Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-05-09
rns pnst and the Present.

subseq ucnt developments throw a clear light
upon the past, it is the part Of practical wisdom
to accept the instruction. Indeed, tho chief
use of the p&st is to profit by IL But ques
lions OF tho nast which still remain matters cs
speculation, can scarcely DO usetuliy referred
to as our guides in the present.
1t will he readily understood, therefore, that
We do not here intend 70 devote many words
to those measures Of policy, ofwhch the occa~
sion is gone By, and Of which the merits gro not
vet apparent. We gi!i merely suggest few
thoughts Tor the consideration OF those whose
minds are troubled, and whose Yea! perhaps lie
chilled, by the belief that OR government has
made great II not fatal blundess, lii the ,uan>
sgetnsut O: the wsr. IL will be a relief and an
o,ccura cement to them to Zee; that pernaps
after nil they theuEeives arc mistaken.
Nothing, indeed, is moro natural th-n tue
soljci,udo win which tho people look On,
while pres.dsat Davis holds the rims OF state.
iris solic!tude, approaching to distfns', is
seap, in liz measure, in all these csses in which
The interests Of one arc committed 20 the skili
of another. How often docs a patient wish TO
interfere With the prescription OF his pny-
sic;an. person who would no! venture 20
drive himself. is prone to ss;aa tho reirs II
danger ttreaten-the very timo when be
sbopId mos, iorbssr. There ars many who
csnnot even sit by In patience while another
stirz tho common i.s; they think thoy could
d, j! better. So now, wLun tho whole Uouiede
rncy is profoundly agitated by the most awful
iaterss.s-when liber:y, and independence,
ant: property, and life itself are tie stake
when ms peaceful! pursuits 0! the country are
parals zad OF destroyed, and Every man stands,
amid ihe perits ard exc!!ements Of war, to
await the result: IS no wonder list he
TO y hcsa lands tho guidance Of our strength
and the management Of OUT resources have
bsen canfided. should DO locked 10 ~ith many
saxiaties. and that sfer avery decision he
may maha, there should be great many 70
four shat il w.s not the best It would be
strange were il o;hcrEiss. There ara doubts
less'many who you'd !Gsu55..e at the thought OF
hsviug Mr.. Davis's responsibilities thEoHn
upon chem, and who would themselves sect
the ids, that they would DO equal 70 the po--
sitter, and who yet. through tnonsGtossneSs,
feel themselves competent 10 advise and Greet
hin, especially upo1 the most difficult sn5
;:cis and " hea cxisercies are NOS. critical
Thev wish him tc fo!ow their judgment on lis
responsibility.
AL this, ~e say, is ,hs iruit Of anntursi in
pulse; out it IL the part Of wisdom to r:sat-a!n
impulses The people 5avo right to feel ard
10 Judge AID to speak upon the grave circuIl.
stances which invest Us; end they ought 10 DO
so. But when We wish to control the Iaar-
agement OF Affairs tho opinions which We form
should &c well considered, and the plans re
propose should be practical and capable Of
being pus Ii execution.
|. las been frequently dcplored that our
&alsssas ar..:y, alter tie battle OF last July,
did not prtas fOvrarl to :hc capture Of Wash~
ington city. Va join 10 the ~ish shat i: had
done SO, because it would have bee. Inost
t.ndsomc achievement, attended With large fame
srd stEe advantage, sud because it has Stage
appeared thut it was practicable. Blu. Inc
extraordinary benefits which you'd hhgo re-
Suited, exist u,sg,!y IN tie fal,cy. Some 80 so
far ~ to suppose tia! !! 1;'uld have ended the
var Surely these do nat consider that tho
capture OF Washington would, in 40 GPprccis-
bic degree. have affected tho strength Ct the
Northern people. 1t s an old maxim applica-
Die TO hostile relations, "never strike man
unless VOC intend 10 weaken him; yoa but
euergso him" The capture Of Washington
would have bt.:, more Of slap in the face
to the Nsr:b, than stunning blos. Il would
hsvs STIMULATED 1oorc than il would have it,
undated them.
An esteemo1 contemporary, hat is much n
The baoit Ct dcploring the iussiir'sble loss
FROM 4 failure 10 sezs 90 Washington, mas, in
a. Article which 40 copy to-day, shown OF
was; ltt!o real significance IS ;as csp:are OF
an cnemys ca,iss!. And if this position can
hs maintained by European illustrations, how
much mere is 1t true II = CGrtederscy, and OF
a town like Washington o! no commercial or
manufacturing vslus.
Another gre.. cause of Reconsideration, IS
ti,ai we have 40: n;ada this s VAT Of invasion ;
and wo aro told IN glowing but truthful terms,
how Diact better il would ha to make the
enemy feel tho evils thsy ia1iof Oh US than
to suffer them ourselves Ws are told that #e
should march eosana into Philaoelphis,
without delay and il IS truly said thai this
would be fal. better than to h.'u 10 NEE! the
enemy OF tie Peninsula
Thsss are fuo sentences. They remind us
o. young farmer who rspToachsd an older
ono for his dilatosy policy. VI intend 10 make
my fsvln garden.spot Jorthaith," re said ;
'ani TIA will be a great desl better than to be
caliivsting, it may bc for years, inperlsctiy i'm
proved lands" The old iaTrnar quietly agreed
that i. was out his iaTE is nos rich, while
the young .aan's is given tc th'st!es "nd
brers.
II it rested with oEE moro will no should
take &c: Poildtlphis orr, but New York, snd
take taeu "icSttwth." Nay, Il re could
vault ia lao. as we oan in fancy, Sc should
haze conquering army il Boston this night.
That would truly te e gsand accomplish
ment.
Bat var is nc; a thing Of dsy-aresrls End
aerial castle building 1t is sulinently and
stsrniy practical. Eo.nancers may iungiac
4. battle and victory but they VII! nevc7
E:r che. Ths newspaper generals !" no sd0ise
.hst rs should leap down upon roUute North,
ern cities, wculi hardly undertake to guide
the way. I: mag ne beneath their genius &c
odrisa exrlaili Les MA; x..lI..lis than thaaa O