Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-04-03
Thursday MOrning::April 3, 1862.
How Long is the War to Last.

This question is asked by high and low,
citizen and soldier, patriot and rebel, so fire.
quently, says the Philadelphia Inquirer that
we began to think there were some latent
difficulties in the way of attempting to an
swcr it; that, notwithstanding "thc dawn
Ing" we did not "near the day" One, high
in office, gave it ninety days to run its
course another, low in spirits, sees in it a
new thirty years war. The Rebel Congress
hears resolution read appropriating one
hundred millions of dollars for navy--a
mythic sum for carrying on an indefinite
war: for reasons entirely satisfactory to the
members, the resolution was laid on the Ia
Die. To rejecting minds the question pre-
scnts few, if any difficulties. Some of the
means for arriving at definite conclusion
may be presented.
!. History teaches us that few rcbellions
have been of long continuance they are
either successful or are speedily put down.
This cannot now be successful; its well wish
crs can hardly expect it. They are without
adequate means and men, while our immense
army, complete at all points, is moving for
ward flushed with victory land bearing every
thing in its course.
III. AS long as there were hopes of retain
ing any Of the rcbellious States by kindness,
the war was one of diplomacy rather than
vigorous arms. But we have now but one
policy; the Rebellion must be crushed abso-
lutcly, entirely and speedily. The issue is
mortal either the Rebellion or the Govern
ment must die the DEATH and the united
North has risen like one man to declare
which shall be destroyed.
I'LL. The world is looking on in wonder
aud in doubt. The spirit of the age-no
vague phraseology - demands unrclenting
rigor. Sentiment must be held in abey-
ance Humanity herself implorcs that eve
rything should work for aspeedy end-an
absolute and entire eDd-the establishment
OF the supremacy of Government over every
inch of United States territory.
Nv. 1t is only thus that the great and
good ship UNION, freighted with the glory of
republican institutions, and iron-plated by
the jealous guardianship of generating peo-
pie, shall be able hereafter to sail proudly
over the ocean of timc-beautiful, all-pro-
tccting and self-reliant-the model Monitor
of the world
V. As for the Rebellion, it totters now to
its fall. If we wage the war with vigor-
and who can doubt that it is being so waged
the Rebels will soon repent in dust and
ashes. Thousands Of those most loud
mouthed, when at a distance, against the
Government, are preparing to cry peccari,
with most refreshing and satisfactory con-
triton. To see Davis, Toombs, and few
of their confedcrates fairly shake with the
anticipation of real and speedy doom would
be an edifying spectacle.
Thus then we answer the question: the
signs of the times indicate bloody war but
y short one. As for predicting the day, or
week, or month in which hostilitics will |
cease, it would be but the work Of charla-
tan to attempt 1t. We cannot even pro-
phocy when blows now imminent will fall, |
and it is not before the decisive conflict is
begun that the judicious man can, like jockies
upon the turf, speculate and gamble as to
the immediate result We sincerely wish
the war honorably concluded, but we desire
it to be long enough to be thorough in &C
complishing its great purpose, for America,
fer the world, and for humanity in the
future.