Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-31

Going to see the fun" seems to have been
the luea entertained at Washington among a GER
tain portion Of the members of Congress and their
attendants, OF desperate battle, upon the result
OF which of the existence of tine Govern
ment might IN measure depend. They seem
Ell to look upon il as show, something. Il is true
after the style of the Gladiatoral exhibitions of
Rome, where blood would flow, and lives be sac
rlhced, yet scene that would afford intense graf.
lhcatiOn 10 the brutalized feelings of those who
had already lost every vestige of humanity Look
at this picture and weep. While the nation is
wrought up TO the most intense excitement. wait
ing TO catch the faintest murmu- of the impending
contest big with the fate of the Union, there
comes upon the breeze the demOnical shout of
brutalized men, that they were rushing to the
battle field to ''see the fun" And what did they
beholdI An army full of life with banners
streaming in the wind, marching 10 the sound of
the soul-inspiring music, impelled forward by the
Impotence OF these men who considered battle
a mere holiday show, suddenly arrested in their
progress by armed foes, and finally by superior
numbers borne down and utterly defeated Then
were seen such scenes Of agony rs should have
made demons weep On every side lay the
mangled dead. The groans and prayers Of the
wounded weltering in their blood, swelled and
died on every breeze. What ages of pain and
sorrow gathered in that moment of timei
Who shall ever record the anguish which thrilled
every heart as the lightning flashed the news of
this appalling scene? And this was the fun the
shou, that these men deserted the halls of the
Capitol to witness
The correspondent of the Nex York Times
says that Congress adjourned FRIDAY until Mon.
day expressly to allow the members TO see the
show. Neither Congress the Union wish to
see such another sight. At the grand stampede
civilians were awfully scared, and think several
of them were taken prisoners. ! Witnessed some
terrific feats of running among them. Many lost
their carriages, and for aught know are skulk
ing about the woods now. One very fat Congress
man offered an artiIleryman $50 for a horse, but
after he had the horse, he found il 80 hard to
mount that he turned pale all over"
Our heart sickens as we record these facts.
That beings in human form should so divest
themselves of all humanity as TO gloat in antic-
ipation over the carnage Of battle field. seems
incredible, and vet it is true. How can they
ever meet the fathers and mothers, and tell them
the hope of their declining years lies n mangled
corpse on the distant battle ieldl How can
they answer the agonizing cry Of the brothers
and sisters for their loyal companion who
Is weltering in his blood; how assuage the con-
Stunning grief of the wife. as she watches and
listens for the footsteps Of her chosen one whose
eyes are already dark with the film ofdeathf How
will they tell the tale to the orphans whose wall
ing cry pierces every heart not Of adamant when
the fatal truth is known, that they not only hur-
ried them into battle unprepared, but deserted the
halls of Congress to enjoy the scene, where they
were certain to witness their death in every con-
ceivabe and horrible FORM What a fearful ac-
count these men have to settle with their neigh
bors and friends, whose footsteps they have guided
into the path Of destruction; with their country
now bleeding at every pore, and with humanity
which has been insuited and outraged. But We
forbear. These men claim to represent Michigan;
they claim that our impotence was so uncontroll-
able that if Gen. Scott refused to push his army
into danger we should prove false to our country.
Let the indignant response Of the people answer as
to the truth of this representation let them speak
their wishes in a manner not to be Misunderstood
or mistaken.-Defroif Free Press