Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-09-07
Gov. Sprague on the War.

Below we publish a few extracts
from the Message of Governor Sprague,
to the Rhode Island Legislature. Gov
ernor Sprague has been in service ever
since the commencement of the war,
and his opinions are entitled to great
consideration. 1t will be seen that his
statement fully sustains the declaration
of Democrats, and fatty contradicts ev-
cry position taken by the Republicans,
previous to the commencement of hos
Titles:
The war will Of necessity be long
one. We have been in error as to the
strength of the enemy, and IA to the
long and persistent course which has
been pursued by the South tending to-
ward this point; while we have been
occupied IN our business, they have been
creating revolution. We were under
the impression that they were lacking
in the resources which go to raise and
maintain armies; whereas. in almost
every particular, we have found them
superior to ourselves; We have found
not only the physique of their men equal
to ours, but their clothing, their al ms,
their substance and their means Of
transportation-everythng that goes to
make up military efficiency, superior to
ours.
And when we have been obliged to
be the attacking force, marching under
the Southern sun, exhausted, without
provisions and without shelter, they
have been encamped and in fortified po-
sitions, i'll country unfricndly to us
and friendly to them, where they could
receive information of every movement
of ours and we could learn nothing
whatever as to theirs.
The probabilities are that in no case
on the record OF the worlds history has
an army been called into the field pos.
sessng so little knowledge of the
strength and position of the enemy
and, such being the case, it was impos-
slblc for any troops in the position ours
found themselves, to have sustained
themselves for any considerable length
OF time. 1t has opened the eyes Of the
country to the immensely Of this strug-
gle, and in that view Of the subject the
result may be horrible.
The troops of the North entering the
field against those of the South have in
every case, occupying equal advantages.
been able TO drive them from the field
but protected by superior position, by
batteries, and superior force, it has, Of
course, been impossible utterly out Of
the question to attempt to drive them
from their stronghold.
Such being the case, aud the country
calm, upon the States for so much more
than was anticipated, taxation by the
general government, and the debt of
the State Increasing, have been induc-
ed to call the Legislature together to
see whether they are willing to continue
the liberel course which was inaueurated
when this contest first began.
Kit CARSON COMING. Il met TODAY
an intelligent Englishman who is on his
way back to his native place, after ten
years absence among the Indians on
our western frontiers. During all the
time he has been engaged in trapping,
hunting, and all the adventurous ayoca.
tons OF the pioneer. For the last three
Years he has been the friend and COM
Panlon of Kit Carson, whose fame as a
nunt'man is worldwide, and consequent
y mas laid up store OF incidents con.
nected with their adventures in the
west. AT the time he left Salt Lake
Ci'y, Ait Carson was busily engaged in
raising corps Of mounted rangers com.
posed not of half breeds or sav,oe. hn+