The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-12-01
Truths Which the Future VIII
Confirm.

When Benedict Arnold abandoned the
American cause, went over 20 the enemy,
and issued that denunciatory address
against his compatriots, there certainly was
semblance of truth in his words. The
war had indeed been burdensome and
affective in many ways Thousands had
perished III the field or noisomc prisons,
and many languished in hospitals or In
| impoverished homes. Commerce was
nearly ruined, insomuch that twenty-four
hundred dwellings in the then small city
of Philadelphia were vacated and closed.
| The army suffered for lack of shoes and
clothing, and the public credit was at its
lowest ebb. Washington was armed by
Congress with dictatorial power, and seized
private property to supply the most press
| ing exigencies. Liberty itself stood In
abeyance. and individuals were held in
duress or banished by Safety Committees,
on the bare suspicion Of disioyaity to the
popular cause.
What then? The great leaders of our
Revolution, and those who aided their
exertions, were the truest friends of liber-
| ty. Only through such mporary displace-
ment Of its outward form could they place
it on solid basis, ard at the proper mo-
ment restore to it all its peaceful privileges.
The declamatory Arnold, who talked Of
freedom, was o. cheating profigate, without
a spark of generous sentiment or an
aspiration for human freedom. He lived
to be despised Of all men, whilst Washing
ton and his compeers were honored
throughout the world. The restoration of
/ h. c,rn,l 10 tbo hoe fo,uo1 ON
| the people of as much freedom as was
compatible with the existence of human
government. No despotism reared its
| horrd crest, as the monarchists had
prophesied. The army gladly laid down
It's arms, and yielded Obedience to the
civil law. They saw their truest interest
and pleasure in peaceful and industrious
avocations, which brought them comfort
and security after the war was ended, and
crowned their efforts with all the rewards
they desired.
So, in like manner, Mr.. Lincoln, and
those who have borne with him the heat
and burden Of this great conflict, will he
most happy to close their labors whenever
the great duty has been completed. There
will then be no need for restricting indi-
!
detention. They have strangely erred
who could suppose that man of Mr..
| Lincoln's character could ever exercise
such power under any other motive than
that of paramount desire for tie country s
welfare. 1t was in resistance to despotism
that such rigors were practiced, and only
that the liberty which seemed to be viola
ted should be secured thereby, and placed
upon immovable foundations. Such will
most assuredly be the result, in the eyes
| Of all men, when this government shall
triumph over the treason which assails it,
and when these guards and precautions
can be safely set aside.
A different class of censors take quite
opposite ground, alleging that the Execu-
tive is vacillating or imbecile in his course
toward sem:-trai.ors. We confess that we
incline somewhat to this opinion, and
thousands of loyal men have called aloud
for greater energy and severity against
persons accused of disloyal acts. And
yet, perhaps, we may all come to admit in
the end that this lenient and forbearing
course, besides being the most generous
and magnanimous, was also prudent and
polite. 1t often happens in human gov
| Cl tIot tHclC are fOl dCtloH
or nop-action, strong and conclusive to
those who see them, and yet of nature
requiring concealment at the moment. lest
injury might result N some especial
quarter. 1t is not always prudent to
disclose what the Administration may
know, and at all times it may be supposed
there is some official knowledge which the
people do not and should not possess Il
would be we'll if we could all school our.
selves in this belief, and be patient when
doubtful and mysterious movements seem
on foot, or when provoking ambiguity OIL
reticency seems to baulk our thirst fol
} knowledge. If the charity we are taught
to exercise in ordinary cases recommend;
itself to our sober appreciation, then espec
tally should we display it here, where the
chosen men who are to extricate the
hation from It's perilous condition SO obvi
ously require our favorable Interpretation
For our part, we have so much reliance
on the general fairness Of the American
character, that we expect consideration
like these to weigh powerfully, even or
The minds of our political antagonists
They cannot but see, now that politicians
will measurably cease their deceptions
that our rulers have chosen the course
which appeared to them the best, When
the great question Of submission or resist
ance to national dismemberment came uI
for decision. If it be said they seriously
erred in Understanding the strength oi
| III Ill. - g L.