Year: 1861

That horror, civil war, is fairly in the
country. 1t is a momentous fact thai
adiourns at once for season, all Other
and prior issues and brings home to al
who mean to be faithful to the obliga
tions they owe to their country, the prac
teal question as to what is the duty OF
the hour In this moro than painful
this awful exingency, we can see no 9th.
er honorable course for patriotic and ma.
tional men but to sustain the Consttu-
tional Authorities in the exercise of their
legitimate functions: to keep up public
credit; to act worthy of the kindling hor-
itage of old memories; to let the heart
swell with gratitude and honor towards
the brave who bear worthily on and up
the Flag of the Stars and Stripes, the
more rather than the less, that they have
not to deal with the foreigner, but that
in their duty Of obedience to their supe-
riors, they have the painful work Of deal
ing with their countrymcn. The old
banner that Washington and Jackson
bore will wave over them, and what will
remain of the Old Union will be for them
and their posterity.


We have hoped that things would not
have come to this pass. Much as we op
posed the election of Mr.. Lincoln, solid
as we have deemed Southern grievances,
we urged with all our power, acquies-
cence in the Constitutional and legal de-
oision of the people, because it is the vital
principles of republics, and because from
this there is no appeal but to force,
which, to continue Jefferson's well known
maxim is the vital principle and imme-
diate parent of despotism; and we have
urged redress Of these grievances in a
peaceful way within the Union. This
method was SO reasonable, so consistent
with national self-respect, and SO certain
in the end, that to the last, we hoped
after the Inauguration there would follow
Compromise and Adjustment. The hope
gradually became fainter until it had
been annihilated by the roar of the can
non at Fort Sumter aud the rapid spread
ing Of the flames Of war over our once
happy land.


After the havoc Of war has ragged,
there will come time for the healing
work Of peace. The great primal law Of
self-preservvtion, for time, must neces.
sarially override all other considerations;
but, sooner or later, an insultcd public
opinion, South and North--the good
sense, patriotism and intelligence of the
people-will rise in its majesty and COM
mand the peace to be effected that is so
vital to all. Blessed be the peace maker
over oil the length and breadth of this
noble land Thousands upon thousands
of homes to be made desolats by this
madness Of the hour, will yearn for Peace;
all there is trus in affection and noble
in patriotism will plead for it; aud the
blessings of millions and the unfading
laurel shall be for the moral and intellect
ual greatness that shall labor for it sue
cessfully.


Such work is now opened up to the
Border States. Their course. will now
be watched with intense interest. Will
they adjourn the past issues? Will they
still consider their connection with the
Union as their paramount object? Will
they rally around the constituted author.
tiles and, as members Of the government
still keeping with the Union council
forbsaranos? Time only can reveal what
there is ahead for these United Statesl--
We see only the duty at hand Of every
good citizen, to stand, in this tune OF
peril, squarsly on the side Of the consti-
tuted authorities until the people can be
called upon to assume the power, through
an immediate session Of Congress, or a
National Convention, of adjusting the
difficulties whish have brought this great
country to the verge Of ruin. The Pres.
dents reply to the Virginia Commission.
ers indicates moro of retaliation than
adjustment-the Republicans in the late
Congress--in the Peace Convention
in their expressed determination to stand


by the Chicago Platform rather than tho