Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-24
Ghuite Mistrllanp.
The Romance of the War.
from the Philadelphia Press.I

The persuasive power ofspcech and the
sophistry OF the pen must yield in the ex-
tremity OF nations to higher umpire The
sword, mans Oldest appeal, has found in
this war its original dignity, and the master
men that led in debate, and were first at the
council, have come ut last to decide the IS
sue with arms.
States rights anil Federal rights have con-
tended long while upon the stump, and in
the Senate: for in the eloquence of the
trainers of the Constitution our present troub-
les began. After eight years of agitation,
their final adjustment must be left to gener-
ais rather than orators or writer's.
We now present the attitude of continu.
Gus armies extending across the continent
between the sea and the prairies-thrce hun
dred thousand men on either side-to fight
out these rival issues. And. apart from its
terrible consequences, and the immediate
sin in which it was begotten, this war is a
noble and sublime spectacle. 1t demonstrates
the heroism and strength ofboth sections. =
1t hasresolved race of civilians into race
of soldiers. 1t is a struggle of ideas that do
not finch from deeds, and Of principles that
will be yielded but with life. 1t isa demon
stration of practical independence worth
more than the eulogies of century. These
armies have been voluntarily gathered, and
they are greater than any that tyranny ever
brought into the field. States that, united,
maintained standing army smaller than the
present garrison of Paris, have separately
enlisted forces greater than the entire armies
Of most of the nations of Europe. Citizens
whose wealth and influence would have
placed them, under tyrannies, beyond the
reach Of conscription, are enlisted in our vol
unteer armies, side by side with the toiling
and obscure, feeling common devotion in O
common cause. Not men alone, but money,
is freely subscribed to the Republic. The
great manufactures are altered into armor-
les. Those who do not WELD the spear are
ward OF whose sacrifice is widowhood and
want, place the steel in the soldiers hand
and cheer him on to battle.
The whole country is bristling with bayo.
nets. When the echoes Of Sumter had reach
ed New England her children were on thu
march, and before the sound of hostilities
had broken upon Europe, troops from twelv,
States had rallied on the border line. /
any cause but this, we would have hailet
the spirit of the South. Ifbold, bad men
can thus stir up the people Ola section, wha
could we not expect of the whole country
contending for common right! I
The Northerner, quick in bargain bu
slow at blow; the. Southron, indolent bu
when impelled by passion, will exhibit i,
tthis contest their several indiyidualities. =
1t hascDmmenced with few slight successes
in favor Of the hot blood and fierce courag,
of the South 1t will end in the creates
victories OF modern times, achieved by tn,
sagacity and indomitable perseverance o
the North. The latter brings to its aid re-
sources Of art, intelligence, and persistence
the former an animal courage that ever
reverse will cool, and a common malevolenc
that defeat will change into, feud and ins ub
ordination. Hel iH
Upon one side are engaged good instinct
d perverted, power without order, and, prin
ciple in itselfsubversive and ruinous on In
other, elements Of discipline, endurance
and integrity, that having for their motiy
| the welfare Of the nation, and the common
good Of man, will neither be iqtimidatsd b.