The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-06-08
Dcfcction-Past and Present.

Dcfcction-Past and Present.
The country has been struck with amaze.
ment at the wholesale treachery or cowardice
developed in almost every branch of the Gov
eminent service by officers who had sworn
fidelity to it. Europe has been equally as
toni>bed with ourselves, imputing 1t to lack
OF genuine, honest love of country peculiar to
Americans. an absence Of all respect for the
highest obligations which men can assume.
and thence inlerring tina. the whole tone of
society among us is SO thoroughly dcmoralzed
that the great Republic Of the earth is fast
crnmbllng to rum. But this widespread
infd,lily to the Government is no new Incl
dent In American history. III modern SER
pcnt approached the heroic Scott with infa-
nous proposals, so Duchc, whose sublime
prayer as chaplain to the Continental Con-
greSS melted the hearts OF his audience as
often as he bent TO repeat it, fcl away from
his loyalty, and enjoys the sole infamy OF
having sought to corrupt Washington
While THIS wretch was praying to Almighty
God for the success Of the Revolution. his
heart was black with treason. The Wings
of Virginia were so alarmed at the idea Of
Independence that they sent Carter Blaxlon
to turn the vote Of that Colony against it, if
any question on that suhject should come up
before Congress. Though John Adams urged
the adoption Of the Dvcla alton with imoclu-
GUS cloqurnce. yet it was carried with great
reluctance, and doubt and hesitation prevailed
even in Congress. Jefferson wrote that "even
after the commencement of hoStilties, the
possibility of sepal alton from England was
contemplated with affection by all' John
Adams went even fuRher than this. declaring
that :" there was not moment during the
Revolution when would not have given
everything possessed for restoration of the
state of things before the contest began, pro-
ridcd We could have had sufficient security
Tor its continuance" Galloway and the
Aliens Of Pennsylvania abandoned the Wing
cause So, also, did the Skinners of Now
Jersey, the Bayards, De Lanceys, aud ~
registers Of New York, most Of them com.
handing companies or regiments. William
Stark: the brother Of the hero of Bennington
left 1t. and took up arms for the British
Washing'on's friend, Mackenzie, did the
same. Iubly, delegate IN Congress from
Georgia, iurncd traitor outright. Gen. Reed,
made timld by WaSlington's disasters IN
New Jersey. had his imidty removed Only
by the victory at Trenton. Nathan Hale
was recognized by one of his own relatives
while on his perous mission, and BY him
was betrayed to a death upon the gallows.-
Washington 5 life was several limcsattenptcd
and ca5nls, instigatcd and shared in by
officers OF high rank, were formed to disgrace
HIM. The sympathles Of even such man as
Alexander Hamilton were at first in favor of
the Royal side. as he himself admits in his
reply to Wilkins. The kinsmen of Van
Wart, who captured Andrew. were Tories -.
Every State had its regiment Of traitors. list
as many have them now. Arnold, who com
| inanded one, was no worse than Beaurcgard
or Pryor. lie sought to give up only single
fort. Archibald Hamilton Of New York at
one time commanded seventeen companies of
Tories. When Charleston was threatened by
the British, her citizens refused in body to
aid in her defence, and when captured they
| fiocked with disgraceful sycophancy to the
enemy's standard, eager to abandon principle
| for safety.
The clergy generally refused to support
the Government, and either sided with it's
enemies or fled. Most of the great lawyers
did the same, and the violence Of the Tory
doctors was notorious. OF the newspapers,
five abandoned their colors aud become
traitors. Judges, Governors. and other func-
honaries without number fell of in the same
way. In fact. the history CT the time shows
that the Wigs we've as unstable aSthe wind.
Interest governed many of them as now
When their armies had achieved victory,
all were jublant and firm. When they
feared the Government was about to be over
thrown, they hastily abandoned it, as our
Southern traitors have been doing under alike
impression. When dominant in cities they
organized nroljs and committed frightful ex-
ccsses, rvaing the atrocities of Baltimore. -
When awed in these stronsholds by the pre-
sense of hostile bayonets, they SUNK away
as dumb and powerless as do the Baltimore
rufIians now. No less striking were the
alterations from fear to defiance aad from,
defiance to fear among the Tories. Thus
human nature in all ages preserves its char.
acteristics. ~. !. Tribune. -