The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-01-31
"1WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE
NIGHT 5"

Waterman, what of the night ;" This
solemn and emphatic inquiry was made By
Israel's prophet in one of the darkest hours
of the Jewish history, and we hope we will
not be accused of presumption or irreVer-
ence, if we should conceive that this in
quiry is, In an accommodated sense, now
addressed to US as chroniclers of passing
events.
Whilst many of our public journals are
discussing the policy of the Administration
in reference to mere party success, or ex-
posing the populations of governmental of
ficials. and criticising the conduct of our
military leaders, but few seem to be fully
impressed with the magnitude of the events
which are transporting around us-events
which must be world wide in their effects
and almost endless in duration. Victories
and defeat, hopes and fears crowd upon each
other with such astonishing rapidity that
the most philosophical mind becomes con-
fused. The far-reaching ssgacity of the
of the Post are sometimes dealt in the dark,
and even the chaste, elevated, and beauti-
fully hopeful Independent, looks upon the
scene OF blood and carnage, occasionally,
with obscured vision, or paralyzing fear
seiEes upon its wonted courage and energy.
In Common with every lover of our coun-
try and race, we have looked with painful
concern upon the many discouraging cir
cumstances which have hitherto characteriz
ed the Administration of President Lincoln
At times we have almost despaired of
our final success. Not that we have for a
moment doubted the honesty, courage and
wisdom of Mr.. Lincoln. The Executive of
no nation on earth was ever beset with great
er dficuties-dangers both internal and
external-at home aud abroad His friends
divided, his generals jealous of each others
fame, and subordinating their country's
peace and welfare to their aspirations for
presidential honors and power. A muir
derous host in arms against his authority,
and a still more devilsh enemy, under the
guise of loyalty, plotting treason in the
midst of the free North. The wonder with
us IS, not that all has not been saved, but
that all has not been lost. Dark and gloomy
as the prospect has been, and still is, yet
light begins to dawn. The day star of our
deliverance is arising. Already its life-giv-
ing rays are felt, and beneath their invigor-
ating influence the dark clouds of treason
are sinking, and the fogs of doubt and fear
are melting away and we feel that it would
be impious to doubt that i: will not ascend
higher and higher until it shall beam upon
our beloved country from meridian glory.
We feel to shout out, Courage, friends
there is good time coming 1t may be
that Freedom is doomed to be still further
baptized in blood, but rest assured that il
will ultimately triumph. Look at the pies
ent prospect of things. The Cabinet will
soon be unit for the war and Freedom
Butler will probably be sent back to Orleans,
and Banks will 60 to Texas. Fitz John
Porter has been disgraced and dismissed
from the service. Mcclellan is down, and
what is most hopeful of all, the nation is
to rule in righteousness. Free
dom is proclaimed TO the slave, and hence
forth he will be permitted to assert his man
hood at the point of the sword. Let US
look up then, friends. Let US cherish more
confidence in our excellent Chief Magis-
trate, yielding him willing support in
whatever is necessary to crush out treason,
whether in open rebellion or in secret plot
ting the overthrow of our government, in
order to secure party ascendency. Let ev-
cry true man stand to his post, and by the
and all will yet be well.