Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-16
/ THE TIDE OF WAR.

Hon. ALBERT g. RIDDLE, of Ohio, he forcibly al
luded to the fact that all mere personal criticism
on men or measures, so far as they relate to the
conduct of the war must be poweress to arrest the
drift of events which have gained momentum and
volume that places them beyond the control of
individuals or of parties To this effect he said:
Gentlemen denounce the Presidents policy Of the
war Sir remember that Others too. used to complain
the same way and just if the President responsible
for it, and could furnish policy for the war The war is
greater than the President greater than the two Houses
OF Congress; greater than t1e people, with the De-
mocracy thrown in greater than all together aud controls
them all, and dictates its own policy"
Those who suppose that great revolutionary
movement like that initiated by the disunion lead
ers, and which, in its progress, has enlisted 50
many fierce passions on the one side and on the
other, can be managed by the ordinary devices Of
party, commit mistake which argues but little
for their sagacity. Doubtless there are many in
the Republican party who, few months ago, were
ready to give in their adhesion to the proposition
made by Mr.. Greeley, when on I'D of January last
hesuggested the cxpediency Of accepting " the best
attanable peace" if on or about the middle Of this
month the Union arms had not succeeded in max
ing such serious impression on the military power
of the rebellion as to presage its early overthrow
And doubtless there is small portion of the Dem
ocratc party which, despairing of the conquest of
the insurgents by the authorities who now conduct
the war; are explicit in favoring what is called "e
policy Of pacfcation" These latter profess, bow
ever, to be unaterably attached to the maintenance
of the Union, and do not openly contemplate any
best attainable peace" which necessarily implies
willingness to give the Union up if the stress Of
"mslignant fate" should seem to be against it.
But those who thus reason, either with Mr. Gree
ley or with Mr.. Fernando Wood, seem to have
taken into little account the momentum of the vast
shakes the land Ii is to initiate the folly of King
Canute, who, in the familiar story which still
amuses the childish sense of boyhood, is repre-
sented to lave said to the rising tide of the ocean,
Hither shalt thou come and no farther, and here
shall thy proud waves be stayed" There are tides
in the affairs of men which can be as little con-
trolled by words and wishes as the mighty rushing
waters in the channel of Fundy.
Doubtless there are many patriotic citizens who
see, or imagine themselves to see, much that they
must deploIe in the conduct of the war by those
who are consttutionally charged with its prosecu-
ton. The Committee of Congress, which has just
spread before the country its impeachment of the
military administration, is not alone in its CON-
plants, but for this it does not follow that political
opposition to the Administration in any of its de-
partments need take on the shape prefgured either
by the New York Tribune or by the patrons of the
Peace Democracy" Under this head Mr.
Everett in his recent eloquent speech, invoking a
cordial and earnest cooperation of all loyal citizens
at this crisis, spoke as follows
"The existing Administration came into Office in the
result Of strenuous party contest and it therefore
natural that it should be organized purely party basis
Could have been foreseen that in less than WEEKS the
country would be plunged into contest which would
10 the utmost all its strength and require the employ
Of all its resources material and neral the attempt per-
bsps would have been made to place the Administration
broader basis. This however could not be foreseen
and The President has not yet found it practicable or If
practicable not expedient far civil affairs are con-
cerned to assume position independent Of party Efforts
10 fact have been made 10 induce him to organize the
cutive still narrower party basis Meantime it must
justice be stated that the Administration has been as
literally supported by those who did not by those who
did contribute to place it in power aud formidaby as
sailed by its nominal sdherents by its repued oppo
nens belonged need not say, 10 the latter class not
that much OF Bell and Everett for IT, in par.
Elementary phrase 1t had been possible to divide ques-
ton, should have voted against the candidate for the
Vice Presidency that ticket did all in my power to
prevent his nomination. aud to get him excused when II
made admit, however, that without being much of
partisan, belong TO the Presidents opposition But
what then There is loyalty of opposition So well as
loyalty Of support Shall /, because political
supporter OF the Administration sit quietly by aud see the
Government overturned aud the country dismemb
Because did not vote for Mr. Lincons
must hold back from the vigorous prosecution of the
which is to prevent Mr.. Davis from installing himself
at Washington Because msy dissppruve of the re-
mova Of Gen. Mcclellan, shall do what can 10 pa
rally the of bis Such has not been The
course Of Gen Mcclellan himself When he was sbrupv
relieved from his command, after having with an army dis
heartened by recent aud which be- ia the Ian
guage the COME Genera Lee reorgan zed as 18th
the enchanters wand bad, 10 two noby fought battle.
rescued Washington and Baltimore from menaced capture
and peterved Mary land to the Union instead Of using The
language Of disafection, complaint be exhoted
the srUy by which he doxed, TO be faithful 10
Gen. Burnside il had been TO him. Because we may
doubt the policy OF the proclamaons Of the 22d Of Sep
TENDER and LIST OF January shall far ia us lies
cooperate with the ogaroby of the Secsdng States IN
forcing their peculiar institution into the unoccuped ter
rtory of the Union in reopenhg Of the African slave
trade for which their diplomacy is already making atute
preparation in ovetunlng this most admirable Cnstltu-
ton OF Government which, in the intention Of s ypnera
BILE and patriotic founders, South well North oopsu
plated ouy the temporary federation gradual disap
pearance Of Involuntary ,ervtude and 10 aud
that the of desoating civil war new Confedera
cy founded On the corner stone of slavery"
WEST vIRGINIA--A ONE-SIDED VOTE