, 1861-04-19

ILLINOIS TO THE RESCUE.
From every hamlet in Illinois comes the
news of military enrolment and drill. The
enthusiasm Of the people knows no bound.
Everywhere the fear is- uppermost that
our contingent will be made up without
giving q place to this or that company
or regiment. The wires are burdened with
dispatches Offering men to the Gnyernor.
Democrats are struggling with Republi-
CATS and Republicans with Democrats, for
places N the ranks. The cry ia, SILL they
comet How different. from the sluggish
moynments which preceded the war with
Msxico,- when three successive proclama-
Eons hom Gov. Ford failed to start vol
: unseer in Chicago, and when the civil au-
th-ities well nigh despaired Of raising the
Illinois quotal Then, the consciences Of
the people were not enlisted. Non they
a.e touched as with live coal from of
tue altar Of their county, Then, the few
who went to the war were actuated by the
rough and tumble spirit Of carrying the
Government through bad scrape, right
or wrong Now the entire mass Of the
people are swollen with sense Of duty.
They are alive to the fact that we sre in 8
struggle for national existence, and inspired
to heroic madness by the d2nger threat
eniBg their beloved flag.
Yet we may appeal to the fields Of
Meeico for proofs Of the 7aIor of Illinois.
Let the deeds of Hardin and Bisseu and
Shields and Baker and other glorious feI.
lows tell the tale. Wherever the fight was
tMckest and death tn busiest, they were
in the foremost rank. Wherever the stars
and stripes were signalled, the Illinois regi-
1nents' were found close to their eoiors,
never wavering, neYer dismayed From
the terrible gfapp1e at Buena Vista, where
p1atoona we're moved down at every dis
charge, Illinois bore the proudest houo1s
Of the memorable day. And from the be-
ginning to the end Of the war, our volun-'
TIERS never showed their backs to the foe.
never disgfaced their State, but brought
back to their homes the trophies Of brave
soldiers serving their country, from first to
last, honorab]y and well!
What may We not hope for in the COM
ing eon:eat2 Already, as we learn, have
sixty-eight companies been rendered to the
Governor, OF had been rendered to him On
Wednesday last, and go great the pressure
On 81! sides from officers and men in every
county Of the State, that no time csn be
fs1nd to. answer letters and dispatches.
Are these men less brave than those who
fJllowed B:ssell, Hardin and Shields to the
fields Of Mexico? Not whit. II they be
but as valiant as these, OF If the war be
protracted sufficient = to draw out the |
numbers which Illinois will gladly send to
protect the stars End stripes, it will be
shown that our Prairie State alone can
turn out q force Ike the army Of the first
Napoleon, only less effective than that foT
The want Of equal discipline and education
In the :ayssof war. We have the numbers
aud tha spirit-.the education can soon be
gained, the familiarity with battles and
sieges will not be long wanting.
WHAT we have said of Illinois is true of |
the whole Northwest-indeed, Of every |
loyal State. All Americans are brave.
Which side shall en- lure the strife longest |
.Hlaich shall soonest reach its last pound |
of bread, Its last charge Of powder, It's last
gun, its bottom dollar? This is the ques-
tion?