Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-03-07
Ian the Seeded States be Brought
Back?

Ii we arc to take the dictum OF Pres
ident Davis, or the declarations of tho
Commissioners from Georgia, Mississip-
pi and South Carolina, before the Vir-
glnia Convention, the hope of restoring
the Union must be abandoned. But we
not unfrequently meet with evidence
that these gentlemen have mistaken the
wishes and sentiments Of the people for
whom they speak The following. from
the Corinth Miss Advertiser, of the 9th
instant, throws out some suggestions
bearing upon the question. the force of
which we think will strike every mind.
Says the Advertiser:
Recent Developments point with I'M
crring directness to the greatest struggle
yet fought between the friends and enc
mics of the American Union. Virginia,
the mother of States and Presidents, has,
by an almost unanimous voice, declared
for its preservation, and to-day Tenncs-
see will, we hazard the opinion, follow
in her footsteps. Their action will con-
troll tho action of all the Border States,
if the Peace Congress at Washington
shall settle upon plan of adjustment
That that body will aggreo upon an ad-
justment we have every reason to believe,
which will force upon the Cotton States,
who have seeded, the question ofre-un-
ion. Ia considering their probable ac-
ton We must consult their previous his
tory upon this point. Even thu Con-
vention Of this State, so unanimous in
its passage of the ordinance of secession,
voted down by large majority reso-
luton against reunion. If the Conven-
ton, under the excitement of highly
wrought sensation dispatches, would
refuse to pass such resolution, it GER
tainly is safe to assume tia, the pc pie,
who in many cases were induced to vote
for secession candidates under an assur-
ance that they were no, Disunionists.
would, by large majority, favor re-un-
ion. Indeed, so conscious were the Dis
unionists Of the opposition Of the people
to secession, that they refused to refer
the question back for their approval -
But Mississippi-saving South Carolina
and Florida-is the most of all the States
now out committee in sentiment against
reconstruction; therefore, her citizens
will the more readily agree to a e-union
when Alabama and Louisiana agitate for
the repeal Of their secession ordinance.
If, for no other reason, interest, the
great prompter Of hrmane action, would
force them to acquiesce in the necessity
and bow to Federal authority. Of one
thing, at least, We believe the intelligent
looker-on is fully convinced, viz: that
civil war or reconstruction is unavoida-
BILE Eren the first levy for the new
Government has SO exasperated the al
ready burdened two papers As to only
require leader to induce them to res
list the collection of the law. That n
leader. ere long. will be found there can
be no doubt, unless turn in public af.
fairs shall take place; for many now quito
under the belief that the burdens Of an
independent government will be obviated
by reconstruction, will become insubor-
didate when hope is lost for reconstruc-
ton, and the Border Slave States refuse
to enter the Southern alliance.
In dispassionate review Of tho whole
field, the mind is forced to the conviction
that the question in the Seeded States
will DO reunion or separate existence.
That it will be Unexpectedly discussed
is as sure as that the question is the most
exciting one that could be presented to
the voter, nor can it be disguised that
the minority party will be restive under
defeat II the Border States refuse to
secede, as we think they will, and the
Cotton States refuse to go back into the
Union, strong prejudice will at once
be eugendered between these sections.
laying the axe at the root Of the tree Of
Southern Progress. for none who know
human nature can doubt that retalia.ory
legislation acH be adopted by the Cotton
States to force them out OF the Uaion,
which "ia merely erasperate item in re-
turnfo a like policy. elimination and
recrimination will be the order of coun-
ter LEGISLATION. paving the way to the
sure destruction Of both.
IF the Border States had been consul
ted, and had consented to dissolution
of the Union. the numbers and power Of
the new Government would have given
confidence aud insured the obedience OF
the citizens but to-day. by our preeipi-
tate action, Ue h zee lost tie confluence Of
the other iS1tes as rel az nj o,,r o,c,