The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-02
The Sentiments OF the People and Their
Leaders,

The Sentiments OF the People and Their
Leaders.
DURING the first session of the present Con-
gress, when our legislators were letting the
winter pass by without the passage of suffi-
ciently radical measures, whenever any one
complained of what seemed to us lack of
nerve, we were told that Congress must act
cautiously, lest it should go ahead of the
people. "The masses are not educated up to
the required Standard, was Jne uurvvlea,
reply, and the representatives feared lest they
should surpass in radicalism those who had
elected them, and whose wishes they were
they did they acted wisely. 1t would not
have done for the Congress of the United
States to have gone so far that their action
would not have been indorsed by the popu-
lar verdict. They played the part of
careful men; but in the judgment
Of the American people, they were
guilty of vast mistake. The people have
been, for two years, far in advance Of their
leaders in all their sentiments. When the
war required the proclamation of freedom to
the slave, the leaders were in advance of their
constituents. In September, 1862, when Mr..
Lincoln issued his preparatory proclamation
the Northern people were not prepared to
yield to it a willing assent; but before the
hundred days had elapsed they had seen the
truth of his premises, and arrived at the same
conclusion. Since that time the masses have
grown accustomed to rapid education. The
press and the pulpit, those two vast levers of
political as we'll as social reform, have spoken
out their doctrines boldly; the people have
chimed in, and to-day they are far more ad-
vanced than their political chiefs. We have
carefully noticed the feeling manifested in
various parts of the country, and wherever
the speakers openly maintain ultra radical
views, they are received with the greatest en-
thusiasm by the people.
The doctrines which would not have dared
to been enunciated two years ago are to-day
are most popular, and many OF those subjects
which policy dictates us to avoid to-day, will
be best received by these same audiences two
years from now. In 1860 no one could advo-
| cate the freedom OF the slave without receiV-
ing insult, and exposing himself to oppro-
brium. The term "abolitionist" was a dreaded
one, and one which was repudiated by almost
all to whom it was applied.
To- day no man can be found, North or
South. who will say that he is not in favor OF
universal freedom. Such is one lesson which
has been taught us by the stern logic oi
events. Two years ago no one could be
found who demanded for the blacks the
rights of citizenship, the civil rights which
belong to all men. To-day even the Demo.
cracy dare not deny to them these rights
and Democratic speakers to-day profess to be
desirous of giving them the justice Of
equality before the law. All this but
instances the wonderful strides the people
are taking in their advancement. And in
view Of this progress, would it not be we'll ia
see where this rapid Improvement in liberal
views viii lead us? Is it not well for the
Southern States to consider that which il
now considered all that is needed for then
viii, year hence, appear weak and totally
insufficient guarantees? We can assure
them that already the North is begin
ming TO repent that so easy, so magnani
nous terms we're offered. Already, in view
Of the reception which tie Constitutions
amendment has met with down South, hav,
we grown to believe that something far NOR