The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-08-24
&c Down to Dots

The Government might learn a wholesome
lesson from the Seceshers. They have con-
Quoted their affairs with judgment, with
nerve that dos mt vince at trihes. In the
dominions that have fallen under their rule,
they have made everything bend TO the grand
object in view. They have established mil,
itary law, and made the civil law operate as
all adjunct to the iron rule. Where they get
the upperhand no individual Or newspaper is
allowed 10 say word against the cause of
Secession. Newspapers are at once suppress.
sed, and individuals driven off, hung or shot,
in the most summary manner, and the pro-
perty of friend and foe taken for the use of
the army. Neither is a murmur of complaint
allowed to BE- breathcd. And thus cleared
Of every clog or hindrance of this nature, the
whole resources of the country thus subject
TO military rule, have been used against the
Government. And is this not sensible
course for the rebels to pursue? Their object
is to overthrow tie United States Govern
mcnt, and if they cant entirely effect it, TO
to come as near it as possible. Keeping this
purpose steadily in view, have they not acted
like wise men Though their cause is bad
one, aud can only result in evil ! While the
ringleaders of Disunion have thus carried
things with strong arm, in their exclusive
sphere OF action, their a lilies have acted equal
ly spacious, and with an eye single to evil
where the Government has entire control
They have persisted in viewing things as
placed on peace footing. and have never
ceased to cry out against the Government,
usurping powers, for violating the Consti,u
ton, for creating public debts, for making
war, &c. They are making the strongest pro.
fessions Of Peace and Union, because they
dare not attempt to use arms. Thus they
try to distract and paralize the Government,
by complaints of prosecutions, while they
supply their friends in arms with all the
information and all material aid in their
power.
If they mean Secession and the overthrow
ofthe Government, they could not assist their
friends in the seeded States so el1ectualy as
they do, in any other way. The newspapers
in the interest Of Secession, publish nothing
but what is disrespcctful to the Government
and discouraging to the people. They mag
Nifty its every act into high crime, and print
the most plausible falschoods that secession
can invent to bolster up its false and dece4rul
cause.
Now let us ask any man with five grains
of common sense, what better can these
"peace" men ofthe loyal States under the
circumstances do to help their Secession.
friends further South, than what they are
doing all the time? The Government in its
maternal tenderness, to the great injury Of
its interest, suffers these things. while the
secessionists are making the most desperate
efforts TO wrest from the rule of the Federal
power Maryland and Missouri. If this was
once effected how long would Union news
paper be suffered 10 exist in them? Not one
day. How long would loyal men be allowed to
express their preference for the United States
Government, and criticise the Secession rule
Not one day. The military law would i'm.
med'ately lay hold Of every mu,murer, and
the whole land would OF once he pronounced
a unit for secession.
And if the Government will make use of
half the energy to defeat and overcome this
rebellion -shorn Of the barbarity the enemy
have piactced-that the rebels have used to
advance their interest," the weaker and unjnst
cause must succumb to the greater power,
and molly cause. The secessionis:s themsel.
YES would have more respect for the Union
cause, If the Government showed less woman.
y triding and more stern determination in
silSncins a II opposition under its sway This
is the speedy way to peace, and the sure road
10 success Let the Government learn from
the secessionists how to fight them, and bring
matters " down to dot.," for they must be
reduced to this finally.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS, BY CHARLES DICKENS
From 7. B. Peterson Il Co., BOG Chestnut