Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-04-11
The Government and Its Policy.

We have observed in many journals dis
position to find fault with the government,
because it has not announced the policy it
intends to pursue in the present unhappy
state OF affairs in our country. We are not
disposed to join in their demonstrations, for
we cannot suppose that the gentlemen who
havs the control Of the government, could
have devised policy with thu same haste
that a trickster would play his pranks, but
having been elevated to the important posi-
tons they occupy, at period when the af-
fairs OF tho nation have assumed complica-
ton entirely unique and of such character
as no foresight could have devined, 1t would
have justly subjected them to the charge of
rashness II they had, before they had taken a
careful survey Of tho vast machinery Of the
nation, determined upon any policy as pro-
per to be pursued in the present exigencp-
We think they have acted wisely, in making
haste slowly. But when the government has
adopted its policy. which we suppose will be
made to change, rs the changing circumstan-
ces around 1t may dictate, it is not likely that
that policy will be published to the world
thus enabling the enemies Of tho government
a fair opportunity to Illustrate it in its de-
signs. We have statesmen at the helm of the
nation, as is beginning to be seen and felt who
will only make known their policy by their
dcts-this Is wise and statesmanlike, and we
hope it will be pursued to the end despite the
clamors of professed friends and denuncia-
tons Of avowed enemies. One thing how
ever It would crafty us to see done, and that
is for the President to issue his proclamation
giving a full and explicit statement of the
existing state Of affairs and calling upon oil
lovers of free government and of this glo-
rious confederacy to rally to its support
We think the time has come when every man
should take his position either for or against
the government; matters have arrived at that
state, and the exigen ,ies Of tho day are such
that it is no longer just or right or proper
that they who are against the government
should be concealed by some cobweb cover
ing which renders their position dubious. Let
every man show his hand--for or against.
--.-.~.>
THE Virginia Legislature adjourned on the
fourth instant. Many of the Virginia papers
denounce its proceedings, as tending to the
destruction Of liberty and the ruin of the
people by excessive and onerous taxation
The refusal to allow the people to determine
for themselves in reference to the call of
convention and the reluctance with which it
consented that they should decide whether or
not. il an ordinance Of secession was passed.
1t should be submitted to the people for their
acceptance or rejection, is striking evidence
of their want Of confidence in their constitu-
ents, and distrust in the favorite doctrine of
Americans that man is capable Of sslf-gov-
ernment II is remarkable that the same
want of confidence in the people has charac-
terized the movements OF the secessionsts
cverywhere.-had the ordinances of secession
been submitted to the people of the seceeding
States, and had they voted favorably upon
them, it would have had much more favor
able influence m the Border States, and, per-
haps reconciled many who are now utterly
hostile to the whole thing. to The organiza-
ton Of the Southern Confederacy. We APP
pend here. the resolutions passed by the Leg
islature, ia reference to the removal of guns
upon the part Of the general government, in
compliance with a contract made three years
ago-they show concusively that the seces-
sion Legislature intended to embarrass the
government in every possible way anil acted