The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-21
LET THEM REAP THE HARVEST.


ofour people which do not perhaps be-
long, in the same degree, to any other,
and foremost among these are the readi-
ness with which they can conform their
political opinions or ideas to almost any
condition of affairs, and the facility with
which they allow themselves to be led
by their leaders-their orators, editors,
and preachers-in their political and re-
ligious views. In fact, the great mass Of
our people are too much engaged in the
pursuit of gain or pleasure, to give them
selves time to think. They do not pre-
tend to think; but accept the thoughts
of others and adopt them as their own,
without inquiry, provided he who pro-
mulgates them be of their political or re-
ligious faith, and enjoys reasonable re-
putation, according to the extent of his
circle of influence. Therefore, the man
whoi is leader of public opinion, is the
man who is able to form, to make, to
mould, and to influence that opinion.
What is public opinion? Some would
answer, it is the opinion of the majority
ofthe people, expressedin different ways
IAN article which the people make, and
the press, and other vehicles through
which it is disseminated, merely pro-
mulgate or reflect it. They are nothing
more than mirrors, which give back
again to the people what they receive
from the people. Such. is not the case,
and if the public suppose it is, the public
is grievously in error. The people listen
to the great orator, who gives them his
own opinions, and, without reflection,
but because the man is popular and has
a reputation, and is respected by them
for his worth, talents, or other qualities,
oraccidents, which have endeared him
to them, they accept his dogmas as their
rule of faith and practice, and adopt
them as their own opinions. He need
not be logical, for the public dislike
logic; but he must be plausible, and fat
ter their limited understanding of the
philosophy of politics, and, be he
ever so sophistical, they will not stop in
their private and more important pur-
suits, to inquire, nor will they listen to
any warning voice of less weight than
that voice which first led them astray.
But in this matter of leadership Of
public opinion, the press takes the fore
most place; for it is the editor who really
is the keeper of the political consciences
of his people. What he promulgates
through his columns is accepted as Cos
pei truth by his patrons, and one error
sent forth into the world by him does
more harm than thousand truths can
vindicate. It has been put forth az an
axiom thaterror is harmless, while truth
is left free to combat it; but this is not the
case. It might be, were all persons Ca
pable of discriminating between truth
and falsehood; but the best of us are liza
BILE to accept error as truth. The gaudy
robes and dazzling jewels in which
Falsehood is clothed, commends her tt
many, who pass by with contempt tn,
nude form of modest and unpretentiou'
Truth. Thus, then, instead of being tn,
mere refecters of public opinion, as ha!
been contended, the press and its auxilia
ries are the real manufacturers of tha
important article in the government Of
the world. Gaia
This fact was exemplified in the great
secession question of 1851. The people
at that time were almost unanimously
--Qnposed to secession, and were strong in
.aachment to the Union. In fact
,nion feeling throughout the entire
,th was as intense, and there was az
ouch devotion manifested as in Any 9th.
or section of the country. But the cleo.
ton of Mr.. Lincoln came, and the lead
ers and makers of public opinion in tn,
South determined they would carry GU
their long cherished wishesto dissolve tn
Union--making that their pretext. The.
at once commenced to operate upon tn
public, to eradicate their old feeling
and opinions, and impress new ideas upo
their plastic minds. To do this some o
the most trusted and respected lead
ers and presses of all shades Q
former politics were either forced o
induced to join In this crusade
The old politicians, who were sus
pected by the people they had SO lonI
misled and whose confidence they hat
abused, were kept in the background
lest the public, by seeing their favorite
in such bad company, might distrus
j them; and thus, in three short months
by these means was the entire public
opinion, sympathy, and. very nature 1t
selfof the Southern people changed, ane
sweeping down all opposition that fee
BILE minority did, or might, offer, they
forced the States of the South into q
war against the Government.
Z Now, our conclusion is evident If these
leaders and editors could do SO much. in
30 short a time, for q bad cause-to
break up and destroy the country, sow
the seeds of hatred and distrust, and ex-
cite feelings of malice and revenge-can
they not now, in an equally short space
of time, undo the wrongs they have
done, by going to work at once in the
good cause Of restoring the same state Of