Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-10
- LOYAL OPPOSITION.

Some Of those who abet, and some of those who
condemn, the expression Of opposition to the policy
or measures Of the Government at the present
crisis, seem to us equally in danger of confoundng
distinctions essential to the formation Of just opin
ions on this subject.
On the one hand We find those who, if we may
judge from the general tone of their animadver-
sion on the men and measures Of the Administra-
ton, would seem to be pledged to the maintenance
Of systematic opposition, waged on considerations
of partisan rivalry rather than under the pressure
Of candid convictions of public duty On the
other hand we find class OF men who, in their
injudicious zeal for the defence of the Adminstra
ton, undertake to decry and denouuce all crit-
cism on its men its measures, as being in itself
an evidence of civil disaffection,
Each Of these theories is equally erroneous in
principle and misOhievous in practice. The one,
if carried out to its legitimate tendencies, is con-
stantiy in danger of degenerating into faction. The
other takes its inspiration from and finds its autho
rity in the exploded maxims of Sir Robert Filmer,
according 10 which the ncumbents Of official place
have divine right to govern wrong
1t is equally true that the functionares Of the
Government at the present juncture have strong
and peculiar claim on the candid consideration of
their oountrymen and that the people should at the
same tine exercise an unwonted vigilance where
interests so momentous arc at stake, and where
civil rights SO precious, are in danger of being
overshadowed by military power. To be always
suspecting the Government Of evil purposes and
sinister designs does not, however, form any me-
cessary part Of loyal opposition" just as to be
always lauding it, with reason or without reason,
for what it may do omit to do, sords proof only
Of superior servility rather than preeminent 10y
atty. The function and place of loyal oppo-
sition" under institutions like ours, are correctly
stated by DR.. LIEBER in his excellent treatise on
"Civl Liberty" in which he holds under this
head the following language:
The supremacy Of the law, and that unstnted protec-
ton of the individual as well az Of society in which civil
liberty essentially consists require the hand, the
fullest possible protection of the minority and the other
hand the security Of the majority that actous minority
or cabbl shall rule overit.
The protection of the minority leads to that great inst
tuition it has been boldly but not appropriately called
the opposition well organized and fully protected oppo-
san, and out Of the Legsatnrealoyal opposition By
rhieh is meant pa y achch opposes principle, the
administration the s0ho haUs the time being,
the their han d. but does under and xihin
the common fundamental sso--is important element
civil liberty whether considered protecting force
creative power that it would be impossible here to
give the subject that space which its full treatment would
recognise. have attempted to do and to sketch its
history ia Political Ethics
sThe elaboration of what we call an opposition is an
honor which belongs to the English, and seems to
great ami noble contribution to the treasures
Of civil freedom the development of the
Doy-a nf ON
Of the different States to declare upon trial of specific
cases. law by the Legislature unconstitutional and valid
They two of the noble acquisitions in the Of
liberty, order, and civilization"