The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-27
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 81, 1865.
Political Courage.

INTELLECTUAL force is eminently desirable
in the statesman, whether in a legislative or
executive position. But there are other
qualities that are even more necessary to
secure public respect and confidence. An IN
flexible devotion TO the right, and the courage
to assert and maintain the honest convictions
of the mind in reference to great questions OF
state, are surer guarantees Of general and
lasting esteem, than the most profound learn
ing and mental ability, either timidly or
falsely applied.
The oracular wisdom of BACON himself
could not redeem his meanness and dishonesty
from contempt. JACKSON carried away the
popular heart from all OF his intellectual
rivals, because he was known to be both
frank and firm, while they were always sus-
pected of lawyer-like inclination to snake
the worse appear the better reason" The
moral daring of CLAY, who once, on a memo
rable occasion in the Senate of the republic,
said that he would rather be right than be
President, won him more enthusiastic friends
than even his most sagacious measures or
splendid eloquence. DANIEL WEBSTER had
the grandest intellect that ever shed its light
upon our national councils; but he was
always dstrusted, because of a prevailing i'm
pression-subsequent shown to be erro-
neous-th9t he lacked the necessary nerve to
lead a parry and take the responsibility in
any critical polite cal emergency.
Courage IN a representative is, in short, the
virtue most valued by high-splrited people,
as it is also the one that often proves practi-
caliy most useful to them in the trying crises
which occasionally arise in the course of
public affairs. We have seen some of the
most brilliant men in the country discarded
from the national councils, simply, or chiefly,
on account of their exhibition OF a want of
backbone" and others, on the other hand,
elevated 10 high positions of honor and infu-
ence, who, though deficient in mind and learn
ing, could be relied upon to sustain the right
in every exigency, without fear Of personal
consequences. How often have constituent
cies been betrayed by able but timorous
representatives. How frequently have vi
cious measures been inflicted upon the
country, which might have been defeated
by the manly action of those who quietly
looked ON while the wrong was being
committed! Who does not remember how
repeatedly, for considerable time before
the Rebellion broke out, the people of the
free States were humiliated by the time
serving cowardice of some of those who were
sent to represent them in Congress? 1t is
possible, even at this late date, TO recall the
names of some Northern takers who were
scared out of all the sense they ever possessed
BY the loud-mouthed threats OF few Southern
fre-eaters to dissolve the Unlon-as If it
were true then any more than now that
this great Confederacy exists at the mere
mercy of a score or so OF noisy demagogues,
instead OF drawing its strength from the very
blood of the people! OF what Importance
is it, therefore, to the people, that man has
a sagacious mind and an eloquent tongue, il,
when the crisis of a vital issue arrives, he
can be frightened into silence, or bullied into
casting vote against his conscience and the
well-known opinions of his constituents?
These reflections have special application
to the present time. At no period of our
national history was pure moral courage
more needed in those who are entrusted with
the administration of the Government. We
say true courage, because there is wide diff
ference between that resolution which ad-
heres to an opinion deliberately formed and
conscientiously held, and the stupid obstinacy
which will stick to any view or purpose once
adopted and avowed, even though it has been
clearly shown to be unsound or inexpedient.
We are really sorry to see the President and
Congress seriously differing on certain i'm
portant questions Of national policy, and
sincerely trust that all their disagree
ments may be satisfactorily composed. That
result, however, cannot reasonably be hoped
for, II the public press of the country and the
people, violently take sides in the controversy,
and encourage the Legislative and Execu-
tive branches of the Government in mere
struggle OF contumaciousness, in which true
principles Of policy and the obvious interests
of the nation are to be sacrificed to blind
jealousy and stubborn pride of opinion. The
only wise and patriotic course to be pursued
in such a case, is to exercise mutual re-
spect and forbearance, to revise and COM
pare conflicting views, and Sndeavor, in sin
cere spirit of devotion 10 public welfare, TO
reach conclusions upon which all may cor
daily unite. And all that this win require,
is manly disposition to do what is clearly
right, regardless OF all inferior motives or con-
siderations.
The citizens of Ash6eld, Mass, are about to
erect granite monument to the memory OF the