Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-06-14
rha stransth Of a Ranuhiie,

There was a time, and that not many
months ago, when to the people of the United
States and the world Republic seemed the
weakest of all forms of human government
A Republic. whose youth was one of suffering,
and whose adult power was knit by virtuous
toil-a Republic that had taken its place
among the leading powers of the world, ard
had developed itself with marvellous rapidity-
a Republic that had risen above all obstacles,
and seemed just ready to leap into a progress
surprising everything in lis previous history
and in the history Of the world-stood sud
denly unveiled in hideous rottenness. 1t was
poisoned ciean through with treason, and there
seemed to be no remedy. Patriots stood help
less, looking on, and could lift no hand to save.
The naticn seemed like a noble ship that had
run upon rock, ard only waited to decay and
fall away pieeemeal, or be dashed into frag-
meats by the waves. Treason grew strong,
while the government grew weak. Among
the real friends of the Republic there were di-
visions and quarrels that encouraged the trai
tors. 1t was under such circumstances that
the Republic seemed TO have no cohesion
and power, and it is not to be wondered at that
Americans felt ashamed Of their country, and
iear ed TO look upon Republican institutions
as a stupenduus failure.
This lasted until gun was fired upon a fort
of the Republic, in which were eoopcd up some
half starved United States troops. and then,
IN an instant, the Republic became strong
All those who loved the government united
their hearts and hands. and swore that they
would sustain it. Political differences were
all forgotten 10 common devotion to the coun-
try and from that moment the victory of law
over anarchy. of liberty over despotism, of le-
gitina!e power over treason, became certain.
And then this same weak Republic, suddenly
maze invinciby strong, exhibited such deyel-
opmcut eli rtsourscs as would not he possible
by any other government on the face Of The
earth. An army was improvised and marched
Iu the Capital ot the uatiou, through every
possible obstacle, before treason coald strike
a blow, and while it was still gaspng for won
der. 1t is only three weeks since the Presi-
dent called for his troops, and the work Of three
months-almost Of three years-has been per
formed.
It has been III arming, clothing and d s
patching these troops that the superiority of
Towns, counties anl States took the call, and
went TO work, raising in the aggregate millions
upon millions of dollars, clothing and sending
off their men. There was no red tape used.--
There was 10 circumlocution Office to be cou-
suited. The Presid~ Mt wanted men, and be
had them armed and ready for duty almos, at
a moments notice. To-day there are two hun
dred and fifty thousand men ready for tbs field,
anxious to meet their country's foes and ready
for any sacrifice. They are not the hireling
soldiers Of regular army, but they are the
working, thinking men of the nation--mcn
who can do anything. from arranging 4 tele-
graphic battery to writing sonnet--lrom
sailing war Trigate to building Il railroad.
Out OF seeming chaos, this army has been
made in three weeks. They cluster around
the NATIONAL Capital, they throng into seaside
,rts, they superintenI and rebuild highways
and are ready to commence operations for the
recovery Of properly plundered from the gov
trnmcnt. No other government. and no Other
form Of government, could have done what tht
American people have accomplished in twenty
days.
Ii is apparent to US now, and must be np-
parent to the world, that there can be no gov
ernmcnt so strong as a Republic when united
Every State and town. in an emergency, as
sumcs its own division Of labor, and every mar
feels his personal responsibility. \ govern
ment by the people calls for lie support of tht
/ paopls; and without formality, without cnmpli
Gated machinery. with no delay they rush tt
/ the post of duty. England, or France, o
| Russia could not have done what we havt
douc They have their standing armies, ant
when those arc regarded as on a war footing,
! it takes longer to move them than II has take
TO raise and move our army.
The time will come when the grand nprisin:
Of the North for the defence Of their country
this Immediate fitting out of an immense fore
prepared to DO battle with trained troops, thi
overHowing and overwhelming enthusiasm, vii
be regarded as one of the most remarkah
events of human history, not only, but as OF
of the most striking illustrations of the strengi
the peculiar Strengthen republic. |
is an event to which we can point the nation
of the world with legitimate pride. For oul
selves, We can learn from the movements {
the past few months that the weakest govern
ment in the world, when divided in polio.
opinion and sympathy, is Republic, viii
nothing but Republic united in the majorit
of its people as ours is to-day, would be alb
to withstand the shock of a treason like the
which it is called upon to put duwn.--[SPrin;
field Republican.
THE FrGrr1vEs AT F6RTREss McSRoE