The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-07-02
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWK-EYE.

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~ If all men could see the whele field
and all its features from the same stand
point, and with the same sagacity, we think
it probable that there would be but slight,
if any, differences of opinion among the
really patriotic as to the wisest present and
future policy. The cause of diverse senti-
ment results partly from the differences Of
knowledge, and partly from the partial
consideration too many of US give to what
we do know. We are apt to magnify small
things into great. just as apt are we to
mistake the great for the small. To form
q true opinion of what ought to be done, it
is essential that we have full and accurate
knowledge Of what is done. AS but few Of
US can claim to have this necessary knowl-
edge, it follows that our opinions about
mere policy must be imperfect, and if right,
in fact, are SO by accident.
But there can be no essential diversity of
purpose among those who wish to uphold
the nation. It can be sustained only by
putting down the rebellion. There is no
mode of putting down the rebellion but by
force. Any other mode of getting rid Of it,
If any other is imagined to be possible, is
but coaxing of rebels to lay down their
arms, and in effect is acknowledging trea-
son to be the equal of loyalty. The repub-
lie would net be sustained by such course
if it were possible to obtain peace BY it. 1t
would be q compromise, a confession of
weakness, and therefore q national disgrace
and dishouor. Force alone can operate
against force. So long as rebel remains
in arms, so long must we use arms and
nothing else against them. The nation
cannot afford to parley with traitors. It
may exercise clemency, it may imperson-
ate mercy, without harm or danger, but it
must have submission.
The war must 60 on until the rebels sub
NIT themselves to the rule of the law. The
single purpose of all the loyal is to carry
on the war to this end. As we are not all
soldiers, We are compelled to put the con-
troll Of military operations in the hands Of
our Generals. We are not all Statesmen.
II we were, unless our positions were at
the head of affairs, and we were able to de-
vote all our time and sagacity to the right
solution of all important questions, it is
highly probable that our opinions about
every thing but the end, would be as often
wrong as right. It is not safe to assume
that hasty opinions Of policy, made up as
most mems are, without much care and de-
liberation, are wiser than those whose blu.
siness it is to act, whose positions ensure
fuller and moro accurate knowledge, and
who have the strongest possible induce
ments to act as wisely and judiciously as
their most cautious judgment may dictate.
We have right to insist that the Admin
istration is patriotic. We may and should
demand that it be a. able - possible. We
should require Of it that all its ability be
periodically devoted to the attainment of
the great public ends we have in view.-
But beyond these acquisitions we cannot
go without danger of putting our chief pur-
pose beyond our reach forever. The mo-
ment we begin to insist on this or that par
ticular measure, we begin to promote dis
cord-to weaken what it is our duty to
strengthen. We assume that an individu-
al, forming hasty Judgment with imper-
feet light, is wiser than those deemed fit
for authority, who have more light, who
devote themselves to their duties. and
whose patriotism and zeal no loyal man
processes to question! Do we not better
serve the cause we all have at heart, if we
leave matters of mere discretion to those
whose duty it is to decide upon them? Is
it not best for us to pull together, even
though some Of us imagine it would be
wiser 10 pull by different route?
a-John C. Breckenridge, according to
the Richmond Wing, shed tears on Friday
night, the Sd Of June, ION account of the
death OF his favorite horse" These ''tears,"
the Wing further declares are the first shed
by him since the war begun! That is pro-
bable enough. It is exactly in character.
One Of the ''chivalry" might be expected
to do precisely as John did. He is a rebel.
He is 4 traitor. He is constant perjurer.
He has assisted in blasting the country
with intestine war. He has made his own
section q desolation. Thousands upon
thousands Of his own friends have been
destroyed by his agency. Widows and
orphans, without number cry aloud over
their bereavements. John sees it all, but
sheds no sympathetic tear. What, to him,
are the woes Of merely human beings.-
His horse dies, and John, the warrior,
weeps! The horse was his. That is "Chi-
valry' in "Dixie." The Wing records it
and thinks it an evidence Of "tenderness!''
va The Senate has repealed the three
hundred dollar exemption clause, and it is
said that there is prospect that the House
will do likewise. This will suit the ear
nest Union lmen of the country. It will
also be acceptable to the Copperheads. We