The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-19
Southern InGrmitfess


The people Of every country prone TO consider
themselves II not the salt OF The earth least the
o. M m me 81 al rau gaefs
"outside barbarans." Better instructed and
fined nations restrained IRON extreme assertion
OF superiority but there are, probably, none oy whom
the idea Of higher excellence is not entertained and
the cla affirmed with more or less freedom and conf
dence.
We OF America have by no means been noted for ex-
emption from the inrmity 10 which we have referred.
people OF the late United States, whole were
perhaps ~ thrasonical SIS any that ever had name
and in the character az the poruation the world was
told that had greatness aud excellence
before Bot chiefly Of the system Of government which
II WAS the Ter ecion OF human wisdom the grand
pensating corrective OF hn,nan folly; the panacea
shat have buil, for the house Of the king.
DOM, BY the might OF my power, and for the
nounce these words with swelling pride and
selfsuncency, in the hour when the kingdom departed
from him, than bad been the habit with when speak
ing Of tho late Union even up 10 the hour when IL
rcat In twain forever.
Although mach larger part OF this boastful self
important spirit with Us rndes. and least amiable mani
festatons, found the other side Of Masons and
fsra Ss and Is there TINS Say ys. we o. the Con-
which tells US 'fsurey ye are the men," We
toned to boast, not oily Of aggregate merit but is
not unusual 70 witness vast OF wisdom
excellence on the part OF individuals.
Is not TO be denied that have many reasons why
may indulge ~ honest and becoming pride In these
do well decorousy 10 rejoice. But have faults,
and If we wise we will consider them and eodeavor
to correct them. II is too much habit TO shnk
o, rights than OF duties, and moro Of commanding
merits than of correcting our errors. As people
too proud and 100 tmre,lous ana passionate WIN
hope Of accessfI negotidons Europe met scih delay
and disappointment, hoac stcif, many 10 proclaim
them Drufcd al it, because zoe shoud nog uScom,sssa
deiirsrdnce and cure the uorld thaats But this
was only an afectator OF pleasure; for swiftly
were ped with the most Incorporate denun.
Citations OF these who lad rendered this alleged signal
service, and with passionate demands that should
precipititely assume towards them hostile relation
Where were car ecuanmity and our cool wisdom? Why
constitute calm craftsmanship and thus roar liz mob
In q market placer
Take the case OF the President Much. perhaps most,
that he does upon confidential information.
He has shown a judgment and a merit that caused
10 be unanimously chosen for his present high
aud responsible position. is still admitted
BY probably ssc, mos Of oa his revs tina.
yet they scruple in this ignorance OF the grounds OF
his conduct, with these for personal respect
apart from the respect due 10 the Office which he Ellis and
the choice people which paced him there speak
Of him with Injustice and acorby and violence that
reproach 10 us as people
Nor should shut eyes to The fact that there
,7on and iHtenferdrce in our pGbic discussions
rally TIA; should 10 ueii 20 Gpofd.
Such buncombe harargues sucn sophistcal arguments
such iibcrsl Expectations and violent invectves, too
often are beard in our assemblies, would disgrace
not orly as member OF Parliament, but 10 g cety.
Why cAnnu, we correc. our own tastes and habits
these respects We exhibit In many things and IN the
aggregate OF social lie, superior excellence TO the
Britshat least as Confederate, we shall be pardoned
Cor ia Dki1g Bot il surely will be acquisition not
20 be cespised Ii shall become more patient, more
ftad, us. considerable and respectful II we shall
be prone 10 vloeni expression and extreme opin-
thus our reason those very subee which most
qure their healthy Let the people honor only
the men who exhibit the excellences and avoid the
faults we have named