The Placer herald., 1864-02-06
IN A QUANDARY.

| devoted follower OF the Administration, has
found it very difficult to follow the prescribed
channel in all its short windings. The edi-
tor, in his tribulation, throws up his hands
and asks "What is loyalty!" To be consis
tent, he has found it impossible to change
! front as often as has the Administration,
and, in consequence, some of the wise ones
have intimated that be was not intensely
loyal" The editor says:
Since We commenced the publication oi
the Gazette, on some occasions We have
found it in accordance with our views, to dis.
| sent from some measures proposed by the
President or his Senators in their annual
message and reports to Congress. Now, we
are not vain enough to think that the Presi
dent or Congress will fud themselves very
much embarrassed on account of our course
in this respect, but it seems there are those
who fear such may be the result. Because
on the questions Of postal reform, taxing the
miners and some less important matters, we
took exception to the recommendations OF
the President, some Of our friends do not
hesitate to say the Gazette does not appear
so intensely loyal. The other day we were
told by good loyal citizen and friend OF
ours, that our comments on the statement
by the President that we are at peace and
friendship with foreign nations savored lit
tie of disloyalty. The standard of loyalty
changes so much from time to time that we
find it somewhat difficult to keep up with
the times. Like our cotemporaries gener-
ally, we only want to know what it is, and
we are ready to subserve to it; reserving to
ourselves the right, land in this respect diff
ferng from most of them,) to exercise ouI
own judgment as to the correctness Of the
decision.
Is it loyal now to say we are for the res
toration of the Union, regardless of the ques'
ton of slavery? 1t was two years ago. Is
it loyal now to say that Congress has no
right to interfere with slavery in the States?
1t was two years ago. Is it loyal now to
say that the negro ought not to be enrolled
as a soldier! 1t was two years ago. Is it
loyal now to say Mcclellan is not traitor!
1t was two years ago. Times change, and it
seems that principles change with the times.
There are SO many things that are dsloyal
that we presume it much easier to give a
definition Of loyalty than disloyalty. We
therefore would like to know, for two reas
ons, in what to-day does loyalty consist! The
first reason is, as means to guide US in our
support of the Administration; and second,
for The purpose of comparing the definition
with what it may be on the first of January,
1865. From the "tenor" Of the Governors
"organ," we are inclined to think that one
year hence he who refuses to take "green
backs" at par for all purposes, except to pay
State Judges salaries, will be classed among
the disloyal. Who knows but that some
who are now classed among the most in
tensely loyal Of our citizens may twelve
months hence be in custody of the Provost
Marshal for disloyalty, the specifications be-
ing a refusal to take 'greenbacks" in pay.
ment Of various sums loaned about this
time, to be paid in goldl We hope that
through the influence of the Governor this
high standard Of loyalty will not be estab
lshed, but if it is We trust no loyal citizen
will complain. 1t would be little amusing
in State where the circulation of paper
money is by the Constitution prohibited to
see paper money the only currency, excepting
ala0ays the pay Of the Governor and Judges.
Some subsequent standard Of loyalty may,
however, produce such result? We will
try to be loyal, but readers can all see how
difficult it is to know whether we are up to
the standard or not. Fremont was relieved
from his command for the alleged reason
that he went too far on the negro question,
but if one Of our Generals to-day were to
adopt his policy he would be suspended from
command because he was too conservative,
now called too dsloyal.
A HARD VIEW OF HUMAN NArURx.-A
correspondent of Wisconsin paper sums up
following manner:
Gall confidence is lost between man and
man. The bottom has fallen out Of every
thing. Shrewd business managers are cheat
ing God in their professions, and the devil in
their bargains. Ginger is made out Of must
tard, and coffee of chicory. Young Hysou'
is raised in the COW pasture, and young
America in the dram shop. Pure wines are
made of poor whiskey, and Havanas of herbs.
Rascality has become virtue, and rot-gut
turned to vinegar. Legislatures are marked
as merchants mark goods, and the peoples
funds absorbed for charitable purposes."-
Governors are knocked off for $50 900; leg
islators from $1,000 to $4,000. Railroad
stock is down below zero. Caucuses are
packed and young men eectioneer on the
Sabbath. Fairbanks scales have taken to
swndling, and old rats are selling their tails
to spike cannon"
GOT WHAT He CALLED FoR.-The Grass
Vallav National tells of fellow going into
saloon in that lace recently, and calling
for glass of "tarantula juice" 1t happen
ed that behind the bar there was glass jar
partly filled with alcohol, and containing a
tarautula and scorpion in good state Of
preservation, which the polite "bar. keep"
with desire to please, placed before his
customer, who proceeded forthwith to help
himself to the compound, mixing it with gin
and syrup. A rich scene Of gymnastics iml