Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-09


A "SoUR-GRAPKsn VIKw.-s'In these sad times
there is nothing sad than the tyranny of pub
lie opinion on the one hand and the slAvish spirit
that tawns and crouches before it on the other -
Boston Courier.
Mr.. Burton his Anatomy doesn't mention
anything like the chronic melancholy of the
Courier. 1t defes dissection, and escapes def
milton. SO long accustomed to a kind OF
sinister contemplation of human events, it
falls into its moody manners-sometimes for
cause, sometimes peremptorily. Once-some
time last week-its spirits flashed into an I'M
accustomed glow upon receiving the periodi-
cal contribution II is accustomed to levy upon
its friends. The historical parallel between Lii
nus Child, Henry w. Paine, Judge Abbott,
Gov. Gardner and the rest of the happy fam
lily bringing contributions to keep the Courier
from death, End the ancient vestals relightng
the living fire on their affairs, was striking
that the Courier records it, with an apparent
confession of satisfaction. This, however,
was purely exceptional. Its usual status is
to be at war with the conditions of human ex-
istence,-and is only explicable on the theory
that there is something in the organic struc-
ture OF the universe with which the emotions
of the Courier are radically and essentially
Incompatible.
This arrangement Of public opinion is one
of the freaks Of its melancholy madness. Ii
one were disposed to take dusky view of
affairs, and were not a block at the start, he
would find sadder things under his feet, and
jostling together on all sides of him. The
fact that one-third Of the political power OF
the country could be so insensible to public
faith as to commit the gigantic crime of re-
bellion, and successfully maintain it for the
best part of three years; that men who had
the credit Of craftsmanship could add to the
vice of falsehood the crime of perjury and the
capital guilt OF treason, and yet find anywhere
III the civilized world a public opinion that
justified or excused them; that the magnitude
OF the oHense should save the offenders
from the condemnation which would
have pursued them to immortal infamy
tor any smaller crime; that they should have
sympathizers and apologists among those who
still affect a certain deccncy Of self-respect
and sense of personal honor all these cir
cumstances will be combined into one of the
saddest pictures of the times, for which this
generation is responsible. And people will here
after wonder at the marvellous patience Of that
public sentiment which, while the nation was
engaged in a wavering and uncertain struggle
for its life, still left open SO large field OF
free thought and action that Indifferent and
disloyal men could organize partizan conspir-
acles against the government and keep the
whole subject of their unpatriotic conduct
within the range of permitted debate.
Public opinion in this section of the coun-
Try mas never been hard master-the spirit
OF free institutions has been against il Late.
~ the perlis Oh treachery and rebellion have
developed 1t into more watchful and vigorous
life; but Its burdens have never fallen an
obedient and loyal men, rarely upon tho dc
loyal. TO the professional outlaw npbl; ..
opinion is always an Inconvenience. and ire
restraints are among the saddest of the hur-
dens he has had to bear. Ingrates, thieves
highwaymen, traitors, counterfeiters, assassins
all have twinges of melancholy when they have
to confront public opinion which looks vig
lantly to public welfare and safety. And i
will be hard for any onetO enter the lists will
them against such master, and yet escape
the suspicion Of having in some way merited
its stripes.