The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-19

SHEET.
pable of welding the destin. Go " .no nAsion'
bot the suferings and sorrows W NV 'nn,o''
and the lessons which it conveys via 70 ene
tual in preventing similar catastrophe 70. 'no
next half century.
Something was wanting to consolidate our
strength and to prepare us for further progress
in our mighty destiny, instead of stagnating in
our prosperity and becoming an effsminate and
enfsebled nation. The trial is great; but, the
metal being the right kind, it will gain in lus-
ire what it may lose in bulk
The NATIONAL SPIRIT ARoUsED.-The ma
tional spirit is thoroughly aroused all over
tie North and West, and troops are pour
ing rapidly on Washington in response to the
call Of tho President. Yesterday q regiment
from Massachusetts,, thousand strong, passed
through this city, and Is by this time quartered
in the federal capital. To day another regi-
ment from tho same State will take hasty
breakfast at the Astor House, and proceed on
its journey in the same direction; and to NOR
row the regiment from Rhode Island, COM
manded by Governor Sprague, will take Its
morning repast at the same hotel, and
hasten on to headquarters. The Seventh regi-
ment Of our own division received orders to
march yesterday, and viii leave this after
noon for Washington. The Twelfth will imme-
diately follow. With all the facilities Of tele-
graph and railroad, an army of two hun
dred thousand men can thus be concentrated
at any given point at few hours notice.
The Northern and Western States have an
enrolled militia of nearly two and half mil
lions of men, most Of whom are trained to the
use of firearms, and can make pretty good
shot, and many Of them are regularly drilled
and disciplined in organized companies. These
States have also abundance of, munitions of
war, and money enough at command to sustain
a large force in the field. There exists, more
over, perfect unanimity Of feeling to make
all these resources available to the service of
the government. 1t is true that half the men
who are now hurryiDg on to Washington do
not care who is President; many of them may
be opposed to Mr.. Lincoln and his party; but
they do care for the integrity, the life the perma-
nency Of the republic, and in this sentiment all
party predictions and prejudices are now
submerged.
But while this extraordinary military activity
has been demonstrated for the past few days
all over the North, it was manifest that the &C
ton Of Virginia was to be the turning point Of
| the crisis. If Virginia had stood by the Union,
| and the other border States had acted in unison
with her, the contest would have been mar
rowed to an issue with the cotton States but,
| with the secession of Virginia, there is going
| to be enacted on the banks Of the Potomac one
of the most terrible conflicts the world has
ever Witnessed; and Virginia, with all her
social systems, will be doomed and swept
away.
Congress meets in extra session on the Fourth
of July, to assume grave responsibility; and
although hostile forces may be marching South,
we will advocate, as we have always advocated,
| the earnest consideration of measures concilia-
tory to the Southern States-measures which
will guarantee them those rights and privileges
to which they are entitled by the constitution
and the laws. 1t is to be hoped that Congress
when it assemblies, will realize the solemnity Of
its duties; that it will abjure all party legisla
ton and lobbying manmuvres, and will devote
itself energetically and with full conscious
ness of its responsibility to the momentous
issue of the day. Whatever the government is
about to do should be done quickly towards
the settlement of this question, in order that by
next fall peace may be restored, and the har.
mony and prosperity of the country may re-
sumo their former vigor. To bring about this
happy consummation is the paramount duty of
every citizen, from the President to the hum
| blest volunteer in the ranks.
The UNION FEELING AMONGST Our NATURAL
lied CITIZENS AND FOREIGN REsIDENrs.-There
can be no greater proof of the unanimity of feel
ing which pervades all classes at the North in
support Of the government than the fact that
not only our naturalized citizens, but foreign
residents, are eagerly volunteering their SER
vices for the contingents demanded by the