Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-01-10
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, Jan. 8, 1851.
The South Despa1ring.
YEAR CLOSING UNDER GLOOMY AUSPICES ANL
OPENING WITH EVIL TIDINGs.

YEAR CLOSING UNDER GLOOMY AUSPICES AND
OPENING WITH EVIL TIDINGs.
From the Richmond Ext miner of January q
The year closed under gloomy auspices with
a check at Drainesville and rumored disaster
in Missouri. The year which yesterday began
has opened with evil tidings. We fear that
there is no doubt of the fact that the Northern
Union has consented to the surrender of Mason
and Slidell and with that event all hope of an
immediate alliance between the Southern Con-
federacy and Great Britain must cease.
Under other circumstances we might derive
consolation for the loss by considering the in
etfaceable disgrace that falls on the enemy.
Never since the humiliation of the Doge and
| Senate of Genoa before the footstool of Louis
XIV has any nation consented to a degradation
SO deep If Lincoln and Seward intended to
give them up at menace, why, their people
will ask did they ever capture the anbassadorsf
| Why the exultant hurrah over the event that
went up from the nineteen millions of throatsf
Why the gloTihCation of Wilkes Why the
coward insults to two unaTmed gentlemen
their close imprisonment and the blood thirsty
movements of Congress in their regards But
most of all, why did the Government of Lin
coin indulge full Cabinet with an unanimous
resolution that, under no circumstances, should
the United States surrender MeSsrs. Mason and
Slideli? Why did they encourage the popular
States Government and people swore the
great oath to stand on the ground they had
taken the American eagle was brought out, he
screeched his loudest screeoh Of dehance-then
"Dropt like craven cock his conquered tOiag''
at the first growl of the lion. This Is the atti-
tude of the enemy. 1t would greatly console us
to contemplate him, did we not know that no
new exhibition of insolence and cowardice could
sink him lower in the world estimation. The
United States has lost no character by an exhi-
bition of poltroonery as yet unknown in the di-
plomacy Of other nations. That country has
already sunken beneath the reach OF infamy.
The only charge of bayonets made during the
war by Lincoln's soldiers was that of the Fair
fax marines on Miss Slidell and the surrender
of her father at the first menace of Great Brit
ain will create rather more disgust further
disgust.
Nor can we hope for popular revulsion in
the Nornern people against the folly and pusil-
lanimity of their rulers. People and rulers are
alike. 1t is only in the sentiment of England
that we can find ray of encouragement. It is
certain that the British wanted war that they
were confident of getting it; and they will be
bitterly disappointed at the unsatisfactory re-
suit, Now, this result, though apparently due
to the lilly hvers of the Yankees is partially
attributable to the management of the Palmer
ston Ministry. That Cabinet gave Seward and
Lincoln the chance OF humiliation, when II
could have taken redress with the highland,
and shut the door to apology by recalling
Lyons, sending home Adams, and setting the
British feet at once in full sail for the scene of
action. The Palmerston Ministry Is the friend
ot the north, and is directly antagonistical to
the majority of the British nation. On these
data we venture the prophecy that in less than
three months this Ministry willfall from power
Whenever it does SO, we may anticipate i'm
mediate intervention by Great Britain In the
affairs of this continent The inclinations and
interest of that people are SO closely united ON
this one point, that we do not hesitate to de-
clare the result moral necessity. But for
some time we may be left alone III this quarrel.
Let US not repine, though the task be heavy
on the arm If we would respect ourselves,
consolidate our nationality, ensure our future
independence, and transmit heroic memory
TO posterity, we must prove to ourselves and to
all others that our own unaided strength ia
sufficient for our own redemption. If it is not,
there remains one resolution by which every
citizen that is worthy of freedom can avoid
the sight of its extinction and the spectacle OF
his country's ruin-to die in the last ditch Of
their defence.