Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-05-01
The Crisis.

The intense excitement which agItated the
country from It's centre 10 its circumference
Immediately after the announcement OF the
surrender of Fort Sumter TO the secessionists,
is slowly subsiding, and sober. thinking men
are beginning to ask. whittier are we, as
Nation, tending? Can the Union be preser-
we'd? viii the struggle be protracted one
These are questions which no man can now
assume to answer correctly. There is but
little in the present aspect of affairs to bring
Joy and hope. instead of gloom and despon-
dency. to patriotic hearts. We are no alar-
mist, se do not wish to create false panic.
bu: there is DO use 10 crying peace, peace"
when there is no peace. and AL is well"
when riiu seems impending over Ouf CouD-
try. The end Is not yet. The contest can
scarcely be said to have commenced. we
have only heard the rumbling of the Noun
tain which forctels the bursting forth of the
Valcalo, and bsheld the first large drops that
herald the storm which Is coming on. None
should, however. give way - dependency,
or abandon all hope OF better times and hap
pier days in tae future F; but it is the part of
wisdom to foresee the evils which are appro-
aching, and prepare 10 meet them. This we
advise all cur readers TO DO. While they
hope for the best, let them prepare for the
worst.
There Is oas circumstance calculated to
impart tiDge OF brightness to the almost unl-
versal aud impenetrable gloom of the present
hou--thc unauimity with which the citizens
of the loyal States. without distinction of par
ty, hare declared their determination to stand
by the President in maintaining the suprem-
acy of the Constitution and laws and il quel-
ling the Souther rebellion. Everywhere
the citizen soliieTy, their Couutry's pride.
arc seen rushing to arms with degree Ct
zeal, promptne=s aud enthusiasm, that is tru-
ly astonishing. There is 10 hesitafing, nc
tailoring Ths call Of their Country is to
them, even as the voice of God, and the ques-
ton is not SO much, who shall go? as, who
sbAu remain at home A high trust is now
committed to their charge They are, for
the time being, the sole guardians of the
Constitution and laws of our Country-oi
those free institutions which render US all
pro1d to proclaim ourselves American citl-
zens Theirs is the task Of putting down re-
belion, Of restoring tranquility to the Coun-
Try. and keeping the horrors of civil war from
their own fresides That they may accom-
plish ell this, that they may succeed iu saving
the Uniou. aud throughout the free struggle,
stand like wall of FIRE.
Between their loved hoD,es aad the wars
des2lation."
is thu prayer OF every true patriot il the laad.
The cause which they uphold is just. and we
have therefore every reason to hope that hea-
ven will eventually crown it with success.
Although the political opponent of Mr. Lin
coin, candor eompels Us TO say. that the course
he has pursued siuoe the bombardment of Fort
Sumter, has been that of a true patriot and
able statesman. lie has acted with the firm
ness aud promptness, and at the same time,
with all the csuti,n and prudence the Crisis
demands evidently looking to the Constitu.
ton aud Lass for bis guide. Fanatical abo-
Sation Of the Union, but for the immediate
inaugurati of a crusade against the insttu-
ton Of slavery in the Southern States, are al
ready beginning to censure him. but sensible
men AMI true patriots everywhere, applaud
h;s FRAMES aud forbearance under the try
lag circumstances that surround him 1t ID
,entendaI hv one idea fanatics, that Baltimore