The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-06-10
The Cecil Whig.
ELKTON, JUNE 10, 1865.
Four Years Ago and Now.

AS the scream of the locomotive whistle,
pierces with its shrill notes the summer air,
as the cars roar over the iron track with their
living freight of brave boys in blue, hurryine
to mingle again with the peaceful scenes of
home, we often muse on the contrast hetw cen
now and four years ago, when That shrill
scream announced the hurrying "forward
with impetuous speed, and hastily forming
in the ranks of war;" of those same brave
men, i'll company with thousands of com
rades who sleep lii bloody graves, in those
States where madness ruled the hour" till
the now returning braves had vanquished and
trampled out the armies of treason.
Then all was excitement and nervous ap-
prehension. Loyal hosts were gathering for
the defense of the capital, while the leagued
enemies of the Union were assembling their
confident clans in the woody Businesses of
Virginia and along the shores of the Poto.
mac, meditating, and yet fearing, to pounce
upon the Capital of the nation. Our land
was then full Of defiant traitors, and treason
was talked openly in the streets. The min
ions of the jeff Davis conspiracy carried
high heads, hooking and brow-b beating loyal
people, while their messengers roamed at
will between Washington and the Rebel
headquarters, giving information of every
movement on the side of the government
Union people were marked as the subjects of
future vengeance, and their property appro-
priated, in anticipation, by Rebel confisca-
ton laws, among the penniless sycophants
of the negro oligarchy. Then every loyal
heart was troubled with the dark and threat
ening future. which looked fearful as thun-
der clouds piled on q summer horizon. At
last the storm broke at Bull Run, and trea-
sons brood grew more arrogant and swag-
gcring than ever. All know too well the
dark era of two years that followed, when
the Rebel strength began to fail, and the
loyal North to gather up and launch its
mighty power against the rebellion. AS the
conflict thickened, and the strife became
hotter and bloodicr, the braggarts of treason
began to grow faint and despair, till Grant
gave it the final blow around Richmond.
Now, when the hot and blooming sum-
mers, ard cold, dreary winters of four years
of war have rolled like bloody wane over
our land the sunlight of peace again dspels
the threatening clouds Of war, and again we
behold the bright banner of the stars proud
ly floating above, the emblem of undsputed
dominion, while the Rebel rag lies buried in
blood and infamy. But not deeper in infa-
my and disgrace lies that emblem of the ty-
rant and slave, than do those sympathizers
of the smashed cause of crime, who four
years ago stalked with high heads prophecy
ing the future greatness of southern chivalry.
No race of people were ever before SO inhat-
ed with insolent, empty pride, and none
ever had fall so sudden, so great and
crushing, as those supercilous mouth pieces
OF the rebellion. Four years ago and now |!
What contrast The great problem of
arrogant slavery has been solved. The
braggart has been defeated, overwhelmed,
vanquished, and the king of the storm now
lies in chains in a dungeon. The blood in
the veins OF every patriot courses freer, with
thrill of renewed delight, while the SYM
pathizers with treason hang their heads in
humiliation-covered with shame that will
bring the blush to the cheeks of their chill
sdren-bowing to the. power in abject sub
mission, which four years ago they dared to
defy, disown and spi. upon.
"Then did beat them small as the dust
before the wind; ] did cast them out as the
dirt in the Streets"