The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-09
The President and his Advisers.


Nobody in Washington knew beforehand
what this letter was to contain. Many fear
cd that the President would forcshadow u
compromise. Insinuations were tclegraphcd
to disloyal journals in this city that certain
privileged eyes had peeped into the letter,
and seen the word amnesty. But there are
no privileged eyes, except his own, that peep
into the Presidents portfolio. Not even the
Cabinet knew tho drift of this letter till tho
newspapers printed it for all the world
Mr.. Lincoln writes his letters and addresses
without the aid either of Cabinet Ministers
or Herald reporters, And Mr.. Lincoln nd.
ministers the government much in tho same
way-at nobody's dictatlon but his own. lie
is not only the head of the gogcrnment-hc
is the government. His Cabinet has func-
ton, but not such function rs many former
Cabinets have had, or as the British Minis.
try has always. In bank or insurance
company, president and board Of directors
carry on the business, the directors having
an authoritative vote. But Abnham Lin
coin is President without board of direc-
tors. His ministers are clerks, not partners;
they have influence but not authority
Properly speaking, there is no Cabinet at
Washington. The constitutional advisers"
arc honorable heads of Departments, where
in each is left to do his own work without
interference by the master, who has conf
dence in his workmen-morc confidence in
some than We wished no possessed. This OK.
plains tho history of the governments poll
cy for the last two years. II has been a his.
tory Of The Presidents oion mind. A little
debating society consisting Of Mr.. Lincoln
and his secretaries, discussing public ques.
tions and by tho major voice debating pol
icy-this is not the method of tho present
Administration. The President listens TO
else who chooses to talk with him, and after
hearing good deal, and mcditating good
deal, he comes to conclusion and that
conclusion is the policy of the government.
The President, therefore, being man
whose mind travels toward new convictions
slowly, has developed his policy slowly
But so far Us he goes, he goes with great
straightforwardness and no uncertainty. II
this man has brought us slowly toward our
safety, another might have carried us swift.
ly to our destruction. II in walking among
rocks ho has taken such pains to put his feet
where they would not slip that sometimes he
has stood still, yet every step, when oncc
trkcn, has boon toward higher ground. The
man whose hand is row on tho helm, while
he is not forcing tho ship into quick pas
sage, is plotting her into safe one. The
debt OF gratitude which this nation owes to
Abraham Lincoln is thus every day becom-
ing moro apparent. The instincts Of a great
people arc not deceived concerning man
whom they love. Abraham Lincoln is q man
beloved Of tho people. They know him for
an honest man, and they put their trust in
him. He is to-day the most popular citizen
nomination were to be mado Tomorrow
though our first choice might DO another
man-yet the likeliest candidate to carry of
the honor OF the nomination would DO Abb
raham Lincoln.
A journey to Washington has quickencd
our faith in the government. Unlike n year
ago, the atmosphere of that city now braces
hope and courage. Men now going there
can come away bringing with them an aug.
mented confidence in the great resources Of
the government, and in tho fidelity with
which these are applied to the uses of the
war. All the blunders, all tho tardiness, al
fhe red.tape, cannot quench the great fact
that the government has set its heart and
soul upon putting down tho rebellion and
that the rebellion will be put down. One
cannot talk an hour with the President
without feeling that whoever else may doubt
the issue of tho war, Abraham Lincoln |
doubts not ut all. Not naturally sanguine
man, he yet believes that no is now shutting |
his hand upon the prize of victory. When
sober minded men feel enthusiasm, and slow
going men think the end is near, and over
cautious men like Mr.. Lincoln feel confident
not only OF to-day but of tomorrow, let the
country at large be doubly confident that
the crown Of triumph is near within reach,
and the Presidents hand will pluck It.
The President seeks peace. But the peace
which he means to establish is not what the
peace party asks. lilo seeks something bet. |
ter and noblcr-a settlement at which, hon.
ester men than these clamorers shall not be
ashamed--a record which shall not be regis.
tered in blots on our page Of history. He
airps ut peace that shall make this Repub. |
lie the chief among tho powers of the earth
a peace founded on that Righteousness which |
exalteth q nation peace that shall first
vindieate the great American idea Of human
liberty and tho dignity OF man, and after
ward shall rest upon the land like blessing
of heayen.-Independent.