Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-24
POLITICAL nERMApnReDusM.

POLITICAL HERMAPHR0DESM.
There is a force in nature which deter
mines shape, size, and other qualities.
When, from any cause, it fails to impress
the law of its action on matter, the resulting
product is phenomenon. 1t is something
unusual, and generally useless-at least for
the purpose for which it was designed.
Such is the human hermaphrodite-a being
in whom the characteristics Of both sexes
are united-a fact which renders it incapa-
bic Of one of the great objects of its creation,
and of very little use for anything else.
There are men whose minds are so con-
structed, that their conduct in the affairs of
life, be they active or listless, amounts to
nothing Something seems to be lacking in
their mental makeup. They are neither
one thing, or the other. Their opinions are
unstable, and liable TO change from the
slightest circumstance. A sentiment, or
evanescent feeling, will defect them from the
true course of action upon vital matters.
Earnest and positive men, when dealing
with one of this sort, have difficulty in de-
Gliding upon which side of given question
he may be found, and when found, how
long he may remain there. They seem to
be mental hermaphrodites. having two sets
of opinions, and neither worth the breath
required to utter them.
4 politician, or press-writer Of this class
seems TO have come into the political world
with some defect in his organization. He
may have ability, and good intentions, with
strong tendency, generally, to correct
views but his political virtue is moi. robust.
Ii cannot walk alone. 1t totters, even when
small, affect him. The opinions of such an
one, if he can be said to have any, are very
likely to be in the control Of his interest, for
this is one of the strongest Of influences;
and when interest shakes the wavering bal
ance of his Judgment, it is rarely rightly adj
justed for the good of the public. This PHI
able material furnishes many of the scurvy
politicians of the country and they do in
finite harm, more even than positively bad
and able men do. Political institutions may
survive sudden and severe shocks from the
latter class but the slow poisoning Of cor
ruption, begotten on weakness, is sure to de-
stroy them.
In default Of ability to decide for himself,
and define line of duty for those, whom he
assumes 10 guide such one will befreqnently
found INDUCING in optimistic dreams No
| juncture of affairs, though it may involve
principles which are the very essence of
| political truth, at such times seem serious to
! him. Things will settle themselves, he says
the people are all right it is only the poll
\ ticians who make mischief And on the other
| hand he undergoes seasons of continued
| apprehension Of crises. Historical prece-
dents, and maxims of general concurrence,
are met with in his writings or speeches,
when they can be used in general way.
| But fundamental laws, and the abstract
truths on which they are based, he is apt to
esteem as dangerous ground. They would
commit him too far. When, however, he
attempts the positive role, he is more than
likely to go to the opposite extreme. Cen
orally speaking, short-sighted expediency
is the foundation of his political ethics, and
the touchstone by which he tries the current
questions Of the day. 1t is unfortunate for
political science, and the cause Of good govern
ment, that men so poorly tempered for the
work, should assume to be political pre-
ceptors. But their number is not few, and
and the evil they have done is incalculable.
Now, to every question in politics, there
are two sides 1t is either right or wrong
wise or foolish-expedient or inexpedient.
1t is proper sometimes to postpone, evade,
or ignore an issue which threatens to force
itself unseasonably. But if it be presented
on its merits for decision, there is but one
way for men to act that is, to examine it,
and deal openly and frankly in disposing Of
il. We never knew any other course than
this, to accomplish any good; and it is just
at this point, that what we have termed po-
litical hermaphrodism, exerts in public
affairs, a pernicious influence. When a
public man, or conductor of Journal of po-
litical opinion, becomes the subject of it, he
neither knows how to go himself, or to
direct others He blows trumpet of I'M
certain sound. He frequently persists in
talking or writing of the matter in hand,
IL L. FL, l., Id =
ended, and the public very quickly discern
it.
II ever there was a time in the history of
this country, when pale-pink manner of
treatingpoliticalquestions, should be avoided,
it is the present. 1t requires outright, down
right, stroight-foNard discussion of rrin-
ciples The throes of civil convnlsion
have scarcely ceased to shake the govern
ment 1t has left consequences-somc good
and some, Of which no one is yet able to
pronounce with certainty. The great object
is to read just the government; and we hold
that it should be done in accordance with
the constitution Of the United States, and by
the light of the principles in which it was
ordained. Contrariety of views is to be ex-
pected in regard TO this subject; but that
fact does not, on the score, either of good
policy or patriotic intent forbid the freest
discussion of the question.
This, at any rate, is the course we have
prescribed for this journal. If we shall seem
TO be importunate in regard to these matters,
and should appear to belabor any issue UNI
duly, our friends may ascribc it to this fact.
We believe that the greater part of the evils
under which the people are suffering are
due to loose views, with which they have
been indoctrinatcd by the character of men
alluded to. That sin shall not lay at our
door. The times are pregnant with the most
intricate and important questions. They
cannot be understood, determined, and set
tied by wave Of the hand; or by singing
lullabies 10 them: or by tlatterine the peo-