Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-09-17
THE FATE oF BALTIMORE.

The Baltimore american says that the recent
rebel successes have wonderfully revived the
Edrooping hopes of the secessonists in that
city, and their countepances wore smile OF
triumph on tn, streets, in view of the speedy
occupation of the city by the Confederate
armies The .4merican draw picture of what
may be the lot of Baltimore before this takes
place, and then says:
1t may be said that this is an overdrawn
| picture, and that the city would be quietly
surrendered in case of the defeat Of the Federal
army in battle to be fought somewhat in the
midst of the fine country mansions and pala-
tial retreats of Baltimore county. To suppose
snch quiet surrender shows total ig-
norance of all the rules and purposes of
warfare, we'll as of the great national inter
est involved in the possession of city
The possession of Baltimore by the insurgents
would be virtually the capture of Washington
and triumph of the rebellion Therefore when
ever the rebels strike for Baltimore the whole
power of the Nation will be here TO meet them.
1t willnot only be contest for the possession
OF Baltimore, but will be the battle of Wash.
ington, the battle OF Richmond and the great
contest of the war combined. When the Fed
eral forces are compelled to evacuate they will
not be in a disposition to leave anything of
value behind to fall into the hands of the enc
my, nor will they yield quiet possession TO
them so long as they hold the harbor and forts
with several hundred heavy guns pointing in
this direction ~
All those of our citizens, therefore, who
are congratnlating themselves over what they
consider the bright and hopeful prospect of
being 'sdelverd" over to the mild and benif-
cent sway of Mr. Jefferson Davis, should re-
feet on the consequences OF snch deliver
ance. These very persons, who imagine that
Baltimore would be quietly surrendered ap-
plauded the destruction OF Hampton, by Gen
eral Magruder, and when General Mcclellan
was knocking at the gates of Richmond ap-
proved the recommendation of the rebel press
that the city should be burnt rather than it
should be surrendered to the possession of the
Federal troops. If Hampton was bnrnt TO pre-
vent its buildings being used for hospitals pur-
poses, why should Baltimore, with all its great
resources, be allowed to remain intact as
winter quarters for rebel troops? Where there
was one substantial military reason for the
destruction of Richmond by the rebels, there
would be ten equally as strong for the de-
strnction of Baltimore rather than allow it
to fall into the hands of the insurgents.
We do not believe that the rebel army will
ever reach Baltimore, nor do We anticipate
that our city will ever be sacked by contend
ing armies. But we do believe and know
that the deliverance for which disIoyal SYM
pathizers wish would bring upon us all, loyal
and dsloyal, untold sufferings and immeas |
Grable sacrifices We listen, there FORE with |
something of horror to the man whose treas
enable sympatbies have so far led both his |
heart and his Judgment astray to WISH to |
see our city the field of contest. He ought to
know that war here is destruction to the city /
death and horror to its inhabitants, and that
even if occupied BY the rebels it would not,
SO long as the United States held posse ession
OF the water approaches, be otherwise than
the field OF a constant struggle, with every
shifting of success, inhicting deep and met
faceable injuries npon our beautiful city.