Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-02-19
TIMELY WORDS or WISDOM.

Mr. CoLLAMER, by some remarks which he Of
fered in the Senate on Wednesday last, made it
evident that he belongs to the number of those who
are able to reconcile the obligations Of loyalty with
the duty Of always being true to themselves by re-
specting their honest convictions of public right
and expediency. There is always in every poiti-
cal community class of men who cannot under
stand such fidelity to principle, because, having
themselves strong convictions to respect con-
sistenoy of conduct to maintain, they naturally
take at secondhand whatever passes the pre-
dominant will Of tho g constituted authorities"
These constituted authorities" it is true, never
fail to appreciate at its proper value the quality Of
such supersorviceable support, and are accus-
toned always to look elsewhere for that guidance
aud enlightenment which spring from free but ho-
nest discussion. They, if not their retainers,
always able to discriminate between factious and
loyal opposition, for the former is as unreasonng
in its antagonism as the latter is unquestioning in
its acquiescence.
We do not ourselves concur at all points with
Mr.. Cosmer in the application he gives to the re-
marks made by him on Wednesday last Resist
ing as we did, in common with him, the inaueura-
tion of the "legal-tendcr policy" as being, how
ever necessary" or "expedient," of very doubt
full consttutionality, we have from the first, look
ed with favor on the National Banking System Of
Mr.. Secretary Chase, if, as we did not doubt, it
could be so moduated as not to come in too great
conflict with existing banking rights, of long stand
ing and liberation, in the several States
But, without raising any question as to the ap-
plicability of the observations made by Mr.. Cola
mer in discussing this measure, have to express
our entire concurrence with him in the theory he
propounds respecting the right and duty of an Ame
rican Senator citizen to canvass with freedom,
if always with candor, the of the present
equally with those Of every preceding Administra
tion. Doubtless it is our duty, in passing judg-
sent incumbenis of official place, to take into con-
sideration the extraordinary difficulties with which
they called to cope, for this is the dictate of
candor. But it is, at the same time, our right as
well as our duty to consult, in word and act, for
the interest of the Republic, rather than IN the in
terest Of those who are its temporary agents, re-
membering, in the idea of Cicero, that putchrum
est bene Jacere reipublca, etiam Jene deere baud
absurdam est.
1t is no part, however, of our present purpose to
expand these ideas, which belong to the most ele-
mcntary notions Of free government, but simply to
introduce few extracts from the speech in which
they find illustration and enforcement. During
the of his remarks the distinguished Senator
from Vermont spoke as follows, and his words are
words of truth and soberness whatever differences
may obtain as to the particular application he
gave them on the occasion of their utterance:
In the fret place, would say that do not regard
this measure in sny respect connected with the
1t is not war measure. am the more willing to put il
in that light from this consideration have observed thst
almost every thing that asked for especially If IL asked
for with any degree Of pertnsciy put that ground
it is either military necessity or political nrcessty or
you cannot keep the Union together without t,
thing Of that kud by which are appealed t., t. let
conscience aud discernment gn, and obey the
dictates pressed upon us do not view this Of that
Il am aware that in times of national violence and
especially domestic violence, have ILLUSTRATORS
the principle laid down by MOutesqueu, that power is
always at war with its own boundaries it s always rest
less with its own mi.ations aud making those
limitations and constantly inclBet to the sxercise
Of doubtful powers the ground Of necessity when
there is violence sganst Go o the verge Of power
the present tendency perhaps pay overstepp
it. 1t is in that direction that need caution Now
would IL pe worth Wnle 10 moment AID
quire whether really have the power homes
functions candidy constituting the CONSTITUTE m to do
this great thing am sensible that speaking ia d
time when any sort Of doubt about power received
somewhat dangerous doctrine any way Still would say
a word on that point.
"Mr Pr.sident, arguments are used, CT some
thugs that are called arguments, to which hardly
trust myself to reply for tear shall be waniog in our
sy Ii has been ure than ntlmnted TO this debate
that il will not give up the protection of any local
that stands the way OF the great national pro.
blem before be unfaithut t, the Government can
not do it on this occasion know, too that men-I will
not call bsd names-poltica reforners ct up project
which, with them, is ideal perfection and m absolute
necessity and they have worked upon Il unit, they have
got into that condition when they hiuk every thing on
earth NUT give way IT. and every thing thb does not
give way to it is enemy to the country and eve man
who does not agree to It's enemy 10 the TRY To add
to that told in the Senate that the whole Cabinet
in its favor Mr. President II is not many years since
would hsve been called to order for using
Of that hi I'd in the Senate Men have been called ord
for such expressions II gsaon to be left to the Hot sc
of Rel reseatvps ad the Senate il 10 the exercise of
their judgment not the authority Of others which to
ve currency and support 10 mea'ure' 1it has t.
this that il 10 be than intnated that not
to consult understanding, not to indulge ourseses in
oning alb ut matter, but 10 he told catedra
by the organ the Admin traton the Cabinet de,e
and all favor Of certain th ng argument to
induce into 1t, It seems to me that mp DE-
gree Of subse vicncy that hardly be expected
II intend t. consult my Judgment tie discharge
Of my ccis duties If other gentlemen willing To-
let th ir swing loose from its oorings ard
to consult their Judgments In refeeuce to