The Portland daily press., 1863-03-09
The vacillations of Unprincipled Men no
Cause for DiscOuragement.

Oause IOr ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1t is well for the people of the country to re-
member, that the last few months Of Mr.. Blu
chanan's administration were marked by much
the same doubt and uncertainty about the is
sue of events then daily occurring, as has char
acterized the present winter. The supposed
power of the revolters was much more dreaded
then, than their real power is now. The mea-
sures, moreover, then called for by the public
exigencies, were never instituted; but in their
place, certain constitutional theories were
thrust forward under the guise Of insurmount-
able obstacles, beneath which the President
shaded himself and watched the nation drifting
by to ruin. The indifference encouraged by
such conduct,was too thick for the vision ofthe
new authorities. Yetit lifted while they were
waiting what was to turn. The sky was clear
ed by the storm that swept up from Charles
ton harbor, and the time Of gloom was over.
So il will be again.
1t is well, too, to remember that the nation
began its measures OF defence with an almost
unanim)u conviction of the business of its
cause. Whatever the reasons which drove on
tuC lcducio VI Vic iOoSihoot icW hNh "SiS
found elsewhere. who were not ready TO affirm
the utter wrongfnlness Of their measures.
Some there We're, it is true, who had in previ-
Gus years sat unquestioDingly at the feet Of
Gamaliels from the slave States, and could not
divest themselves of the doctrine, that while
the Constitution had indeed some very good
things in it, its wisdom was chiefly conspicu-
A.. 4. - H..
Southern system of bondage. But the great
heart OF the nation beat strong, TO the inexcu-
sableness of the means adopted to secure the
alleged rights of the rebelng states. If the
cause was just then, it is just now and as the
armies OF the rebellion still fight us for the
same objects, which they first fought for at
Charleston, it is plain that the defectionists of
the winter have lost their early promise, from
lack OF root to keep themselves against wither-
ing away We assert, therefore, of the men
now clamoring against the Government, that
both before and since the war began. they have
been without Ineligible principle. They have
had no clear, well defined, and well-grounded
policy TO which they might steadily adhere.
A single instance will verify our statement.
The Democracy long ago adopted the maxim
ludt pOuliCdl spblic DtioiiR W lit VIC
tors. They never troubled about reducing
their maxim to a uniform practice. Yet we
well remember the claim OF party organs, ad-
vanced without blush, that the new Admin
istraton In bestowing its favors, should have
kindly eye for men OF all the political creeds,
because all were uniting for the support OF the
Government in its extremity, and as reward
OF their patriotism they shouldreceive an appro-
pirate share of the political spoils. Now it is
a ol wonder that who cpuid
guide their countrymen to no loftier reasons
for PATRIOTISM than the enjoyment of places of
profit, should at one time loudly applaud the
rightiulness of arming for protection aud ma
tional authority, and forthwith swerve wide
from their first positions, whenever there is
occasion for anxiety about the full success OF
our arms. In the fluctuations ola long war,
which free people are carrying on, when no
representations Of the future can be OWNED
from the detail of passing events, these expe-
diency men will shin alternately, from warm
sympathy to dolorous lamentations over the
weakness and irresolution of those to whom
the reins are trusted. If advantage is to be
gained by jealous attachment to some mill
tary officer, no encomum on the Government
that commits its troops 10 his guidance.is with
held. Ii the Government throw clowd across
the lustre of his star, no words in the vocabu-
larry are long or strong enough to express their
feelings at dismal a proceeding. Unable to
rise to the height whence they may see the
grand results toward which our cause is sure
lip tending, they are tossed about with each
changing wind Of doctrine that political lead
ers may blow, and sadly manifest in their
words and acts, the influence Of each great and
small event, on their characters and powers of
steadiast continuance. No permanent results
for harm are we to apprehend IRON such men.
The friend Of the national cause may feel
temporary encouragement at the revelations
| made by them, when the times try their souls.
but he has no cause to fear. All things in the
present aspect of affairs rouse the true and 10y
al to high hope and trust that all is still TO be
well. The cause was Just in its outset. No
sincere well wisher to his country, we are bold
| to say, has been wronged in its progress; and
the consuinmation will largely reward us for
the anxiety, or patience, or watching to4which
] we have been compelled. D. B. T.