Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-10
w o r G f S T E RI:
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1868.
Josiah Quincy and Montgomery Blair.

Josiah Quincy and Montgomery Blair.
The two persons who have come most no.
tceably before the people during the week
now closing, through declarations of senti-
ment on subject in which the country has
vital interest are JOSIAH Quincy and MoNT-
GoNERY BLAIR. There is not a greater con-
trast in the character and personal fortunes Of
the two persons than in the views they enter
tain, and the temper with which they express
them. The one private citizen, on the ex-
treme verge of a singuarly pure and noble
life, as far above suspicion Of selfish or
expedient ends as the giant of the
forest is above the ground pines spring
ing at its roots the other by descent and
education politician, man of extreme pref
udices and variable temper, himself no insig-
niicant part of the government, and assum-
ing to represent in a degree its views and
general policy; they have come by different
routes to the same questionable Quincy to
strengthen and encourage the president in his
chosen policy, Mr. Blair to mislead or be-
tray him. While hundreds of thousands of
anu Oldl ultl Will ISspOnu W I'LL dle
full respect to the sentiment of Mr.. Quincy
that emancipation must in some way be the
condition OF peace, the same army of patriots
will turn Indignantly from the sophistry of
Mr.. Blair, that peace may be restored by
shrewd management, and slavery somehow
saved from the wreck. Mr.. Quincy's letter
expresses in brief the precise end at which the
misunderstood and unjustly -censured radical
ism of the country aims-peace with freedom
for Its cornerstone. Mr.. Blairs speech, mis-
stating with apparent malice the purposes of
the radical element goes to the rescue Of the
so-called conservatives, by advocating par
tial retreat from the emancipation policy and
settling kind of peace without specific refer
ence to the subject. We have been of the
opinion that the time was not yet ripe for the
development of specific plans upon which the
Union may be restored. While the rebellion
is palpable and defiant fact, the only possible
plan is that of subjugation and destruction
The policy of the government in regard to
slavery is clearly established upon the procla-
nation of the first of January till the rebel
lion manifests IA desire for permanent dissolu-
ton. When the time arrives for settlement,
the circumstances of the hour must deter
mine the precise manner in which the
regenerated states shall return to their
allegiance. OF one thing, however,
there can be no doubt or question
that there is to be no more union with slave
" Tho pil IN b,b ,f
shaved race has developed into resolute and
immutable conviction that the system under
which it suffers is the cause of all national
calamities, and therefore must be destroyed.
The growing power in the loyal states to-day
is the anti-slavery power. The government
whoever administers it, must fraternize with
it, or it cannot permanently stand. Constitu-
tlonal power must 60 side by side with real
power, or commissions will follow. The con-
science and moral sentiment of the country
must have the order and efficacy of law, or
the nation will be divided against itself
and fall. To attempt to widen the
breach between the government and the
growing faith OF the people on whom it ult-
mately rests is a most unpatriotic and danger
Gus task. Even here, where the largest cath
olcity of opinion and speech is wisely allow
ed, if any one trihes in these matters he must
take the consequences OF his conduct. Even
MIR. Blair cannot stand in the way of this es-
sential cooperation with impunty. The
name he bears may once have been spell to
conJure with; but it is so no longer. Greater
and better men than he have, to their sorrow,
shut their eyes to that maxim of pure states.
manship, Justice exalteth a nation" and there
are blank spaces in history now where other
wise they might have left names not wholly
worthless to the world.