Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-30
THE PERSON AND OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.

We referred few days ago to an eloquent speech
delivered in the House Of Representatives on the
2Sth Of February last by the Hon. ALBERT G.
RIDDLE, of Ohio, in which he made allusion to the
uncomfortable drift of events underlying the phe
nomena Of the present war, as specifically regard
ed in its mere Incidents, in the persons Of some
who have been charged with its conduct in the
field. Personal views Of military policy, and per-
sona or political prepossessons 10 favor Of particu
lar Generals against others, have been too com
monty allowed to give their color to much that
passes for military criticism" but which is really
nothing but the reflection Of private and individual
prejudices.
This evil, belonging as it does to the in6rmities
of human nature, is peculiar to no party, but has
found its illustrations among the representatives Of
sli opinions. Mr. EVERETT, in his recent oration,
has referred to this fact when he says and truly,
that the Administration "has been as literally
supported by those who did not as by those who
did contribute to place it in power, and as formida-
bly, assaled by its nominal adherents as by its re-
puted opponents" And our readers can attest how
frequently we have taken occasion to deprecate the
tone of disparagement and complaint held towards
the President by many from whom he had pecu-
liar right to expect candid consideration, if not
always unquestioning support, which latter the
President does not ask from any whose support is
worth having.
But it is not difficult to reconcile the maxims of
self-respect and of independent judgment with
sentiments Of respect for the person and the Office
of the President of the United States, however OBJ
livious some people may seem to be Of the fact.
And all criticism which transcends the bounds Of
free discussion, and which is inspired by personal
or political antpathies, whether coming from Re-
publican or Democrat, from Conservative or Radi-
CAL must be pronounced unjust at all times, and
specially inopportune at the present juncture. 1t
is impossible of course to lay down general rules
this topc for the obligations of which we speak
fall within the domain Of political ethics, and will
be differently construed according to each mans
moral perception Of what is due to himself and to
the authorities at this crisis.
We have REQUIRED to this subject, and to the
speech of Mr. RIDDLE, for the purpose of repro
ducing in our columns SO much of the latter as re-
lates to the person and Office of the President, as
involved in the present war. This war, in i'm
posing on the President duties OF unexampled
magnitude, difficulty, and complexity, has neces-
sarily devolved upon him corresponding RESPONSE
bities. From these responsibilities he cannot es-
cape, and it is right that his conduct should be
canvassed with the independence which springs
from intelligence inspired by patriotism, but never
L.. ~ he m find MI
which springs from prejudice inspired by faction
The servility that seeks to find him always and ne
oessarily right, is perhaps more ignoble form of
faction, but it affords excuse for that systematic
vilifcation which Mr.. RIDDLE rebukes in the fol-
lowing remarks, extracted from the speech we have
designated:
How easy it is to abuse traduce and denounce That
it requires neither wit grace, truth, 10 illustrated by
the assaults OF those gentlemen the President shall
enter upon laudaon Of the President yet there are
words deem it fitting now for TO say in refer
ence to him.
Sir the Executive is the Of tho people under our
Constitution and with it only deal blow upon
the rebellion. He who would strike that, with this
arm, strikes fully upon our own cause Whoever
strengthens this arm strengthens the national who
ever weakens it, strengthens the enemy For the time
being the other branches of the Government might well
be n ubeyance that all energies might 90 swell the
mighty muscles Of that arm To all, all must be
risked You cannot separate the Executive from the
persona Of the President and whatever detracts from
him personally weakens the Executive force whatever
elevaes him gives it added strength So that whatever
shakes the confidence of The people, any Of them in the
capacity integrity OF the President by just much
aids the rebellion that which strengthens confidence
in him gives vigor to the national cause.
The President without the people, aud oil of them can
no conduct this to successful issue than can
the people without him. Alone matter what are bis
qualities he would be the feeblest driveer that
ever pershed under great catastrophe and the people
must perish with him With united people, he is ire
sstibe spite Of mistakes and accidents united peo
pie and President control fate and compel success
They must stand together, and unutterabe to the
wretches whose words deeds shall separate them |
From this it follows that if the President will not 20 with
last franchise free people will surrender, and mil
lions will exercise it 10 the midst Of matter what calam
ties They will discuss the events and management Of the
1t is their war, and the humbest Of them has
interest it equal TO that Of the first citizen and they
must and may discuss hs acts with free and manly ken
But submit If the just limit of criticism and manly debate
has not been bruty outraged 10 the fierce denuncaons
Of the President by gentlemen this floor and which have
been caught up and reechoed BY their partisan press
masses power earth could from destruction
for they would shiver the only that must bring
safety And too speak Of the ceaseess tide of crt
cisms-shall call t1-that has deuged to drowning all
the military operations Of the Administration Was this
world before enriched with such quantity Of
such valuable commentary the art Of and by uch
masterGeneras BY instinct and the grace Of Godi For
year and half this luminous tide has swept u.s.
and will mortal tell Of good the least that has
waited upon these critics What mistake has been avoided
what error retrieved, what blunder redeemedi And
hat iaso for