Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-17
Good News-Hurrah for warI

lne hepuDncan JOuTndlS are really Juobduil
at the prospect of civil ware From the very first,
they have advocated the employment of force to
punish and subdue those States which their own
aggressive acts have driven to revolution; and
now they hear with undisguised JOY those extern
siye naval and military preparations which are to
inaugurate an era of fratricdal war and blood
she'd They regard with satisfaction the embark
alton of hired troops which are sworn to spread
desolation among peaceful homes,aDd the depart
ure of war vessels that are to slaughter anu de-
stroy those for whose protection they were con-
structed. J" We are in fighting mood" says
one rabid editor and the indications that ''vigo-
rous policy" is about to be pursued, he halls as
:. good news !"
Hurrah for War !" But whe is to do the
fighting Where is the battle ground III here
at the North were the seat of war, and those only
were compelled to shoulder the musket VINO
clamOr Justify for strife, including fighting editors,
choleric parsons and fanatical slave steaers, they
would perhaps, be less valiant and less eager. But
the battle is vet afar off Here all is yet peace
on the surface Men quietly pursue their daily
avocations in prosperous times past. They are
not called to the trenches and batteries or held IN
readiness for sudden emergencies that maysummon
them to the defense of their homes. Our harbor
is not encrcled with newly constructed batteries
and earth-wor There is 10 daily martial pa
rade nor beat of drums in the public thorough
navy yard, the drafting of troops, and the equip
ment of war vessels, the greater part of our pop
ulaton not cognizant, except as they are IN
formed by the morning journals When we are
not menaced by the stern realities OF war, we can
not properly comprehend IFS evils. We may cry
"war" when we are far from the scene OF con-
fiict-when our homes are secure from the inya
der, and our lives not exposed 70 bullet and
steel but were such persons familiar with the
actual bitter experiences OF war, of ciUH war, they
would stand appalled, before any one act that
would tend to precpitate it. When the conflict
is brought to our own doors, regrets, however
sincere, will come too late.
AS has been remarked. here all is apparently
peaceful. What different picture is presented
at the SOUTH Troops and munitions of war are
conveyed to the seaboard by every train, and con
centrated ut the points ofanticpated attack. The
muster roll is called in every town and village OF
the interior. Shops, farms, pulpits and newspaper
Offices are deserted for the field Doctors editors,
ex Congressman, State Senators, lawyers, plant
ers, merchants and mechanics, occupy the ranks,
many of them prvates. One company at
Charleston is said to have ten divinity students in
its ranks, and to be differed by clergyman.
Other companies represent wealth assessed at one
and two millions of dollars and upward. Old men
of seventy years buckle on their armor, and join
their sons and grandsOns to offer their services to
the Government. Saves-the same slaves whom
the Abolition plotters of all troubles prophe-
sled would eagerly rise against their masters to
secure their freelom--demand to go to the wars
and share the fate of their owners. Those that
can be spared from the field, work laboriousy in
the trenches and in throwing up sand batteries.
lie theirs of wives, sisters and mothers, flow while
they encourage the young men 10 heroic achieve
ments, and praycrs- follow ttouc who may neveH
return. All who are old enough to bear arms az
resignedly given up. Many ladies even ms
upon following the fortunes of those they love.
With the people of the South these are the
stern realities of war. made more terrible because
it is civil war. There are no idle vauntngs, but
action. Believing their cause just, they are con-
tent to suffer and endure. They are prepared for
the worst that may happen; and the noble spirit
oil patriotism evinced, may bear favorable COM
parison with that displayed throughout the trying
Revolution of 70 III
OF such material is the Southern army COM
posed. When men of high social and official po
sition, and unaccustomed to hardship volunteer
to toll with the shovel and haul the ponderous
machines of warfare, nothing but overwhelm-
ing force can crush them The spirit that err
yades all classes alike, must render them irwin
chile while breath and life remain. There no
hired mercenarieS who make warfare a trade
who offer their lives as "food for powder" They
are worthy of more noble foemen than many of
the employed troops that have been sent against
them. If "a life for a life is to be given, let
the vaunting editors of the North, the Shapes
rifle preachers, and the whole horde of abolition
fanatics, who are so clamorous for war; coercion,
and mo compromise with traitors" and who cry
''bang the rebels" volunteer to march against
them The country which they have ruined can
well spare them, and they will not have occasion
to complain of the reception they win meet with.
Those who have raised the war, should do the
lighting V .Jour of C9,n