Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-12-27
From our Washington Cores
pOnlCnt.
WAsHtsaToN, Dec. oath


clouds. the hoarse muttcriugs If discomfort,
and the broodings Of civil war, may still bc
found hopeful hearts md reliant minds. The
worlds history is but q record Of the con-
hicts Of passion, the evidences OF which lie
scattered along the truck of ages.
The electric flashes from Southern sky,
for nearly two months past, had fully pre-
pared US for the discharge of South Caro-.
iinas hund1boh on Thursday last. Aside
from its novelty i. produced little surprise,
and was attended with scarce the power to
quicken, by n single vibration, the throbbings
Of the public pulse. Why this unwontcd
compusure In view Of al act Of such startling
significance? Can it he that the imbocIity
snd treachery or the Administration has in
lectei the masses, and bunted their appre-
citation of the true value Of the Union |
apprehend not. NCr docs it proceed from II
disbelief in TIE sincerity of those engaged in
this act of mH,!ness.
When narrowly exou7inel It may be
traced to a strong f.th, III abiding conf
derce in the God Of "ur fathers; al uuGsI-
teriug trust TINT We will continue to be, az
we hayo been, the subjects Of al over-ruIins
Providence for good, and not for evil.
sn not ignorant that there are those
among Us who affect to deride any such
agency as applicable to the past, and there,
fore ridicus il, both rs TO the present and
future. But those who fud their solace IN
such source can well afford to commlsserate
the condition Of those who are shut out from
that inward consciousness. and thoso hncr
links which unite God to mans secret heart.
Derlde rs they may, tho statesman who re-
poses upon this arm must always share more
largely the confidence Of his peers and the
affections Of lis cruntrymen, than one who
ignores it, The public man confident in his
own strength, self-poised in his own wisdom,
ia Ms "cnpoa lighted from below" 1t is
yaid Of ono Of tho most renowned Of ancient
history, whilst he could riAicule and pro-
fame the mystic rites Of Roman Mythology,
still believed in his fortune ~ in q God.
Whom ye ignorant'y worship, Him declare
| unto you.'
Was there ever such spectacle as we now
preselt 10 tho eyes Of Christendom? How
ine1plicablc, not to say criminal, would wc
appear in our own sight, could we but pause
long enough to look in upon ourselves
| Blessed above all others in religious and civil
liberty, crowned with the abundance Of the
| earth, we can find 10 better employment
than making war upon our own peace. And
vet il would seem to be ever thus in human
affairs; ever struggling for the highest attain
able happiness, yet at every turn. with every
fancied wrong, dashing the cup which con-
tains 1t from our lips and trampling this
prlrest of earthly blessings under Our feet
| But it may prove true in our case, as it has
with the fatcd Republics Of the past, that oul
very success is to DO the source Of our dc
struction--the Intoxicating cup which allure
but to ruin. AZ the warmth u the su,
brings the thunder, aud the glory "f forum
wakes the storm Of the soul, 20 have on
growth and prosperity brought with thcu
the lishtnings which now play round on
national pathway, bewildering and binding
US to the actual dangers by which we are en-
vironed. For surely charity suggests that W
ds>rsli, as libel upon our humanity tia
there are those among us base enough to de
sire that the tree of liberty. planted ami'
storms and watcrcd lavishy with noble blood
even the blood Of our fathers, should withc
and die because Of disappointed ambition o
unhalluned greed Of Office.
The causes of variance, it Is said. lie dee
in the antagonsm of irrepIessible principle,
Certain 1t il, that We have reached point il
our national progress where we must con
front the questions in issue without lodging
No patchel-up truce, no hollow compromise
no adjustment short Of That which will fu
ever place i beyond the reach OF demogoguc
t, disturb or Of parties to destroy, W satsf.
the public mind.
Ont Of the chaos which has hitherto PIE
vailed order ia beginning to lie evolved iu til
shape of sundry propositions looking to com
promise. The Senate has emulntejl the Ilous
Ia the appointment Of Committee of Thr
teen, specially charged with the crisis.
embraces all shades Of opinion. Mr.. Critten
den, of Kentucky, who is a member of il
submitted in advance Of his appointment
proposition in the nature Of the Missouri
Compr, mise. Differing, however, in that
recognizes slavery ms existing and 10 he pro
tccted south Ct the line Of SO 80, which is t.
be run TO the Pacific.
The House Committee Of 1hrty-threo keel
their deliberations us much rs possible from
tn" public eye. Enough is known 10 asser
that the member from Arkansas, tMr Rust,
is pressing II vote ON Mr.. Crlicndcn's plan
1t is probable the Committee will he uuabl
I agree, aud that three reports will be mad
To the House. 1t is barely possible that al,
measure of adjustment will command tn
assent u Congress.
Tie Union sentiment is on the increase
and already the kindling str,nks are tiAship.
towards this great political centre
Gen. Mcqueen alone, Of the South Caro-
lima delegation. remains, for the purpose, II
is said, this morning formally to nnuounc,
her withdrawal from the Crnfederacy.
A robbery of over S800,OC0 is reported i,
the Interior Department, which, ii is said
! will involve Cabinet officer and several q
the employees. Verify, the present Admin
,straton il destined to an Immortality q
infamyi OCCASIONAL.