Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-10-28
"THE CRISIS. ,,

We have before us the Richmond Enqesuer Of
Oct 10Th, sent us by Capt Joseph Filler The
following editorial is headed the crisis" The
introductory sentence is as follows
''The crisis is upon US the fate of the Conted
federacy trembles in the scales and the great ques
ton of true liberty and self Government on this
Continent is 10 be decided in the coming months :"
This from the chief organ of the rebels, confirms
all the statements in the Union journals that the
rebellion is in its last onyulsions, and must soon
die from exhaustion TO fight no longer for abb
stract principles, but for our very life' says the
Enquirer. Their resources are discussed, and the
conclusion arrived at that we have men enough
to meet the enemies hosts. provided the men
enough" are forth coming, and not 'three-fourths
of them absent from the army thout leave as
JEFF Davis, stated few days ago at Macon.
Having means in abundance, stout hearts, a
righteous course" and above ali reasonable
hope of the blessing of the Almighty, ''What
then do we want, asks the leading organ Of the
rebels, and why" it continues, ''are there yet
sore misgigings and sad forebodings paling many
acheek at home, and causing passing pang to
the bravest heart in the field? We want wisdom
in our rulers and system in our administration.
We must have a stern answering enforcement of
the laws-In the shock of war, when an enemy
is in sight, civil rights must be more or less sus-
pended. Our own country being the seat of war,
we cannot reasonably wish to retain, during these
momentous dayg, our present rights of freedom
from arrest, free movement, free speech and free
press as far as it regards the all important concerns
Of war. As during actual warlike service, the
civil rights of the soldier must of necessity be
largely curtailed so a nation in arms must su-ren-
der, for time, the very laws and liberty it loves
so dearly to receive them back again, better under
stood and more highly valued than before from
the hands of peace. This is the last, and we ad-
NIT the greatest sacrifice which our people viii be
called upon to offer up on the altar Of their coun.
try. But it has 20 be made. For every measure
heretofore devised 90 FIJI the ranks of our army,
and especially to keep the men in the ranks, has
failed, not for want of provision in the laws, but
from their inefficient execution. 1t Is the same
with the commissarics the army has ever lived
from hand to mouth; magazines are still unknown
and every reverse not only but every emergency,
produces want and privation. In such cases, an
cient Rome lodged dictatorial power for awhile in
the noblest man. acting upon the principle that,
in crisis of national life, the government must
not only be strong, but perfectly concentrated and
certain that such power in nation which loves
its laws and liberty is seldom abused Govern
ment viii have to take virtual possession of the
land of every man who can WELD weapon of
every property that's needed for the great struf-
gle in which We are involved Of every talent, ev
cry energy, every element of strength that can
save great nation from ruin and disgrace
Such admissions from thelcading advocate of
their cause, ofthe extremites TO which the REBEL
ion is reduced should give courage to the heart
Of every true man, and cause him to feel that the
day is near when his country win come forth tri
umphant from the trials and dangers that have
menaced il