Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-14
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.



No attentive observer Of current events can have
failed to mark the suspense IN when poht'cai'
equally with military, movements are heiu az Tue
rresent period. A sufficient explanation OF the
o,aseent attitude impressed the latter is to be
f,pnd in the fact of the season through which we
ara passing, though persons who have good memo
,as cannot but recollect how large portion OF the
;nouiry set on foot by the Congressional War Com
mittees Two years sg, was directed to demonstra-
ton Of the proposition that nothing was more fea-
sible than winter campaign by the Army OF the
Potomac. The Is iaeriia of Gen. Mcclellan was
then all that stood in the way OF the forward march
on to Richmond. Now that the American people
mot even excepting the members of the late celc-
brated War Committec) have taken some lessons
in the art Of patience ms necessary b:anch OF the
art of war, we do not hear any clamors at the IN
activity of our armies during the winter time
The veteran troops of Gen Grant himself are per-
mitted to rest undisturbed under the more south
ern sky of Chattanooga without being reminded
that winter campaigns were once the order OF
the day and the aspiration Of War Committees.
But if the winters cold aud snow and ice afford
sufficient explanation of the inactivity OF our ar
mics at all points, what shall be said to account for
the ul that is obvious in the elements of political
agitation Is the nation, at least in the Loyal
States about to enter on another era Of good feel
ing'' such as dates from the haleyon days Of Mr.
Monroe's Administration Is it time in which
to exclaim with the Roman poet,
Jam rsda FL Firgo ysdeunt Saiurnia rgaa
Is the truce that has been hidden to the bitter
narty warfare of tae last twelvemonth destined to
be the harbinger Of permanent peace among all
loyal supporters of the Government or is it only
the precursor of still greater contentious yet to
come?
Perhaps we arc not ready as yet to answer these
questions with certainty far as relates to the
future But it is easy to see why the lately agi-
tated surface Of our political waters is now compa
ratively laid and calm. The collisions of opinion
growing out of opposite views as to the policy that
should control the war have in a measure spent
their force. Whether wisely or unwisely, for veal
or for woe, the position of the present Admnstra-
ton has been taken on most of the questions which
recently elected debate and awakened opposition.
The attitude of expectation that has settled on tie
people is partly the natural consequence of the yio-
lent struggles that preceded it, but chiefly, let
hope, the result Of disposition to watch with
dor the course and tendency of events under the
direction that has been impressed on them by the
policy finally adopted with regard to the great dis
puted topics Of the war. Many difficulties and
trials vet await us, and it still remains to be seen
II A. Al ~ e.
tile, bene6cent, and speedy have been promised by
its orignstors shall be confirmed by the ordeal Of
time and experience. If it shall succeed in ac-
complishing the good augured by its peculiar sup
porters posterity will delight to do them honor.
But il it shall fall the pen of truthful history
record that it was for no want Of candor or pa
thence on the part Of the people, at whose risk the
experiment was made.
1t would be too much, perhaps, to hope that in
the quairennial contest for the Presidency, the
issues Of which already begin family to loom above
the horizon, we shall witness entire harmony and
unanimity Of sentiment among the people, but
none will deny that it is the duty of all good and
loyal citizens to discuss with becoming moderation,
and with candor those differences Of opinion which
are incident to all free thought, and which it is the
province Of free discussion, when properly direct
ed, 10 elicit not for the purpose Of creating anita
gonism-, needless in number or intensity, but for
the purpose OF clarifying and guiding the popular
intelligence And all will perceive that this sea
SOD Of political calm is especially proptious to the
taking of those political observations which are
necessary to guide the ship Of State with safety
through th" troubled waters which may lie before
a. 4 4 4
the haven is reached.