The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-01-23
For the Democratic Press
Public Opinion.

peculiar than another, it is the ia
with which the people change
their opinions, The public mind
to have no permanent basis
upon which TO build sentiments de-
from reason and logic. The
great mass Of the;peOpl6 have sn.
accustomed themselves to look to
their party leaders for instruction
in the science of government, that
they give themselves no trouble
about the process of reasoning out
conclusions for themselves. Our
government is theoretically based
upon the popular will but upon a
close inspection it will be found
that the popular will is guided by
certain leading men, who contrive
to inStil into them their own opin-
ions and prejudices. 1t is but a
few years since Abolitionism was
held in utter adherence by the
masses of the entire North. Now,
as a military necessity, it is regard
ed with great favor by those who
once denounced it. What has
worked this wonderful change p
Is it that the people have become
more enlightened upon that sub
icct? 1t cannot be that, for in that
case the change would not have
been so sudden This wal has not
developed any facts, tending to the
enlightenment of the public upon
that subject, that it had not done
before. What, then, is it? There
is but one solution Of the question,
and that is, that many Of the prom
inent party leaders have suddenly
become advocates Of emancipation,
as a war measure, and the people
who have hitherto looked to them
for enlightenment, Of course take
it for granted that their leaders are
honest in their new views Of
things, and follow after them.
This question Of negro enamel.
patton, las developed a deplorablt
want Of individual independence
among the people, that is as humil.
iating to our boosted intelligence:
as it is dangerous to our liberties
Let the American people expires:
their honest convictions upon this
Observation-Disclosures by the ad
ministration or party leadcrs-anc
they will uncquiyocally pronounce
against it. What have they tt
gain by such a measure? 1t may
be answered that it will enable tn,
government to put down the rebel
lion. How? Oh, they don't know
but Mr.. Cameron, and Mr. Coch
ranc, and Mr.. Dickinson all say i
will, and therefore, per Sc it mus
I've so. Now let US look this qucs,
ton squarely in the face. Let IL
suppose the decree to go forth tina
the slaves of rebels shall be free
and then what? Arm them, say
you? Arm them! What do they
know about military discipline ?
But suppose they succeed IN butch
orlng their masters, together Will
} their families, of every age, se2
and condition, as they certainly
would do, if their emancipation
should prove successful, and thu
:, put an end to the rebellion, he
| What will be done with them TO
!; their distinguished services? Al
| low them the freedom Of the coun
, try? No, no, you would neve
consent q that. What else WOuli
. Won do with thrm? CoIoniz
= ;Lcm IF Won Owe thcm thoir iii
orty for b.vinS sIovnJ thnir mos
{ low oorlI rnH nLr;Iro Il ~
ronTiriN~ tLcm . o. intS cv;,n
mo aoTornmcnt has no an,horit
for oHriI%;na tIo I;bort;rs Of an
noar ornS,rni,os orI c~ornn
, tn"a tho ,i,,Lf ~ ovsry Stoto +
SoI own ows and insritnt,on.
. 1h"No Sc ~? ;4Oo1r II connot maEo NO
t u"I noo ot '.So o;nn ~ s .inno TTis afro lT
uI,li"No q o,tSt - hn a"iIo
; Iiouo ptEJo0', III It; 0"m ~ v"' Nv
" no ot"cI a'Iii'; "'I Wors ~,