Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-06-01
Relative Capacity Of the North and South
for War.

The people OF the United States-We
mean the whole Confedcracy as it ex-
listed prior to the present difficulties
which now divide our citizens-have
had almost uninterrupted peace for
nearly fifty years. During this long
period, nothing has occurred to bring
us in contact with any nation which
could put to test the military capacities
of the American people, if we except
brief struggle with Mexico, where we
sent handful of men who dictated
terms at the encmy's capital, after a
short campaign. With this single en-
ception, where it was said we fought an
uncivilized and divided nation, we have
had nothing to try our capacities for
war; hence it is said that we may not
know our strength. In view, however,
of what must be in store for us, we may
as we'll examine, dispassionately, our
means for sustaining such a struggle as
now threatens to involve us in its folds;
for disguise the subject as we please, it
is not the less probable that the coun-
try has great ordeal to pass, which it
cannot, if it would, forego.
What is now the North, or free States
and Territories, have an aggregate pop
ulation of upwards of nineteen millions
by the census, 19,152,S7S; and the
South, or slave States, a white pOpula-
ton of eight and half millions-or by
the census, $500, $40. But the latter
has servile race intcrminglcd of four
millions (4,0O2, 1866. In the North, the
population is made up mostly of labor
ing men, perhaps the most hardy and
enduring, as certainly they are the most
Intelligent, in the world. One-halfthe
adult male population of the free States
could be turned out to-day, and with
stand all the hardships and fatigues of
an active campaign, without giving
way under their new duties; for they
have been Injured to outdoor labor from
tier life, etc, during much of their ex-
istencc. Indeed, everywhere at the
North and West, our citizens have
struggled under vicissitudes-to-day,
rich; tomorrow, poor-now laboring
at the rudest pursuits; tomorrow, in
tic enjoyment of ease and wealth. At
the South, portion Of the population
have gone through the same hardening
process, but others have had laborers to
toll for them, and have thereby escaped
the necessities which have forced their
brethren North to become what they
are.
Again, many of our citizens arc men
who have spent their time upon the
frontiers. They have opened farms,
cleared land, swung the AK, and have
migrated from place to place. The
whole Northwest until recently, has
been frontier. Its population is ac-
.customed to the use of firearms, and
50 We may say of California. Indeed,
very large portion of the people of
the United States can use the rifle with
such precision as to kill the smallest
game with ball. There is not a ma
tion upon the globe where all are such
Marksmen as are the people of this
coSatry. Having arms always on hand,
and an abundance OF game to practice
upon, they haye become adopts in the
use of weapons. In other countries,
Europe, tor Instance, where the favored
few only eau hunt, the people being de-
barred the privilege, and not allowed
the use Of arms, the masses are not
fitted for being impromptu soldiers.
Years Of drilling, target-shooting, ETC.,
have to be spent in only preparingthem
for such an occupation, and hence the
necessity ofgreat standing armies.
Again, look at the rivers and lakes,
without speaking of the immense COM
merce which floats upon the ocean.
All, then, who man our steamers aud
ships, are nearly as skil'fnI in the use