Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-22
THE RIGHT USE OF WORDS.


duced by defects of form in the enunciation or
Interpretation of measures of public policy, to
which, In point of substance, loyal citizens might
have few if any objections. 1t follows from tbs
consideration that those charged with the initiation
of such measures should be careful to guard them
against all exceptions which may be well taken by
candid and Intelligent friends of the country, and
it equally follows that those who sit in Judgment
on such measures should be careful not to give
them construction of which they were not meant
to be susceptible, and which cannot be impressed
on them without creating dissensions in the ranks
of loyal men.
But questions of form arc not the only grounds
o. difference among the supporters of the Govern
ment in the present juncture. There are also
questions Of ,oords growing out of the different
dialects used by men in defining the objects OF
the war, or in giving expression to its animaslng
motives. There are these who seem to think that
the language of turbulence and hate is the peculiar
speech of the true and fervid loyalist. Mi taking
violence for free, they deal in perpetual impre-
cations of wrath and vengeance-mere parlous
words, which nerve no arm in defence of the
Constitution, though they may haply serve to
make more rigid that which is raised against it,
We are Of these who hold that the highest form
of opposition to the insurgents is found in the en-
battled hosts of tho Republic sent forth to sup
press naturalization, and that those who uphold
the hands of the Chief Magistrate in the enforce
ment of law are not called to mngle the corrosons
of human passion with the execution of justice
Earnest men do not indulge in rant They
Judge the work in which the nation is engaged to
be too solemn to admit Of idle fanfaronade and the
issues already joined are, in their eyes, too ire
mendous to call for the Intervention of those who
in the WORDS of the Hon. Richard II. Dana, would
"theorize with bayonets and dogmatize in blood !"
As specimen Of the language that should be held
by the true and intelligent loyalst at this iuncture
we cite the following observations, made by the
Hon. ROBERT G. WINTHROP, on the occasion of
the triennial festival held at Faneuil Hail. in Pos
ton, on the 18th instant, by the Massachusetts,
Charitable Mechanic Association. If such words,
inspiredsby such temper, could become the ac-
cepted dialect of all who profess to support the
Government, the hearts of men would soon flow
together in union which would make their hands
as strong as their voices would be concordant.
We quote the essential portion of Mr. Winthrop's
remarks
There is one service which the Mechanics of Boston
rendered long not indeed to own city alone nor
to our Commonwealth only. but to our whole coun-
try and to mankind, which at this of all Others
must not be and cannot be forgotten i aude as you
may have anticipated to the leading and decisive part
which they played just threequaters of century ago.
10 securing the adoption Of the Constitution of the United
States by the Convention of Massachusetts You all,
am sue, remember the story. There is Tothng
worthy of remembrance in the history of Boston Me-
shauics.
You all remember that meeting at the old Green Ora
gon in January 13 and those resolutions which were
transmitted Samuel Adams for the special instruction
of hims II aud John Hancock by the hand Of your e. st
President Paul Revere. Yes, bath Samuel Adams and
John Hancock ded the instruction Of the Boson Me-
chancs of that day. and they received it and conf rmed
to it, 1t is hardly much to say that but for those re-
solutions then and there passed by the Pa Mechaucs
of 17SS the adoption of the Federal Constitution would
have failed And need add that of all the mighty and
marvellous engnery to the invention to the operation
of hich the mechanic mind or the mechanic has
contributed, the Constitution OF the United States is
still the Masterpiece Great applause. For, cir, when
speak of the Constitution speak Of the UnInn which
lis direct aud designed result There ud have been
IF, ctive and p rmunent Union without that Consu-
ton. There coud have been Mt that day. There
be at this True Mr. President il is no simple
machine. 1t somewhat complex in s construction It
ged aud sometimes be thrown out OF grar and like every
thing else Of merely mortal mould IL proof against
such Wanton and wicked attempts ubstruct s opera
ton aud destroy ia checks and balances and brow
IT. entire organ on those which are now suffer
ing Yet taken for in ALL tcssd by it, practical ope-
ration for than hreescore Years and ten the W. lid
has nothing wiser b. trnothng 90 wise or SO
good and the most effort ard the most feryent
prayer of each of shn ud BE- that it may come ont
safely from the great trsl TO which il subjected
ard be restored ~ in all its original proper
tons AMI in all it, natche's symmetry prolonged ap
| plause
I'll do not forget, Mr. President that this rest ra
ton must primarily be accomplished by force Of arms
There alternative and sub ttute this moment
f. hard blows in it, d-fe,ce. Applause We must
fight, aud flht aud unto us il we d. not ph
with I'll our CHIT against Ill, who are striving Ia bres
up this great machine OF free government. Great APP
plause We must sus ain the powers flat be reiuoic
ing the military arm 81 the nation, and in bringing il down
with the whole sire 9Th Of the uya States The bead
OF the Insurgents Mos hearth .do wish that any word
Of moe Gu all ia aniustnI my fe low-countrymen to
such united and vigorous on>et ~ might oyerw helm
their uh0ly Tebcl0 az ard forever Most heartily
do wish That III" whole population at the Loyal States
could be seen rising at last without regard to-
present politics TOR to future p0crs and resolving that
the military power ~ the rebellion should b. ovprtbrogn
al any and every c,rt We ouah mt ea.t to achieve sue
eign Intervention aud dictate avn terms OF peace
| | plGuse
| Let me not, hOwevC-, be misDTderstOd. | am not
ore OF ttUe any such there be- who believe that
besides bard blows is rrqg ID TER the restoration Of our
| below Uuion rem orcsd and triumphant amy Ia
the rs5 thing aud have the Foremost place in al orr
thoughts aud efforts. But II is not tie oay thup have
always been # pni'n that just generous. conclistory
policy should accompany advancing cts, vr ut least
follow behind tn, DO not fri