to
prevail in all quarters; and we may well congratulate ourselves and our
country, if we should pass through such a contest without having
numerous scenes of trouble and even bloodshed in the war of parties, as
episodes and accompaniments to the grand war of the sections. In its
effects on the national cause at home and abroad, the violence of that
proceeding will be something like one of those lamentable occurrences
which sometimes take place in the army, when portions of our own
forces, through misapprehension, turn their arms against each other in
the face of the enemy. If we shall not actually take each other's lives,
we shall weaken and distract the country by our dissensions and mutual
denunciations. Ambition on both sides--on the part of those in power
seeking to retain it and using their authority for that end, and on the
part of their opponents resisting perhaps beyond the bounds of
legitimate opposition--will shed its baleful influence through the land,
and intensify the animosities naturally arising upon the recurrence of
our great quadrennial struggle.

Yet would that grand emergency offer to a wise and patriotic
Administration an inestimable opportunity for the noblest exhibition of
unwavering firmness, justice, and self-denial. Should there be presented
an example of perfect singleness of purpose, with no room for suspicion
of sinister objects, or personal ambitions and enmities; should the
Administration in all its departments, devote itself exclusively to the
sacred work of preserving the nation, regardless of all consequences to
individuals or parties, then would the approbation of a grateful people
be its sure reward, and the patriotic masses would take care not only of
the Government, but of those, also, who had thus nobly and fearlessly
administered it in the critical hour of its mortal danger. A contrary
course would only lead to disaster in the momentous operations of the
war, and to distraction and weakness among the people, whose duty and
disposition it is to sustain the Government in all honest efforts to
conquer the rebellion. The temptation insensibly to depart from this
pure and patriotic policy is great and almost irresistible. It is so
easy and so natural for one in power to persuade himself that he ought
to retain it, that himself or his party is the only safe depositary of
public authority, and that the general interest requires him to be
sustained by all the means at his command, _per