Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-03
THE APPROACHING SESSION OF CONGRESS.

THE APPROACHING SESSION OF CONGRESS.
Never has Congress met under more event.
full circumstances, says the New York Metho
dist, than will surround it on the fourth of Ju-
ly, 1861. From the adjournment of the last
Congress to the meeting of this, there have
been mighty strides of progress. Then Fort
Sumter was beleaguered and the wisest states
men counselled its surrender /; and with each
repetition of that omipous word esurrender, -
every mans heart sank. Then the world "a
broad accepted the dissolution of the Union
as an accomplished fact. Then loyal citizens
asked one another desparingly ssHaye we a
Government 2'' How completely all this is
changed to-day At the call of the President,
an army has risen up for the defence of the
Union. The points of strategic Importance
have been occupied. Maryland has been
| saved, Western Virginia rescued from destroy
ers, and new Virginia born. In Kentucky
dsunon has been overawed, and in Missouri
it has been suppressed. Loyalty to the Gov
ernment has found an expression in East-Ten-
nessee, and is daring to speak above its breath
in n orth- Carolina strict blockade OF the
Southern ports is smotherng rebellion, by
Withdrawing from it the vital air. II we look
at the active military operations, we have the
capture of the rebel forces at st. Louis, the
rout at Phiippi, the victory at Bonneville, the
evacuation of Harper's Ferry, all of which
have been followed by decisive results. Our
blockade has been formally recognized by the
great maritime powers, strict neutrality pro-
claimed, and the last hope of the rebels ex-
| tinguished by the refusal to them of the privi-
lege of carrying prizes into neutral ports.
Our weakest Point-our commercials now
well protected. Foreign ministers in full
sympathy with the nation, in its lprescnt atti
tude. are now representing us abroad. In the
British Parliament the motion to recognize
Starrad GOpfa6prapy l a. tn
ly postponed. Snch are some of the brilliant
results secured in the brief interval from the
fourth of March to the fourth of July, 1861.
Never before, in our history at least, have
events of so mucn Importance been crowded
into the same space of time. The fact that
these victories have been almost bluOdleSS,
but adds to their lustre.
All these results have been achieved by
display of resolution. While we hesitated !,
treason prospered the moment we were. re-
solved, it began to talter. We have created a
new public opinion both at home and in Europe.
We have rcgained confidence in ourselves;
we are now certain that the American people
united, are competent to maintain the integri-
ty of the Union against all opposers. 1T is in
credible, therefore, that any man, or any
clique of men, should seriously propose COM
promise. How can we compromise? Can we,
of own free will, demand less of the par
ties to rebellion, than the laying down of their
arms, Inc uiSSOiUllon OF tnelT pseudo -COnlcu-
eracy, the restoration of the national property
they have seized, and the retakng of the oath
of allegiance A compromise with rebellion
is a capitulation. There can be no compro-
mise with the theory of secession in it's final
forul--a rebellion backed By az army. We may
surrender to it, but If We do so, let us honest
ly call the act by its right name. We are not
to be told that it is more ChriBtian to yield
it is not, when the question in controversy is
one of right and duty to ourselves and
children. AS we have already quoted from
the eloquent De Gasparin IN another part of
this paper, ''resolution is always pacific"
Timidity alone has dragged US into civil war
and resolution, firm and determined, will even
now make for us the shortest way out.
1t is TO be hoped that the unanimity of the
nation may be reflected in the unanimity of
Congress The loyal citizens of these United
States are of one mind and the intriguers
who would effect their objects by degrada-
tion OF the national honor may well beware.
And we ask that the moral effect of this una
nimity may not be marred by any wrangling
about the end to be pursued that question has
already been decided by the voice of the Da-
tion. Rebellion has thriven upon our dissen-
sions; it has paled before our united energy
and Congress by unanimity will give the death
blow to its sole remaining hopes. Our Sena-
tors and Representatives should. before they
adjourn, pass in substance the old Roman de-
cree, "Let our magistrates take care that the re-
public receires no detriment!'' And with this
ample commission may safely entrust our
cause to our rulers and to God.