Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-05-17
[From The New York Tribune. |

[From The New York Tribune.
Where all have done well, it almost seems
invidous to single out n particular State for
praise. When, three weeks ago, it was an
nounced that an expedition had sailed to
carry food to that brave little band that had
held so long forlorn hope in Charleston
harbor, the patriotic heart beat high with an
ticipation; when the news came that the be-
leagured garrison was besct by ten thousand
foes without, with hunger and with fire with
in, and had, after enduring an inccssant
storm Of shell and shot for nearly two days.
been compelled to yield, there was univcr-
sal unbelicf in such madness of rebellion;
but when, at length, there was no longer
room for doubt, and it was known that Major
Anderson and his heroic followers had gath
cred in their arms the tattercd remnant of
tho flag that had hoatcd over them SO long,
and, with only that and their honor left, had
gone out from the smouldering ruins Of the
fortress they had held against such odds, then,
with one mighty shout Of indignation, the
whole North sprang to arms. The past was
forgotten; old party prejudices, long cherish
ed political predictions, were swallowed up
in one universal and overwhelming sentiment
of love Of country, and the North rendered
glad obedience to the law Of common broth
erhood Of race, of interests, ard Of institu-
tons, and confessed to the truth it has taken
thirty years to learn--that an alien system of
civil and of social life had made an alien pco-
pie. They knew and accepted the fact, as
they only can who inherited and have cher
| ished for threc-quarters off century nations
liberties, that the time had come for the final
struggle for Freedom, for homes, and for
country, with those who would substitute for
the government of class And in this
mighty uprising of a nation, Massachusetts,
led the van. lila -
That privilege was hers by right. The
children of the men who faced unarme,l, in
State street, the fire Of British troops; who
waited on Bunker Hill till they could sec tho
color of the eyes of the approaching foe be-
fore they pulled trigger; who drove back
from Lexington, with such arms as they
could snatch from over the kitchen fireplace,
the best disciplined soldiers of Europe, were
not men to hesitate at such time as this
And it was well for Massachusetts, that she
had for Chief Magistrate one whose foresight
had anticipated events, and whose large judg.
ment had provided for them. "We are
ready to start on the instant, said the people,
"but have not the means" "Scnd on your
men" replied the Governor, I" the means are
ready !" for by his diligent care, for months
carried the proclamation Of the President TO
Boston had hardly ceased to vibratc, Gro
Massachusetts, men, dropping the tools Of
their trades, and the implements of farming,
hurried from workshops and from fields,
gathered in villagc-squares, as their fathers
did eighty-six years ago, and commencing
wives and children, and parents, to the kind
care of neighbors, made quick adicus, and
marched to report themselves at head quar-
tcrs, ready for service. There were nstan-
ccs where the alarm was rung out from VII
lage -stceplcs, and men sprang from their bees,
fell into the ranks at the place Of rendezvous
and ere the sun had lit up the homes which
many OF them were never to see again, were
on their way to fight their country's battles.
Before d. soldier from any other State, except
few from Pennsylvania, had reached tho
Capital, these first minute-men Of Massacllu-
sets were cody surveying the shores Of Vir-
ginia from behind the walls of Fort Monroe.
How quickly. others followed these, and
how straight path they made to the defense
of the Government at its seat there is no
need of telling. The troops of Lowell and
Lawrence have followed with bowed heads
and many tears their honored dead to sacred
graves, and all Massachusetts, repeats the dy-
ing words of one Of these men," All hail to
the star and strips p Send home their bod
les tcndcrly," was the prayer Of the Gov
| ernor when asking for the unnamed dead
for where rights are so rcvcrcnced and men
are so prompt in their defense, Man, be his
condition or estate what it may, is sacred
The monumental marble that marks the nine
teenth of April in Massachusetts, is not yet
white enough nor piled high enough in the
memory Of her sons.