Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-24
LETTER FROM wILLrAm PENN
SUMBER THIRTEEN.
WASHINGTON, January 90, 1862.

WASHINGTON, January %, 1862. ,
II anything were wanting to establish the
fact that the people of this country are ex-
ceedingly gullihle, it would be the aVidi'y
with which they catch up every manuiac-
tured item of news that finds its way, day
after day, in many Of the so-called leading
journals of the North The most improba-
BILE stories are fabricated at the National
Capitol and elsewhere along the line Of
operations of the army, by the newspaper
writers and correspondents Of the northern |
press some of which contain nonsense
oftentimes too palpably absurd to be even
classed under the head Of "tales told by all
idiot" and yet they are drank in by the
common reader, and form the themes of dis
cussion and conversation, in the bar-room,
the parlor, and at the dinner table, as ear
nestly as though they were well-established
facts or actual occurrences. Strange indeed
is it that such things can be in any intelli-
gent and thinking community but so 1t is
and in all probability will continue TO be
while the public tastes are so sickly and ex-
acting as to require the propagation of
falsehood and error, rather than do without
mental stimulus even for single day.
The popular mind requires great deal of
purifying in this respect. Its growing ankle
ty for news aud excitement has already led
to the worst results in military operations,
and unless ii abates considerably its ardor
in this direction, other disasters will be like
b ly TO follow its inordinate or hasty demands.
In the present juncture of national affairs,
J. patience is q great virtue, and its exercise
j by the populace would be a decidedly ma
J.. tional benefit, as il would have been in July
e last before the battle Of Bull Run, had il
q been observed
n Stnpendous events are crowding rapid!
e upon US No people on the face OF th'
d earth have hitherto witnessed, or heen &C
d tors in. scenes of such gigantic magnitude
e to The whole human race, as We are at thl
rs time brought in contact with. Great re
n suits depend npon the issues Of this sirug
ID gle Ia it are involved heavens choices
ir blessings to man and all that We hav
al been taught to bold dear in this world il 4
if be retained unto US aud our children, a
a dashed away in rretrieyable ruin forever
IL Just as We shall perform or neglect the SC
N emn duties of good citizenship which tn
crisis devolyes upon us In passing throug
ne the terrible ordeal, then, let us be resolut,
a' firm, decisive, but patient, With a stead
nc eye on the great boon We are striving fo
u, even unto blood, and with our feet movin
'' on, directed by the light of the star of on
- destiny, let us eschew all ambition nc
~ founded upon the holy cause of liberty an
u truth and work on, hard maniully, patro
ically, unto the end trusting in the Prov
dence of God and our own stout hearts fC
the deliverance of our country from the m,
=; raj and political bondage which is hangin
- over it, to the disgrace Of humanity and ci
ization. Let no one falter let no or
- doubt for as sure as that the fountain
=" living hope wells up spontaneously in Il
We breast of man, will be the speedy return
=" this now distracted people to peace, uni
and fraternity again 1t never was que
ton of physical strength, nor Of NOR
~ power, but only one Of time and time nc
"e moves on with rapid haste, and before '
W may feel willing to believe that the last hou
"s of the strife are advancing, the glorious m
i ,p- ment OF Americas redemption will be up
."- us and if we would meet it becoming
we must neither feed upon excitement n
oJ spend our strength in feverish camor, b
ely with confidence and patience listen for t
~ soon-expected clarion-blast of victory frc
ia the battlefield. WILLIAM Penn.