The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-10-05
Ole Cecil lubio.
ELKToN. OCTOBER S, 1861.
Educating the People for the
WGrk EefOrc Them.

The most remarkable trait in the American
character is the faculty Of the people for
adapting then selves to the pcculiarites Of
their situation, and the facility with which
they become educated for the performance
of whatever duties the casualties Of life set
before them. Nothing has ever served to
bring out to view so wildly, this marked
trait of the Anglo Amcric ~ race, as this
Satanic Rebellion. To more fully compre-
bend this, let any man examine the rapid
charge that has taken place in his own feel.
ings and thoughts within the last ten months.
The fact Of the American people, by univcr.
sal consent, as it were, laying aside the arts
of peace, and changing their country into
Il camp, is conclusive illustration of that
sccrct sympathy which moves them as one
people, and whicI. has made them so suddenly
a great and powerful nation. This fact is an
evidence that the system Of government
under which they have hour>icd and
developed so rapidly, has sprung up from
the hearts and inclinatons of the people, as
part Of their bcing--a grand necessity of
their very existence. This fact is Il guaranty
that our present system Of government will
be sustained, because it is the grand indls-
pcnsablc necessity Of the American people.
This remarkable tact-not so visible in the
beginning ofthc present contests becoming
more and more prominent every day. 1t is
evident that the Governments. is the mere st
creature Of the people, guided entirely by
therwil Any man OF moderate intelligence
and understanding can see that it is the great
undauntcd uncouq urrn bic will of the Amcri-
can people that is shaping the course of the
Administration. debating all It's acts, and
driving it irresistibly forward to the accom-
plshmcnt Of it's purpose. There is an instinct
implanted in the heart of man which bids
him, without regret or hesitation, to sacrifice
everything for the preservation Of life, for
on the safety of that life depends the enjoy
ment Of all else. So it is with the free irsi.
tutions Of the American people. All they
have of wealth and happiness in this world,
they owe to the Gbcrality and bcncfcencc OF
their observation-disclosures, without pausing to
reason, any more than a drowning man
pauscs to reason, they are casting eve. ythng
into the balance in favor of their cherished
institutions.
The blow came so suddenly that it for a
moment seemed to paralyze and stun the
nation. But soon it recovered from the
shock, and began to muster and prepare for
the coming storm. The long habits OF peace
and all her quiet pursuits had to be directed
into new channels, and the arts of war
became the study Of the people. And by
that moral tide, which moves the popular
mind as simultaneously and irresstibly as
the tides of the ocean stir up the great deep
the hearts Of the people were moved and
from peaceful course their thoughts com.
menccd TO flow in warlikc channel.
Every day we can notice this war spirit on
the increase. Look around and in our midst
we can perceive this change in the thoughts
and habits Of the people. They accept it as
necessity of the times-a duty placed bcfsre
them-a burthen Of life imposed upon them
and laying hold Of it in their might, lift it ny
and bear it forward with a shout.
The people of the Border States were the
most reluctant to move in this great struggle
W liCil StcNo WI onc quo " oNcTlIlTOW popular
institutions, and on the other to maintain
them. They sought to he neutral for time,
but a mighty power hey ond mans control is
npheaving the popular heart, and the people
OF the Border States are rapidly taking sides,
and hurrying to the contest. They are
becoming educated in their duties-the
duties which Providence has destined they
should meet and perform like men, or sink
beneath them and perish as an gnoble and
unworthy race. In Missouri In Kentucky
IN virginia, and along the Maryland bord,
'he battle RACES. Daily and hourly the legions
oi popular institutions are mastering in
FORCES more and more formidable. In our
midst the people are accepting the war for
their institutions as a greet and unavoidable
necessity, and are entering into the work
with that spirit Characteristic of the race-
Where one man in this county, two months
since, with ha rd coaxing, could be persuaded
to enlist, ten now enroll themselves with
nlacrity. All the resources of the country
are turning in steady stream to sustain the
government and overthrow the foul rebellion
and the American race in all their history