Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-05-17
Gbc National Crisis.
[From the New York Tribune, May 81
What is the Prospect?

What is the Prospects,
LET not him that putteth on the har-
ness boast as he that taketh it off," In
the beginning of all contests, the habit
of disparaging and contemptuously csti-
mating the adversary to be overcome, is
an almost universal weakness of human
ity. Unreasonable, Unreasonable con-
idence of success has ruined too many
gallant leader and righteous cause. Let
us consider, then, with all possible i'm
Partially, the prospects of the Union
cause in the struggle now opening.
l. And, in the outset, let the folly be
utterly booted Of supposing that the re-
bells will not fight. They WiH, they must
fight, and that desperately. A peaceful
adjustment is sheer impossibility, and
has been from the hour that the iron hail
was Gfst rained on the walls Of devoted
Sumter. The men who planned, direct
ed, executed, and even those who in any
manner melted, that fendish act, are
traitors to the United States, and as such
are instinctively and irrepressibly alb
horred by every loyal heart. They have
burned their ships, and retreat is hence
forth impossible. Any peace that may
be made must involve their signal tri.
umph or their utter humiliation. If there
were no other obstacle to half-and half
settlement, the position of the Army and
Navy officers whom they have seduced
from their loyalty would be insuperable.
Here are great numbers of sworn defen-
ders of the authority and flag Of the
Union, from Gen. Twiggs down, who
have been dyed in treason so black that
no Government not utterly broken down
could consent to overlook it. Can the
traitors agree to abandon these officers,
without support or profession, to the cold
charities of frowning world? Could
the government consent to their restora-
ton to the rank they have forfeited, the
trust they have betrayed? If it could.
would loyal and faithful officers consent
to serve with and under them =? The idea
is utterly inadmissable.
III. Nor will it answer to depreciate
the military resources and efficiency of
the rebels. Even towards in their posi-
ton would fight desperately, and they
are 10 towards. Most of them have been
trained from the cradle to consider per-
sonnl bravery the very first requisite Of
manly character, and skill in the use OF
arms the first necessity Of a gentleman.
Tho rife and revolver have been their
playthings from boyhood, and the duel
or some difficulty involving peril to
life, are with them themes of daily con-
temptation and frequent observation. -
And, while we are confident that ma
iority of the Southern people are Mt heart
Unionists to-day, we judge that seven
eighths Of the lighting force-''the chiv-
airy" of the slave States, the young, the
daring, the ambitious, the desperate
have been drawn into the meshes of the
rebellion. They have many Of the very
best Of our late army officers, and their
soldiers will az first be better led and
handled than ours Such are the ad-
vantages with which they will enter upon
the contest, add to which it must be
fought mainly on ground which they
know thoroughly and we.very imperfcciy,
in the midst Of their resources, and at
distance from ours, while ten Of the in
habitants Of the seat Of war will eagerly
give information to their leaders, where
one will venture to give any to ours.