Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-09-02
For the Urbana Union.
Some Words for the Hour.

THESE are times when no man can be
neutral, when every one is forced to an
expression of his opinion on the all-ab-
sorbing questions connected with the
public interest Those who have no
earnest opinions of their own, and but
little knowledge to guide their zeal, be-
come most clamorous on the popular
side, content to be one of large majori-
Ity, measuring the patriotism of their
party by the size of the crowd which
eompOses it. Such people are always
ready to join in the cry of prescription
against those who differ with them, and
though in general they may be a good
sort of people, they will sanction any
barbarity called for by their leaders, and
may be led to acts Of mob violence which
make the soul shudder in calmer mo-
ments.
Others there are whose habits of
thought have always run in a particular
channel They are men of one idea, ia
naticsl, and hail every event, however
horrible, which tends to the establish
ment of their cherished theories. Such
men generally have some intellect, warp
ed though it be, and become leaders of
the blind and less earnest multitude.
They are very tender of other mems con-
sciences, and
COMPOUND for sins they are inclined to,
By damning those they have no mind to-"
Careful of their own personal safety,
they are very willing that thousands
should be inundated on the altar of their
fanatieism, and are Cromwells in all but
courage-Crusaders in all but knightly
chivalry. The very objects Of their phi
lanthrOpy suffer the most acute miseries
under their beneficial mismanagement.
Woe to the country that comes under
their domination
| Another class seize the golden oppor-
tunity to ride into office and emolument,
willing to swallow anything, however ab-
surd, to do anything, however mean, to
crush anybody, however exemplary, who
stands in the way of their aggrandize-
ment. After me the deluge,n is their
motto. Infdels at heart, they know no
law but self interest Their patriotism
knows no bounds while It fills their pur-
ses. They change their politics to suit
the times, and can always find plausible
excuses for their inconsistency. They
are generally violent and denunciatory
towards their opponents, and are clam
orOus in pledgiug their lives, their for
tunes, and their sacred honor, &c.
Some there are, who cannot change to
suit the popular whim. Their lifelong
opinions have become part of themscI-
YES, and they are too honest to make pre-.
tences merely because self interest de-
mands it. Deluded they may be, but
when man sacrifices his pecuniary in
terests, his position in society, and his
most cherished social relations, before he
will yield assent 20 principles which he
deems false, and policy which seems to
him injurious to his country, we have
reason to presume that he is at least hon
est. Persecution only renders such
man frmer. He is never converted by
violent measures. For time he may
indure ensult and oppression with calm
ness, and remain quiet under great prov
oeatiOns; but there is danger in pushing
him too far. Persons who have the nerve
to stem the popular current, and the con-
science to stand by their principles to
their own detriment, are no despisable
foes when once reused to resistance.
There are men of all parties who are
honest and earnest-Rho truly love their
country, and would willingly risk all,
even life itself, in its behalf. Thought
ful, intelligent and observing, they Judge
for themselves on all the great questions
of the day. Firm in their own views,
they yet allow others to differ from them,
and endeavor by calm, sensible argument
to convince rather than to force. When
action becomes necessary, they are ener.
getic but not barbarOus. They are calm
in adversity, and magnanimOus in pros
perity. They are the salt Of the earth,
and though they rarely come in for the
highest honors, their influence is always
felt, and their reward will come sooner or
later
Such must be the men to bring peace
and prosperity to our distracted cOun-
try.
A BACHELOR editor, sensitive in rela-
ton to his rights, objects to taking wife
through fear that if she had a baby, his