Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-12-23
In ArcbbishOp Whately's Comm6laipplaOe

| IN Archbishop huhLGIyb q OOum0upthCe
Book. lately edited by his daughter, His
Grace attempts TO define what is meant by
Influence. Originally it denoted some sub.
tile mysterious agent, ike the electric cur.
rent ,ROwing in upon q person or q thing
Thus it was used to designate the silent
but irresistible control which Astrology
ascribed to theistsrs. Milton makes the
bright eyes of the ladies train influence"
With US, it generally denotes control of
which no distinct and adequate account
can be given. 1t may be associated with
love, fear, respect, or self-interest. but 1t is
something different from these and inezpli-
cable by them. Our social relations con.
stantly offer illustrations of it. We find
ourselves unconsciously fulfilling the wish
es; following the slightest hint, implicitly
adopting the opinions OF another, without
for a moment questioning their wisdom
We do not pause to learn about them; We
do not stop to balance the motives for or
against the step proposed. We simply
take it. The very presence of man pos
sessiug this power is an impulsei the
glance of his eye, a command; his voice,
an inspiration.
This mysterious power accouats for the
control over their follows, often exercised
by men who are not remarkable for their
culture, who have NO grace of manuer or
gifts of usteran6h, and who sometimes have
a character which IL not above reproaeh.
We do not reverence them ,or IoFe. them,
bat We DO Obsy Shsa Perhaps Gs
stopPGss to think aBe9t Il, We should not
do So bus the fact is We obey without re.
Election. We can only explain their sway
over us, by saying they influence US. We.de-
scribe it by terms borrowed from the realm
Of the most subtle of natural agencies. We
have yielded to the magnetism Of their
presence. We have felt the electric power
Of their words. We have come within the
magic circle of their influence. All this
may beinexpiicabie TO those who look on
from a distance. They may find reasons
enough why we should act otherwise than
we do; they may point out the Intellectual
defects, the physical awkwarduess, even
the moral imperfectiouB Of one who has
this mastery; they tell us nothing about
him that we did not know before, but they
do not break bis magic wand.
The history of many battle in the pres
eut struggle, were it fully written, would
reveal frequent Instances In which this per-
soaai influence has determined the for
tunes of the days. Non.c2mmissioued of
fcers, and men holding commissions of
the lower grades have doubtless by their
subtitle power held firm a whole line, and
withstood an almost overwhelming onset.
We might not respect them in private life;
we should not choose them for our friends
} and associates but We cannot deny them
in their sphere the Homerick title of "King
of men,"
When poor, shif,less, and, we fear, vi
cious Dick Steele was arrsigoed by the
House of Commons, the young aud bsst1ful
Lord Finch, after stammering out a few
confused sentences In his defence, sat down
crying out as he did so, "It is strange
cannot speak for this man, though could
readily fight for him" Aud many SOL
dier in our armies has fought, and is to-
day fighting, for his leaders with courage
and an enthusiasm which discipline and
count for. The inspiration of General
sheriasn'ss presence at Cedar Greek was
equal TO reinforcement BY whole army
/ corps. We have never had an instance in
!; (which victory was 80 unquestionablygi given
. into the hands of single man. So too at
Fishers Hill, when standing behind three oi
our batteries, which Werep!aying on the foe
he saw our cavalry, having cut through
the enemy's lines, and isolate aAlafge part
; OF his force, come sweeping through the
. mountain raVine, he protested with very
/. big oath, that he could not stay there any
longer, but called for his horse and plung'
ed into the very thickest Of tho fray. Such
a General cannot but carry an army with
him. he may have q physiogomy, anc
= give orders in tone, that indicate another
h than an American origin, he may be shor
and heavily built, and dash along rathe
!. ungracefuiiy on a very large charger, h
9 may be, and we suspect that he ID, in tn
excitement of battle, somewhat profSue
= but, as a1younR artillery officer of his com
mand told us. "You feel the inspiration
i, his voice aad manner tingle to your YER
1 fngets' ends."
Z z Among the rebels Gen. Jackson ha
2, this power OF ktndIiug euthqslasm amonl
r his men. The stonewar Brigade stoO
= 7 firm because it felt thht'its leader was q
firm as rock. Gen. Lee wins fsom hi
subordinates reverence and q love tht
= ia almost idolatrous. The personal intlr
2 ence OF Gen. RoseCrans, the General VII
did not know when he was whippe
aNhieyad for ma sncneRa altar the thr,