to use a pen, or
yag his tongue. If this rule of censuring
people were carried out, the world would
become more pandemonium than it now
s. How admiral le-every man attend
ng to every ones business but bis own |!
The very contemplation of such picture
hould be enough to stop the mouths of at
cas-; 99-100 of these croakers. Traitors.
ithcr in or out of the army,in the employ of
government or ewhere-base motives, by .
7homsoevcr entertainsd-love of slavery. .
be most hateful manifestation of depravi-
' under Leayen,-want Of courage to do
uty amidst difficulties and dangers-al ,
hesc and their like we may and should t
ensure; but these are essentially differ
mt things from policy adopted by the
government. 1t is manifest that multi
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