The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-10-25
The Condition of the Nation.

Il IS now nearly seven months since the pres
eDt unfortunate civil war was iuaugur4ted. and
;ae public mind is beginning to look with inters-
anxiety for the dawning light OF peace and re-
union. Seven months will soon have passed
way since the fall of Sumter, and yet we are
still in the midst OF the impenetrahla gloon
Which has shrouded our land since the Success
III establishment of a political pafty founded up
On 4 sectional basis. Bloodshpd has failed 10
coc the hatred engendered be'wsrn those who
once were, and ought now 10 BE, bralhers-
Ihe sharp edge Of the sword has not availed
o cut the Gordian knot Of our national
'roubles. The deep-toned thu5d-r of The can
ron has reverbera.ed IN vain. The fa'e Of III.
Union is still enveloped ia doubt and our spec
alations upon the probable issue Of the conflict
csn end in only vague conjecture and doubtful
hopes or dncertalnt fears. When the war broke
cat, those who were enthusiastic in favor Of CO.
-r-Ion, assured US that The conflict would not
les. over three months; that he Seeded States
e0lid not resist cur armies, and would not if
.a; were able that there were Union men IN
" one oi th9s= States VITO would rise "a
s.r=tca d fo,t6 il eve arq1 and that, in
slo-,, lie reteliious pie o. the South would
quickly kneel at the tret # he Government
aud sue TO- mercy. How sadly have those of
Us aho held these views, been disappointed .
Since the first requsition upon the loyal States
for troops, we have lost North Carolina, Ten
aessee, Virginia and Arkansas, and Missouri and
E=ntuckv ara .,o,,, sho bIa~-'..IIrarraa oF u,ir-
ID dispute between-the Union and Secession
.e7ces. Nor is this ALL We have lost the most
important battle of the war not only has The
area of loyalty been diminished, but we have
suffered 10 treasure, suffered terribly in the loss
81 life, but still worse, the arms of the Govern
Ngn, have been dlsgraced and dishonored. The
cation gFoans under The load of iroube and
Shame that is upon it. Bankruptcy is written
On the countenance Of the merchant beggary
giares from the sunken eye of the operative
The fires of the furnace have whitened into
iieless ashes; the hammer Of the forge is silent;
he c!alter Of ;he loom is unheard, and the
dough stands rustlng in the furrow. What
shall We dol For The present the people are
Powerless. They can do nothing TO stem the
oioody tlde that is rolling over the land. The
best they can do, is to aid the Government in
making speedy :s Of the policy it has adopt
ed. No matter if That policy was settled upor
la spite OF our warning and advice no matter
whether or not, 10 our opinion, it is The proper
g:mecy for the national disease since we could
10! prevent it, let US assist the Government II
giving il fair and thorough, but not persistep
cr reckless trial. If after such trial (Which
n our opinion must be fairly rnade..in the rex
SIX months) it should tail, then LET Us endeavo
ID change the course Of the Government. by ap
Psaling TO the people in the election OF repre-
sentatives in Congress. This We deem TO be
!he proper line OF conduct in fact, we canno
see what else could BE- done in the present pos
lure of public affairs. Therefore, as we can on.
ly hope and wait, let US hope cheeIfuly anc
wait patiently.