Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-01-16

NO. 80.
How long will this war last and how and when
may we look for returning peace?
To harbor doubt of the proper answer OF
these questions is to protract this war. In the
very nature of things there can be but one solu-
ton to the problem. The geographical condi-
ton of our country, the character Of our people,
their indispensable necessities and their not less
duties, alike forbid the possibility
of any other.
Their very existence depends upon their ma
tionality. It never can, therefore, he surren-
dered. 70 surrender it is to admit failure of
Republican insttutions-is to confess before the
nations of the earth that we are powerless for
self-government, and to transmit our names to
future generations to stand forever in ignoble
contrast with the glorious sres from whom we
have descended. Atsuch suggestion we might
almost expect to see the guardian spirit of this
venerable chamber, hallowed as it is by such
memories of the past, rise up to rebuke the re-
creant thought
The leader of the rebellion may assert over
AID over again that the South never will SUBJ
NIT to the national rulc-that it will resist to
the last the proposed reunion. So far as those
leaders are concerned, we may not doubt the
sincerity OF their protest. Their offences
against free Institutions are too rank and too
recent to allow them willingly again to submit
to the will Of the majority. But, to say moth
ing OF the popular voice-which they have for
the present stilled-to admit, for argument
sake, that but one sentiment pervades the en-
tire South, and that it clamors for separate
government, earnest as that purpose may be,
there is still stronger force opposed to it not
merely the force of q vast numerical superb
ority, but power made irresistible by the force
of necessity controlling and decisive power;
growing out of the demands which the laws Of
self-preservation make imperative. Nationality
with US, therefore, is a necessity, and peace.
anxiously as we may await it, can never come
until that necessity is recognized, and our whole
country once more united under its old estab-
lished rule. Who can doubt that such will be
the ultimate result of the war, if it is confined
to the faithful pursuit of that object?
1t has been manifest from the first that the
main reliance of the secessionists has been fa.
less in the justice of their cause or in the power
at their command than in that foreign aid which,
they have constantly and scdulously courted;
and of all the demoralizing exhibitions which
that cause has yet presented nome has been more
humiliating than its avowed anxiety to place
itself under the protection and support Of such
an alliance, to invoke to its assistance those
alien antipathies ever on the alert against popu-
lar institutions, and thus to enhance the atrocity
OF disunion by the means employed in its ac-
complishment Should the destruction of our
country, under the auspices of such an ALLIANCES,
be ever consummated, the tyranny with which
the popular voice has been already suppressed
within tt, seeded States but pc uff ttitu
subsection to which it will be forever afterwards
reduced.
Forewarned of such purpose, the destinies
of tho nation may be safely entrusted to its poo
pie against all the odds with which secession
may seek to arm ITSELF If we had ever doubted
the keen per option Of the people in detecting
all plots against their supremacy, that douLs
would Danish in the face of recent demonstra-
tions. The stern determination Of the masses
everywhere, so conspicuously displayed, to stand
by the Government until they restore its pow
ers, is a certain guarantee of the national sue
cess. There is but one apprehension that ca.s
at present cause US to doubt it.
1t is not 80 much the fear of any assistance
that secession is likely to receive from abroad,
or the aid and comfort which treason at home
may convey to it, as the possibility of treason
suppressed is calculated to infict upon the cacso
countered
/ refer, Of course, to that emanci patton policy
lately thrust so unexpectedly ouspopular attea-
tiop.
The early assurance given to the country BY
the President in his inaugural address, that he
had mo purpose. directly or indirectly, to TO-
terfere with the institution of slavery Ia The
States where it existed" THAT 'he had no lawful
right or inclination to do So" secured at once
the confidence of the people in the purity and
patriotism of his intentions. rejoicc to bellows
that this confidence is still mistaken, and that
his whole subsequent course has justly confirm
ed US in the conviction that he means to con-
duct this war with the single purpose Of preserv-
ing the nation. Congress, too, by the resolution
which they adopted with such singular u1animi-
ty at their last extra session, added Immensely
to the strength of the Union cause by their un-
qualified assurance that the war should be cou-
fined to the legitimate purpose Of rnaintains the
supremacy of the Constitution and preserving
the Union; and when, added to these official
demonstrations, we had the satisfaction Of seeing
what seemed to be a wholesome revolution in
in the sentiment of that portion Of the Northern
people who had hitherto pursued an ultra course
on the question Of slavery. the Union men ofthe
border States were elated at the thought that
secession would thus be effectually clipped of it's
chief support in representing the war IS cru.
SADIE Of abolition.
These conservative Indications were all that
| was required to unite every political element at
| the North in the cause of the Union, whilst they
SO strengthened and encouraged the loyal mcn
at the South that they have endured every spe-
cies of outrage and oppression sooner than re-
nounce their allegiance. Under the same inAu-
ences. armies such as the world never witnessed
have been enrolled and organized, and two hun
dred millions Of money in the course of a few
months advanced by the people to their Gov
ment.
Whilst these fruits of the wise and patriotic
policy of the administration have been hailed
by loyal men everywhere as tokens of their
speedy triumph, it may be easily imagined how
well calculated to provoke their indignation ID
the attempt they have recently witnessed on the
part of certain politicians to thwart this polcy
by again complicating the cause Of the Union
with the question of slavery.