Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-04-28
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readers some general IDEAS connected with
this word We propose to carry this sub
iect still further for the benefit of our
readers, hoping that they, as we'll as our
selves, may profit by rejecting on the
SUBJECT. We have turned attention to 1t
tex double purpose-frst, to VAIN
against the evil effects Of tagging behind
the times; and second, to arouse atten-
ton to the danger Of letting the current
sweep us headlong among the breakers of
anarchy. Safety lies between tile two
extremes, and wisdom consists in discov-
ering these extremes III their fullest eX-
p tent, and avoiding them.
We repeat that great revolutions 10 no!
90 backward i; neither do they stand still.
Such one is now going on in our coun-
try, and the old world is experiencing
upheavals indicating anything but the
stability Of the present order OF things,
We see around us events progressing with
a rapidity undreamed of but four years
sincc, and changes accomplished IN one
year which none OF us imagined would
occur in the next quarter Of century.
This admonishcs US that our thoughts
and movements should be characterised
by rapidly of progression. History is
not barren Of revolutionary examples,
and, if carefully contemplated, may teach
us how to progress. Our times have no
l,receslent and he who looks at historical
events merely as prec ,dent, without
giving his thoughts the progresstre char
ocier of the times, will find that he has
been following Twill o'wisp" into inter-
minablc swamps, instead of having taken
warming from the experience OF the past
to avoid the "nluck' ahead.
Those who would lead must think far
beyond any prcccdents Of the past and
give an expansivencss to their thoughts
to which they have not been accustomed
before this revolution was inauguratcd
Opportunity, We are told, makes the men
This maxim is true in regard to those
who have the fImncss and quickncss of
perception which enables them to look
calmly in the face of transporting events
to comprehend their nature and tendency,
and then the wW to seize the rcins and
guide the moving machine in its onward
progress. He who attempts to seize and
hold it back falls beneath the wheels and
Is crushed. He who does not look beyond
the mere precedent Of the past, and con-
tents himself with the attempt to "foliow
in the footsteps of his predecessor" ~W,
If not crushed, find himself but loggard
in the race unknown, unhonored, ard
unn,issed by the onward-moving tide.
In times like these presidents must te
made. Opportunities come fast enough
and time will tell who have the progressive !
talents necessary to guide to successful |
issue this social and political revolution,
and stand before the world as the men
for the times. The military field has
already become the grave of many who
started in the race with the brightest
prospects, chccred on by the hopes and
good wishes of thousands of admiring
friends Mcclellan followed Mcdowell;
Pope followed Mcclellan, who again
followed Pope; Burnside followed Me-
Clcllan; then came Hooker, who was
succeeded by Meade-all have proved
unequal to the occasion We name them
that lesson may be drawn from them,
and to select the highest type of the class
Mcclellan is that type. When called to
the head of the army he had the unlim-
tied confidence of the nation, and when
he did fght, realized the expectation of
his friends. But, alas, lie lacked the
knowledge and appreciation of progress,
and proved Oh that account miserable
IA tiure, and is now classcd among the
tribe of copperheads, with none to DO
him reverence Take an example of the
opposite class, the highest of his type,
Benjamin +. Butler, man not possessed
Of the favor Of the Administration and
by its enemies as the beast.
Ie did appreciate the magnitude of the
zines, had the spirit of progress and the
'swill.' to guide the current. All the
,naledietions Of the relels and their SYM
,6tkisers, all the GOODNESS and want Of
s31iport by the Administration, have not
I;een able. to reprcss him, stop his career.
or prevent the people from appreciating
him. He has fought fewer battles, but
has accomplished more for the
IF the rebellion than !
any other Major General who has
exer had anything to do in the war, unless
Il be the present Lieutenant General
(;rsnt The rebellion has received more
damage at his hands than at those of any
other, simply because he kept progress
with the events Of the day, and met them
!. they should be met The people ap-
.reciate him, because he irss their spirit
a progress apd appreciates the magnitude
jffAt d ti1.,s. ar ssii.r ..sy saass! oa: -
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