Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-30
secessionism Dying Out at Washing

A Washington correspondent Of the n II.
Statesman, who evidently has good oppor-
tunities for getting tthe truth Of matters,
writes:
Since last April there has been a vast
revolution in the sentiment of this city upon
the pestiIent heresy Of Secession. The des-
perate traitors have mostly fed, and their
places been more than filed by loyal men.
/ But the change TO which have special ref.
erence at this point is the revolution Of SEN
timent in the old residents who remain here.
Multitudes who, six months ago, were open
rebels, are now not merely professed. but
hearty Union men. Those who timidly fol-
lowed the old flag afar off are pow up square
\ to the mark, and the boldest and most de-
termined are nov more bold and confident in
the Union cause. personally know families
here which, open in their sympathies 70: the
South at the battle Of Bull Run, are now,
have the best evidence to believe, sincerely
anxious to see our army move upon Virginia,
and crush out the rebellion without condi.
tions or compromise. These changes are at
tributable to q variety of considerations
The atrocities of the rebels upon the loyal
men, women and children who have been
driven from their Southern homes, have had
their influence.
The stupendousuprising of the loyal people
of the country has had more influence. And
tbe practical results of the rebellion upon
Southern interests and institutions has had
even more potency. No man of sagacity can
stand here and look over upon Virginia, as
our forces slowly advance upon the sacred
soil, and doubt for a moment if the rebel
lion is to be fought down inch by inch, that
Slavery inevitably must 90 down likewise.
Calm men here, therefore, who cherish
Slavery as desirable institution, are many
of them anxious to zee the Government
strike great decisive blow, which may ter
inmate the conflict at once, and thus save
the peculiar institution. And then there is
the fear of the confscation act, which every
body here has regarded as sure to be enact
ed in a stringent form by the present Con.
gress. The strong and determined measures
Of the Government in putting traitors, with
lout distinction Of sex, in durance vile with.
out stopping to parley, has also been won
derful in its practical influence. These last
two considerations have opened the eyes of
hundreds OF traitors among us to the fact
that they have henceforth to deal with q
Government which is solemnly in earnest il
this struggle for self-preservation. The oatl
of allegiance which Congress in its last ses
sion caused to be put to all Government EN-
ployees here has also done some service
and if they had ordered it put to every maj
of the District they would have done better
Many rebels would undoubtedly have takel
the oath, and waited favorable time to vic
late it, as indeed there is no doubt man
have dome already. But there are man
who would not take the oath, and such tn
District would be summarily rid of. Think
however, that on the whole the friends O
the Union have great reason for congratula
ton over the marvellous transformation tina
has actually and permanently been wrough
since last April in the National Capital.
, man can now not only declare his loyalty
the Union without danger of revolver O
} bowie knife, but even the most radical ad
herents of anti-Slavery can any where, in
decorous manner, express their views with
out molestation or insult. Indeed, ar
, satisfied that so great is the revolution Of
sen timent in this city, that the masses o
the population are now entirely satisfied t
! have the Federal Army move onward, ant
let the Mgger oho falls IN the rear regulat
, himself