Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-20
Many Men and Many Minds.

In our issue Of last week, we inserted the
opinions of two Bishops of the Episcopal
church against secession. Our readers may
be- aware that another has expressed differ
ent opinion. The venerable Bishop Meade
of Virginia, alluded to the subject in his Ad-
dress TO his Convention at Richmond, last
week. Though aged and feeble his opinions
are always received with measure of respect.
His long connection with Virginia has nat
uralIy given him II strong sectional Partially
for everything done there, and he says all he
can, and more than he need, as to the mo-
tives and issue of the contest, upon which
she has entered.
But while the feelings of the Bishop ycarn
over the Union, and mourn over the separa-
ton from his brethren, he views the matter
only in the light of expediency, and ignores
the principle which is involved in the case.
He loves the Union, but says nothing of tho
obligation which binds lis all to maintain it.
lie concludes from the state Of feeling in the
nation, that its happiness would be promo
ted by separation" and thinks the evils
resulting from a war to sustain a single con-
federacy, will far exceed those apprehended
from the establishment of Second" But
the supporters Of the government. in the
first place, think the evils of war however
protracted, are comparatively nothing, to
those of utter disorganizaton. What is this
second Confederacy? a rope of sand, con-
fessedly, having no principle of cohesion, but
every element of dscord, even in regard to
slavery, which may not always exist in the
border States, and cannot long survive
the Union. Two Coufcderacics Why not
twice two; or a dozen rather? Take away
the keystone, and will each side of the arch
stand alone, or only fall in two pieces
And secondly, they believe that they arc
bound to maintain tho Constitution, without
regard to consequences. They have no choice
and must not consult their own feelings.
They are under oath to God and to man to
sustain it against all who unlawfuly invade
it. And apart from all this, they don't be-
icve in the inlallibility or omnipotence of old
Virginia, and see too many symptoms oi
second childhood in the ruling minds Of its
Eastern section to follow her leading, down
towards the CUR States of anarchy and des-
potism. These are the only probable, OF
possible results Of her present movement, as
she was warned long ago, by Washington
and Jefferson and Madison. But she heeds
no longer the " farewell" counscs and plead
ngs of her sages and her heroes
Some may object to any such expression
of opinion by Bishops and Clergyman on
political subjects. And in ordinary times,
none of the above probably would have ex-
ercised the tight of doing so. But these are
times and questions, which make it impossi-
BILE for any man of honesty and prominence
to keep silence. Principles of moral duty,
as well as considerations of secular interest
are involved. In such crisis, every one
must take sides, and few object to any ones
doing SO, if he agrees with them. If other
wise. of course they think it very wrong for
anybody II say anything. This attempt to
prevent liberty of speech, is one of the strong
est measures of secession at this time, and we
hope that no class of our citizens will sub
nit to this oppression for moment. This
has been supposed to be a free country it
remains to be proved, whether it is so.