Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-08-16

hfum the Lohuoh AimeA
The citizens of the United States may
we'll be proud of their new army. More
than forty years Of peace, broken only by
such Interruptions as the Mexican war and
the expedition to Utah, have not in the least
degree blunted their military spirit. 1t is
impossible to read the special report Of the
Secretary of War, to the President, without
being reminded of these ancient democra.
cies in which the whole adult population
would sally out to repel foreign aggression,
and all the richer citizens contribute freely
to the expenses of the war. If Republican
institutions are indeed on their trial, il is
not at this point that they will break down.
The Secretary may be forgiven for lasping
from the narrative into the rhetorical style
in describing the composition of this force
Of quarter of million so rapidly raised
and so efficiently armed. "But few weeks
since the men composing this great army
were pursuing the avocations of peace
They gathered from the farm, from the
workshop, from the factory, from the mine.
The minister came from the pulpit, the
merchant from the counting.room, the pro-
iessor and student from the college, the
teacher and pupil from the common schools.
Young men Of fortune left luxurious homes
for tho tent aud camp. Native and foreign
borne alike came forward with common en-
| thusiasm. The Government finds itself
embarrassed with the generous outpouring
of volunteers to sustain its action" The
| first call for troops, made on the 18th OF
April, though it did not extend to the States
which had then seeded, and was perempto-
! rily rejected by several others, met with so
enthusiastic a response in the North, that
the quota actually furnished exceeded by
several thousands that defined in the proc
lamation. Under the second requisition OF
the 4th of May, which was not limited like
the former to the period of three months
service, but invited enlistment for three
years, or during the war, no less than 20e
regiments have been enrolled, and l53 are
already in active service. Altogether, the
State can count on force of290,000 officers
and men after the discharge of the first con
tingent, and there seems no reason to dOnbi
that this may be increased indefinitely
The Senate has already more than respond
ed to the Presidents appeal by authorizing
the employment of 100000 volunteers anC
appropriating $500, 100000 for the war;
Many criticisms will probably occur to mill
tary men on the deficiency of cavalry ant
artllerymen, the very small proportion O
veterans among these raw recruits, and tn,
inevitable iuexpcrience of the officers. |
will not be easy TO convince professional
soldiers that task which cost Della MAJ
mora years of patient zeal, and which Carl
baldi failed to complete in the most eventfu
of campaigns, can be accomplished at
stroke by Gen. Scott. All this may b,
true, but people in arms can never be 9th
orwise than formidable, and in this case the,
will be opposed to an enemy by no mean
their superiors in equipment or discipline
Such an effort must command admiration
and, regarded as an experiment, is we'll cal
cuioted TO inspire confidence in the elastic
ity of volunteer organization.