The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-05-04
For The Cecil Wing.
For The Cecil Wing.
TO THE
Union Women OF the Border States

Union Women OF the Border States.
The subject which We would ask you
seriously TO consider is Of vital importance
demanding the attention Of young and old,
rich and poor; yea, every one Throughout.
the length aud breadth Of our glorious Union.
What can be otsreatrr concern to usas peg
pie than ourplcsent national troublesi Those
clouds, which luomed above our political
horizon, dimming orr country's noon day
splsnd"r. have grown darker and more
threatening. Eight States have already
leaguud themselves against our Government,
uninriing Secession flag to the breeze,
while they tralnple our -" Star Spsnglcd Ban
ner " in the dust. Rashty have the people of
the Southern Confcderacy acted in thus tear
ing themselves from our noble sstcrhood Of
States; many Of them, doubtless, hav.
regretted the folly Of that mad step, bat pride
prevents them from acknowledging it. We
know that many Of the citizens OF the Border
States are lovers OF the Union; Others how
ever, being blind to their own interests and
the welfare OF our nation, are striving to
infame the minds Of the people against the
policy OF the present Administrations urging
the Border States to rush into the very vortex
Of ruin.
The fair sex. to whom thi, letter is ad-
dressed, may innooentiy ask, what have ,ve to
do with politics or seccssion3 Can We pre-
vent calamity which has appalled, the wisest
ofour statesmen We would remind YOU of
tho assertion Of Thcmisoces, that his son
was greater than any man in Greece Being
asked how, he replied " This boy commands
his mother, his mother commands me, COM
mand the Athenians, the Athsnians govern
Greece" Whether the boys Of the present
day exercise such absolute control over their
parents may be questioned; but we are
assured that women exert an extensive
influence over IS the lords of creation" We
would not have you rush to the ballot -box,
nor preside over political assemblies but in
the quiet home circle, let your voices ever he
for the preservation Of the Uuion. The father
husband, brother, or son who will not be
moved by the earnest, persuasive plcadings
OF woman's voice, must have a heart of
adamant. When Coriolanus, at the head of
p""Nii"' "'"s "PPC"ieu oGlOIC tHe SateS Oh
Rome he turned a deaf car to all proposals
for peace; each embassy from the Senate was
met with the cry "prepare for war; What
overcame his stern resolutions2 Naught.
but the pathetic, soul-Subduing enrraties of
his mother each word as it fell FROM those
maternal lips melted his icy nature, until the
deadly hatred Of u foe gave place 10 the feel
ings ola man.
Oh! then, women of America, initiate
Feturia's example, shrinking not from the
duty we woald impose on you, but ever
remembering the honor and happiness of our
citizens are at stake. Not a century ago our
land was bathed in blood. New Engand's
wales and Cardinals groves were alike filed
with the din and clash OF battle. Bloody was
that contest, bnt victorious was Its issue
For our glorious liberty. for our initssoluble
Union, fel! earths n"blest heroes. Shall the
foul hands ot Secessionists be permitted to
sully that Union chain which should ncrer be
broken, every link of which was purchased,
not with paltry silver and gold, bat with the
Hfe-blood ofpatriots, and the tears of widows
and orphans This is no timo for doubts
and fears each one Of us must be active and
persevering, and God grant that our humble
eifolts may he crowned with success We
believe that the touching eloquence of every
patriotic wife and mother will hare greater
influence III calming this wild storm Of seces-
sion than thousand Union speeches from
our most gifted orators. When tho voice of
Webster or a Clay would be met with misses
and cries of dersion, the earnest melting
tones of sister would reach the ipmost
rccesses ofnan's heart.
We all shudder at the baro idea of civil
war, and well may wc--when We picture to
ourselves the horrors which attend it-when
we behold the young man cut down in the
bloom OF lite, by brothers. honl-when we
turn from tho revolving scenes of the battle
hcld to the desoae fire sides of the widows
and the fatheriess-and we would f.ien hope
that these party differences might be amcably
adJus'ed. But oh! should struggle ensuc
should our land be drenchcd in blood let us
perform our duties faithfully, going forth as
ministcrng angels, to encourage the timid
and faint hearted, to bind the wounds of the
suffering, and to Whisper words of hope and
consolation in the ears of the dying When
We see loved one fall, lighting for his coun-
try's honor, then, like Molly Pitcher of old,
let US take his post and carry ON the work
bravely. Live for the Union, and il need DO
die for the Union. Oh! listen to the appea! Of
One WHO Loves THE STARS AND SrlrEs.
Cecil county, .aprH "th, 1861.