Litchfield enquirer., 1861-09-12
Have we SecessiOnist among us {?

We happened to hear in the street, day or two after the brilliant victory of >our Navy at Cape Hatteras, mortal in the guise of a man, happily not native born American, reply-in answer to query as to the news when the pa pers were full of the accounts of that victory, "There isn't anything of much account-a good deal of 6ombast, but no great affair.""
 It was easy to tell which way Mat mans sym pathies tended. In his case they arc not parti- cularly brave or consolatory to the rebels as but few weeks ago the same individual was shaking in his shoes for fear of "visitation from the Union men," and running about with most dis tressed and woe-gone air to borrow an American Flag which he made a most conspicious and timely display of, to avoid what he considered the dreaded alternative of being compelled to ac nowledge it, and to swear to stand by it.
 But we do not bring up this mans case to at- tract special attention-the man and his case are both too contemptible-only to point q moral for all of our towns.
 Since the affair at Bridgeport, and, nearer bye, at Morris, the arrest of the perambulating peace apostle Schnable, and the Governors proclaim stion, VIC hear very much less of Peace parties or secessionists or traitors in Connecticut and in this County, and we know of several prominent and hopeful conversions.
 five have any Secessonists or <" Peacc'' men among us, they keep peaceful tongue in their heads, and do not allow their utterance to secede from their prudence. That their eyes and under standings have been suddenly opened to the fact with a vision and an exhibition of power as di- rect and distinct as St. Paul's-that there is Government yet in this land, that it is not yet shaken or shorn of its power, and that its strong arm can reach out and pick up traitors even in the most obscure towns and road ways, we do not have much doubt. That these timely and direct manifestations of power and strong government have had good effect were none too soon wehave the happiestconviction and consciousness of That the Government has not yet done with aA the traitors in Connecticut, and can-stil find candidates for the healthful influences of the breezes that wait solemnly and sweety through the port holes of Fort Lafayette, we are more than simply assured of
 Butwe can be quite contented with what already has been done, and the good it thas accomplished since we believe our brave little state, and oun good old county in particular, is saved hereafter from any more "Peace" meetings-from any more gatherings in clans of traitors-from any moro dupes of Secessionists under pay of hte re osls-from any more plottings and counsellings aga'nst the interests and the executive guardians !" our once happy and peaceful natiou-from any more inaammatory appeals to the bascst pas sions of the community, which, under the false cry of liberty of speech and freedom of the Press,' have disgraced in the highest depree q free press and free people-and would have soon brought the odium of all abroad unon on, state, if not civil war within our own borders
 But it is still we'll, in all of our little towns ,ri communities, to keep bright lookout, and no unfequentlyto inquire" Have We secessionist among'us?"