Washington telegraph., 1863-11-25

another nlmber Of the National Democrat
edited By G. ". Meador, dated Nov. lOtb
brings over us one of those vague and ;nay
plicable feelings which make us sometime
doubt against our rational convictions) wbeth
er or not we are the right sort of man NJ
always feel this when we reflect that va -
born in Shelbyville, Tennessee We fasl IL
same sort OF uneasy doubt when we remamba
Nashville. There we slept two years in m
same bed with John Hugh Smith. II has ban
pened too that some of the men that we wont.
have :" grappled to our soul with boots OF
steel," " such as VIM b. Campbell. have tuned
traitors, and now the old haunt comes oyr us
again when " e find that Meador com nIrnents
us. His leading editorial opens as fotows.
THE Washington Telegraph of the 18Th Oct.
published in Washington. Hempsted county,
and edited by John Z. Eakin, Is reserved. Mr.
Eakin is chaste, classical, and elegant writer.
and no paper which he controls can be said to
be badly edited. We knew hiIa when a strong
Union man and supporter Of Bell and Everett
in 1860. We are sorry he dill not hold on to the
faith, but would be nevertheless glad to add the
Washington Telegraph again to our list Of ex-
changes If there was not such difficult gulf be-
tween u.s.
We did not know whether to laugh or be
vexed ut this, but whepwe come to the follow.
ing we were subdued The milk of our kind
ness bubbled to the surface. Speaking of our
article on CAN'T he says:
''But the editor, referring to the policy now
put forw to insrre obedience to the govern
ment, says, "Wbo authorizes Steele to do il,
much less tools like CAN'T aud Meador, springes
to catch woodcocks." Now that is the nkind-
est cut Of all, and rather diversion from the
usual gontle ttnc Of the Telegraph"
We vere wrong. Meador had a right to
% Ha ika
CAN'T, fire eater at first, and coward at
last. sneaking out of scrape into which he
had pushed others, unwilling 10 share the con-
sequences Of his own act We will rot retract
the word ''tool." but will explain with regard
to Meador. He has always been Union man,
and is consistent. He may be honest. Who
are we to judge Of that? But he has assumed
position to make hi-self the tool Of others,
voluntarily or involunta:ily, honestly or dis
honestly. He takes press. robbed by military
force from citizen of Arkansas, accepts it
from the General, gratis we apprehend, and
sets about the PRONUNCIATION Of doctrines art
fully designed to forward the purposes Of that
general in restoring the civil COVE, nment Of
the old Union here. He may believe what he
writes, but editorially he is the creature of
Steele, and forwards his plans. That is being
q tool We have no feeling towards him. We
spare him the sentiment we feel towards CAN'T
TIE leading articles of the paper continue
the old song The charming goes on. Under
Federal rule alone we 10 find peace aud
protection. These are the ''springes 10 catch
woodcocks," haits for gulls. Steele may be
removed soon, or his orders may be changed.
His romises OF protection, express or implied,
will be sswhistled down the wind by the adj
ministration, urged on by Black Republican
clamor. All who have taken part in the re-
hellion mus; suffer the penalty of conhscation
at least; IL even all seeded States be not held
in suhjugation as territories.
When the wine makers first crush the tender
grape, and throw il into the wine press, they
apply no pressure. The free wine runs forth
and discharge. itself for a little while. Then
the pressure is applied gradually, and new
streams gush FORTH anon that ceases and the
screw comes DOWN slowly and regularly, until
the whole mass becomes solid cake, and the
last drop is exhausted.
So they work, wisely and warily, TO ascom-
pish their objects They know that every step
gained is irrevocable. Who accepts them once
can never retract Alasl how many good men
whom we still respect, have been led to ruin.
They use no force. All the mislei people
come in voluntarily. Then begins the gentle
pressure New orders, and then again more
stringent order. Day by day, week by week
new turns Of the screw are applied, until ai
length the last drop Of property and sentiment
Of pride may be squeezed from the people.
"Slow dropped from misery's crushing
presses.
There il no protection again for any OF u:
under Federal rule. Read the administration
papers for that. If we are once in their power
! by fair means or FOUL our doom is sealed fol
slavery.