Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23
SeletteO Mlstellanp.
From the London Times's Special Correspondent
The Civil War i'm America.
w AsHINGroN. Nov. i


The impression is forcing itself into a convic-
ton that neither General Mcclellan or any other
General will convert the mass of men under arms
here into a well disciplined army, according to
the European standard, or the notions of the most
easily satisfied military critics. There is some
thing radically deficeDt-a sentiment wanting,
without which respect for the officer and obedi-
ence on the part of the man cannot be developed
into a system of uniform action in all times and
under all circumstances. III the army be turned
into regulars and strictly drilled and handled,
two or three years will, no doubt, eradicate the
spirit OF equality in military matters but the task
is difficult, for the defect to be remedied is nearly
innate. The better the class from which recruits
come, the gretter the difficulty of reducing them
TO proper subjection. The punishments in the
army are quaint and capricious they render men
ridiculous, and harden without terrifying them;
and not few of the officers regret that they
have no power to order fogging, which has
certain efficacy in the case of men who cannot be
reclaimed by other means. Let the war 90 on,
and there will be greater results produced than
the reduction of this force to good discipline
The Americans will learn that at last, when they
see the use of il; at present they are good deal
like children beginning the alphabet. They are
slow to believe they are actually engaged in
something more than large faction fight.
The result of the Maryland election would be
more satisfactory and conclusive if Gen. Dix had
not done his gendarmerie work effectively in
Baltimore His proclamation was so alarming
that the citizens fOrmed deputation to ascertain
It's meaning, and we're informed that his intentions
were honorable But the wholesome rigor of his
arrests on Wednesday resembles nothing so much
as the process of voting for an Imperiast deputy,
cor taking the sense Of the people" at Nice on
the question of annexation Nevertheless, the
fact Of the majority for the Union remains and
the faith Of the Government in bayonets and mar
tial law is justified so far Nor will they hesitate
70 employ the same machinery TO develope Union
sentiment in the South. Can liberty be too dearf
May il, like life, be purchased at the cost of
cry consideration which renders it of value? The
American people now laugh at the idea of anv
ultimate danger to their liberties and indepene
eDce from armed force, or national sentiment il
self bat the steps by which the ruin comes NAV
be as stealthy as those by which revolution, and
rebellion, and civil came,-hasty and rapid.
"All men think all men mortal but themselvse;"
and the Americans. relying on the enlightenment
of their democracy. deride the fears Of those who
think the results which follow the conquests of the
armed in republics will develop themselves in the
New World The personal character of General
Mcclellan affords guarantee that he is not the
man who would seek 20 elevate himself on the
fragments OF the Institutions for the assertion of
which he IS now preparing an offensive army: but
it may 80 happen that he may be forced TO avert
greater evils by assuming for time the chief
control of the State with the consent of those
who are the masters of public suffrage if not of
public opinion.
The dangers of defeat will be greater than
those of success; but the latter will be attended
with enormous difficulties. Even the Maryland
apparatus of Government, though simple and ef-
fective, is not constitutional; and when it is ap
piled to the Confederate States it will become one
of the most extraordinary organizations which
ever were beheld in country calling itself free.
Personal experience induces me to believe that
the same spirit, nnanimity and courage which
the South exhibits ia its resistance in the field
will be displayed in every form Of passive opposi
ton to the efforts Of the North to reduce it to
subiugation when the fight shall have ceased
The Unionists persist in declaring there is large
Party-to be consistent, they ought TO declare
there is maiority-of the people in the seeded
States opposed TO the principles Of the Confeder
afss and 70 the Independence for which they sp
pear 70 be fighting. II so, the task of reamalgs
nation will be more easy; If not, the Federalists
viii be reduced TO the pleas and the machinery Of
force exercised. as they contend. for right, but
still applied to cppress majority Of the people in