Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-12-11

The last ray of hope for preserving the
Union peaceably, expired with the assault
upon Fort Sumpter, anl general review
of what has occurred since, may not be un
profitable. What was painfully uncertain
then. is much better defined and more dis
tinct, and the progress Of events is plainly
in the right direction. The insurgents claim
ed a strong support from North of Mason
and Dixon's line, and the friends Of the Un-
ion were not free from apprehension on that
point. This, however was soon settled
definitely, and on the right side. South Of
the line, noble little Delaware led off right
from the first, Maryland was made too seem
against the Union, aud our soldiers were
asseiled, bridges were burned and rail roads
were torn up within her limits, and we
were many days at one time without the
ability to bring single regiment over her
soil 10 the capital. Now her bridges and
railroads are repaired and orsn to the gov
ernment. She already gives seven regi-
ments to the cause Of the Union, and none
to the enemy, and her people, at a regular
election, have sustained the cause Of the
Union by larger majority and a larger
aggregate vote than trey ever before gave
to any candidate on any question Kentucky
too. for some time in doubt, is now decidedly
and think. unchangaUly ranged on the
side OF the Union. Missouri Is comparative
ly quiet, and. [ believe cannot again be
,-,r-,,,, ~. a. n ic,-r-,.,;,-;st- rIl,.-o tl-.,
States, of Maryland, Kentucky and Missou-
ri. neither of which would premise 4 single
soldier at first. have now an aggregate OF
not less than forty thousand men in the
field for the Union, while Of their citizens
certainly not more than third Of that num-
Der. and they Of doubtful whereabouts and
doubtful existence, are in arms against it
/ After a somewhat bloody struggle of months
winter closes on the people Of Western Nir-
/ ginia leaving them masters of their own
country. An insurgent force Of about 1900
{ for months domin atinG the narrow pc-insu
: lar region constituting the counties Of Acco-
mac and Northampton, and known as the
7 eastern shore Of Virginia, together with
/ laid down their arms, and the people there
have renewed their al l'egiancc anI accepted
tie protection of the old flag. This leayes
no armed insurrectioTists north of the Poto-
mac, nor east Of the Chesapeake, Also, we
/ have obtained footing at each of the i>oia-
ted points on the southern coast Of Hatteras
. Port Royal. Tybee Island, near Savannah
and Ship Island, and we likewise have some
general accounts Of the popular movements
in behalf of the Union in North Carolina
that the cause Of the Union IS advancing
steadily Southwark.
Since your last adjourn Let. Gen. Scott
has retired from .he heod Of the army DuS
ring his long life the nation has not been
unmindiul of his merit. vet on calling TO
mind how faithfully and brl lliaDtly lie has
served the country from time far back in
our history, when few of the now living bad
been born. AMI thencefDrward continually
! cannot but think we are yet his debtors
/ submit. therefore, for your consideration
what further mark of recognition is duc
t. him and to ourselves a a grateful people
With tho retirement Of General Scott
camo the Executive 5uty Of appointing in
his stead gen .ral~in~chief Of the army
1t is fortunate circumstance that ncitlcl
in council or country was thele 50 far a,
any difference Of opinion as to the prope,
person to be selected. The retireing chic
rcpaa.- ,I+x- e>r,ree-a,l - -, lI-o-,,o+ . g.
of General Mcclellan for the position, auC
in this the nation seemeI to give a unaui.
nous concurrence. The designation Of Gen.
Mcclellan IS, therefore, in a considera5l,
degree the selection Of the country
as well as of the Executive, and henc
there is better reason to hope theu
viii be given him tie cordial sup
port thus by fair Implication promise,
and without which he Cannot with 50 ful
efficiency serve his country. 1t has beer
said that one bad General is better than tw,
good ones, and the saying IS true If taken t
mean no more than that an army is bette
directed by q single mind. though infcrio
r than by two superior ones at variance arC
CiNSS Pun I'soS With tach oJDeT, ana ia
same is true in all joint operations wherein
those engaged can have none but a com
mon end in view, and can differ only as t
the chOise of means. In = storm at sea. n
one on board can wish the ship to sink. an,
yet not rnfrcl uently all go down together
because too many viii direct, and no siugl
mind can be allowed to control It.
Every day continues to developc that til
insurrection is largely, if not exclusively,
war upon the first principles Of popuia