Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-27
A Terrible Mistake Indeed.

Some one writing familiarly from Ala
bama to Bishop Potter and remonstra-
ting with the venerable prelate on ac-
count of his ordering prayers in his do
cese for the preservation of the govern
ment. says there is some terrible mis-
take between them, and asks how he
can sanction any encouragement to
"those who are engaged in this unholy,
"unprovoked, wanton sttempt to destroy
Gus and all that is dear to us?
In the entire progress of the war spi-
rit so fercely inaugurated betwixt the
sections, nothing strikes the unprejudi-
ced observer with more force than the
conduct of some of the most enlighten
ed men of the Secceding States, who
are trying to form and to direct public
sentiment there. Take the idea con-
tanned in the sentence we have quoted,
for instances and how near the truth
does it approximate? Who are trying
to destroy them and all that is dear to
them What has been the conduct of
the Government towards Maryland, for
instance? Is there any destruction
going on here. except so far as it may
be placed to the account of the Confede-
rate troops upon our borders? Even
granting the position that the Govern
ment troops have no right TO occupy our
soil--an error of the first magnitude
has there not been perfect quiet, a per-
feet sense Of safety, since their advent
amongst US And if Virginia could.
by any possibility, discard from her ter
ritory the fighting material invited thu
Their from the other Seeding STATES,
cease occupying hostile attitude towards
the Government, and stand where she
has done, in peace and security; for the
last seventy years, need she have the
slightest apprehension Of being mo.es-
ted?
4 fatal, terrible mistake indeed
has the South fallen under in this re-
gard. 1t is not surprising that the IN
enlightened masses there should take
wrong view Of the case. under the tut
ton of the ambitious leaders gAo have
famed the flames CT revolution amongst
luCll put II % diutLlht, INV SN"@"'-''
men. reading men, should grid on their
armor to prevent war Of 'subjugation
not justified By single word or act en-
anating from the Government proper
If these men in the Seeding States will
persist in treating the utterancca Of the
ultra prints Of New York Us the official
utterances Of the Departments At WASH
ington, why they will labor un'ler terri
bic mistakes to the end Of the chapter.
Let it be borne in mind that, 50 far.
even in Virginia, coercion and waF
have been the direct result Of action by
her officials. Tho battle Of faI!ippi,
the first of any magnitude sine" the at
tack on Sumter; was fought hCtwiSt : H.
ginians themselves who were opposed to
Gov. l.ctrher's programme for coutroiing
the Union sentiment in Western Flr-
ginia, and VIC need only quote the Sc
ceding Governors order 10 destroy the
public property there to demonstrate
who is provoking strife.
If men who are gathering their han
drcds of thousands to follow NJ the de-
monstgation begun by themselves n
Charleston canuot see that they are still
the aggrossors, the 'misteke' :hey have
made will be apparent enough when by
their action thew have drenchci the Iand
in fralernai od.--Gqt. A~cricoa