Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-28
POLITICAL INCONSISTENCY.

80 POLITICAL INCONSISTENCY
Many intelligent observers of the shifting phases
assumed by popular opinion at tho present period
in history have expressed their surprise al the
sudden and radical mutations which it has under
gone according the drift of events or the osclla
tioDs of political and military power the progress
of the war; Equal, perhaps even greater surprise
has been expressed at the facility with which
some men have modulated their personal opinions
in conformity with the conceived performance OF
certain principles and ,lcies in the administra-
ton of the Government, insomuch that it is no
uncommon thing to witness among the most ba
tant Of the friends of freedom" some Of the very
men who were the most conspicuous for their sub
servience to the "slave power" SO long as that
political element was power in the land
To the careful reader Of history there is nothing
surprising in such phenomena. They are among
the marks of revolutionary epoch in all ages and
among all nations. Schiller, in his History of the
Thirty Years War in Germany, remarks on the
notifying fact that during that {" time of storm
and pressure" whole communities were seen to
change their nominal religious creed with the
change of their political allegiance, which latter
was dependent upon the character of the army
under whose sway they had come for the time being
Where Wallensteip pitched his tents the people
were Imperialists and Catholics; where Gustavus
Adolphus marched with his conquering legions the
people were Royalsts and Professionals and the
frequency with which these changes occurred came
in the end says the historian to leave an injurious
impression on the manlness of the population thus
affected by them. And as in Germany, so also in
France, where during the last seventy years poll
teal revolutions have been most frequent, the same
sudden changes have been seen in the person Of
whole communities, and particularly ofindividuals
filling large space in the popular eye, whether as
soldiers, statesmen, courtiers. So true is this
and SO keen is the perception of the fact among
the French people, that some years ago Die
tionary of Weathercocks" was published for the
diversion of the wits Of Paris La this Dictionary
q record was made Of the names of those who at
different periods in the recent history Of France
had turned their faces in different directions, ac-
cordipg to the quarter from which favor and emo
lument were seen to come. And after some Of
these names, says DR.. Leber, in referring to this
pleasant book, there was fearful row of hero
glyphical vanes, significant of the frequency and
facility with which the persons who bore them had
shifted their attitude
When, therefore, We witness the spectacle of
once notorious for their serviity to the politi
cal power Of the South, but who now make broad
the phylacteries of Pharisaic homage to /" 10y
ally" and I" Liberty" We have no occasion to be
surprised as though this generation or this coun-
try had produced any thing more monstrous than
belongs to the ordinary developments Of troubou,
time. And where this mutabihty of opinion can
not be explained by transparent motives Of cupid
ty, leading men to have keen perception Of pri-
yate advantage as well as of public expediency,
there still other considerations which enable as
to perceive its origin with being underline neces
sry Of ascribing it to conscious dishonesty. And
these considerations thus specified by DR.. LIE
Der, in commenting on the perverted use and
application Of the false maxim, Vor popal; uoa
Del. He says:
g However ihdistinct the meaning of the maxim may
be, the idea intended to be conveyed and the imposing
character of the saying have nevertheless contributed
produce in some countries general inability to remain In
the opppston--hat necessary element Of civil liberty
degree Of shame there to be attached to person
that does not swim with the broad stream. No matter
what aagrant contradictions may take place. however
sudden the changes may be- there to exist in every
one feeling Of discomfort until he has joined the general
current To differ from the dominant party the ruling
majority appears almost like daring contend with
deity, mysterious yet rrevocable destiny. To die
sent il deemed Ia be malcontent it more than
belous, traitorous and this feeling becomes nj
tmatey general that il the dissenting individuals
the mselyes They become ashamed and mnge with the
rest Individuality is destroyed manly character degene
rates and the sautsry effect Of parties is forfeited He
that clngs to bis conviction put in ban as unnatona
and as an enemy to the people"