Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-03-22
THE SENTINEL.
ROCKVILLE, MD.
FRIDAY. ::::: MARCH % 1861.
THE UyloN

as tue United States of America does not now
exist. Whether such dissolution has been eff
fected rightfully or wrongfullv, and whether
1t he temporary or final, are questions which
admit Of discussion ana dispute But the
terrible fact that the Union is now discovered
is not 20 be gainsaid Men are unwilling 10
make the admission-ihe country is loa;h to
yield to the conviction--hut all who give to
passing events an instant calm aud fair con-
sideration must mounfully realize the extent
OF the calamity which has overtaken us. The
federal government may decline TO take cog
nizance of the proceedings of the Gulf States,
the Supreme Court may declare the secession
ordinances null and void, and the people may
continue to speak Of our " dissatisfied fellow
country men Of the South, but never thcless
the government Of the Confederate States is a
stubborn existing fact, and their people are
TO all inients and purposes, at least for the
time being, separate and independent poo
pie. Tiey will, within a brief period, have
established their constitution, their tariff,
their army, and their nav. They are about
TO claim the recu1 milton of the world MS one
Of the family of nations and they are pre-
pared to resist any attempt ON the part of
these States to coerce Them All our efforts
we been powerless TO prevent or even check
the progress of the revolution which has pro-
dntcd these dire results. We have warned
the secessionists Of the ilegalty Of their
course, we have apostroph'zcd our country's
l.,
have encored cur national airs, we have pass
ed countless resolutions, and no:withstand-
lag all these practical and staiesmdnlike en-
dedvors We have failed to save the Republic
hope which have been SO often heraldcd,
have con .inuaIly faded before the anxious
W ,tcheis wi1 discovered them could point
out their whereabouts upon The dim HORIZON
re Uhion, then, is dissolved, lni nothing is
left for us but to turn ourselves earnestly aud
IN lnfully 10 the work of reconstruction. And
20 this labor men must devote themselves not
only honestly but promptly. II is a task that
will admit Of no delay, for the difficulties
s GROUNDING it are almost insupcrable now,
a "a they Increase with every hour The pro-
s ect of a reunion between all the States is
not at best a cheering one, but it the effort to
eject il is long postponed, the settlement Of
the dispute within any definite period may
be regarded as hopeless. The government of
the Confederate States will soon perfect its
organization, and find allies abroad, and as
it grows stronger, it will become more ten.l-
cious of its power. The people on boz sid
will speedily accustom themselves to look
upon separation as a natural or inevitable
event, and feelings Of estrans cement o. hostih
y will perhaps he rapidly developed between
them, and their disposition to adjust their
quarrel will be lessened daily. This, there
tjre IS tire opportunity which the patriots
md statesmen Of the country, if any there
lie. should turn TO quick account. If it is
lost the days of the Republic are numbered
If aflirs are suffered to remain as they now
stand for twelve. or even six months longer,
il is safe to predict that the Confederate States
W II heneeforlh maintain their Independence,
at least until that day in the distant future
When our Confederacy, with homogeneous
people and magnificent resources. shall enter
Ii loa a war OF conquest ia order to extend
GU. limits to the Gulf
But, surprising the States which have al
ready seeded can he induced toFeturn TO the
Consederacy, by what meaurcs and through
whose instrnmentality can that desirable re-
salt he accomplished 1t is clear that the
North alone is not likely TO bring about re-
,on~iliation. Not only has it manifested as
yet little willingness TO make the necessary
concessions but if il did offer SO TO do, any
overture s proceeding solely from that source
| lie consideration. Upon the Border States,
,arn, the work Of reconstruction, If 1t is TO
b. consuinmated at all, must mainly devolve.
Trey alone can frame such compromise as
would satisfy both sections, and they alone
can induce the Northern and the Gulf States
u unite upon any proposition whatsoever
But il il is possible, as we believe II is, for
the Border States still TO save the Union they
EN- only do so By taking some immediate aud
decisive step. They must act before the 10y
att with which all men have been wont TO
regard the Union shall cease 10 animate them
-',efore the people of the North and South
snail have become cmiittered against each
a ,he,- md before the inhabitants Of the Gulf
States shall have become generally satisfied
that their local interests will be best promoted
by a separation. Every weeks delay adds
another to the chances against reconstruc-
lion of the Union and if the border States
fail now to take any decisive step, we believe
they my as well forego the hope Of seeing
our old Confederacy restored to its former
state, and prepare themselves for the new and
uncer,aia future that lies before them.
Lssp CONDENSATION. AT the instance Of the
US. Government, for the use Of the Wash
II, s,on Aqueduct, a jury of condemnation was
impaueIed on the i6 h instant. TO assess and
...,-d IN. dam,ges sustained by WIN. Read !