The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-05-15
What has Ottawa County done9

what is she dong for the Country III the
present peril
We believe our people are loyal, truly
patriotic in thought and feeling, and, IL
need be, will TO man almost, rally round
the standard of the stars and stripes, and
defend the flag of our Country to the
last extremity. But what have wa done /!
What acts performed exhibits TO the world
our loyalty? What troops have been
mustered in our midst for the service of
the General Government? What moneys
have been raised to clothe and equip vol
unteers, and support their families, if they
have any, during their absence in defence
of the Constitution and the Heaven-born
rights we enjoy under it.
We are sorry, sorry TO confess that our
and spirited as the circumstances of the
case seem to demand. We should, by
this time, have had three good companies
well organized and equipped for camp du-
ty. One with head quarters at this place,
one at Holland, and third at Lamont;
but instead of this, we have not one reg
ular military organization of our own
with which 10 answer the call Of our
Country.
1t is true, an effort was made TO or
game a company of volunteers in this
village, and we are informcnd that some
sixty enrolled their names, but for want
Of encouragement on the part of our cit
liens, who for the most part neglected TO
come promptly forward and tender TO the
company the bone and siRetO necessary TO
enable them to arm and equip as the law
directs, or for some other cause, disband-
ed and returned to their former occupa-
lions or enlisted with companies forming
at Grand Rapids.
At Holland, we learn that similar
movement WAS set OH foot by the citizens
of that place, but with no better success.
And, again at Lamont and vicinity, a
movement has recently been made to or
ganize rifle company, and in fact some
forty or more persons have enrolled Their
names, and at meeting held at Snyder's
Hotel, on Tuesday last, elected their
officers. But so little material aid has
been vouchsafed to them by the people
of Lamont, that the officers of the COM
pany have determined to seek some other
place of rendezvous.
Now what is the occasion of this SEEM
ing apathy and unconcern? Is it want of
patriotism? No; we can not think it.
Is it because We are too miserably poor
10 assist with men and money the Gov
ernment in the great and arduous struggle
for the maintenance of our civil and relig.
GUS liberties? No, this can not be the
reason. Are we so despicably miserly
and so sordidly penurious as to shut our
hearts and purses against the strongest
and most worthy demand ever made up
on our liberality! We have not hitherto
in other praiseworthy projects been accus-
ed of stinginess when appealed to for n
free will offering. Why then, as people,
are the citizens of our County so slow in
their movements! Is not the cause at
tributabo TO our not being fully aroused
TO the necessity of prompt and vigorous
action, and q quick response to the call
of our country, rather than lack of pat
riotism, miserable poverty, or sordid pen
uriousness.
While our sister County, Muskegon, on
the one hand, has raised two companies,
and 81 500 for their outfit and expenses,
and Kent on the other hand, company
after company, q mighty host for the com
bat, and has dealt out with liberal hand,
money, clothing, and commissariat stores,
ought not Ottawa, one of the pioneer
Counties of the State, and composed
mostly of the hardy sons of New Eng
land and New York, parent States that
are never behind in every good and noble
enterprise, and are now furnishing prompt
ly and enthusiastically of soldiers and
millions of money, ought not we, their
sons, do something; something noble and
worthy the sons of such truly patriotic
sires?
Several citizens of our village have al
ready headed subscription with liberal
amounts. Let others in our midst who