Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-08
breathing SpeII.

III Tic "a MILITARY Ndui-
pagn as in the prosecution of business enterprises
For two or three weeks past the country has been
intensely agitated. The affair of Fort Sumter
produced an Inflammation in the public mind which
has had no parallel in the history of the country;
and for the period named, the whole body polite
has been in a feverish, nervous glow of patriot
ism. The Government at Washington was at
last aroused to a sense of the true condition of
public affairs, and became alive to the Importance
of making speedy provisions for the public de-
tense. The Executives of all the Northern States
responded to the Presidents call for troops with
great alacrity; the Legislatures of such States
promptly authorized the men and money demand
ed; the pulse of the people throbbed with inten-
sity; and military movements were inaugurated in
every city, town and village throughout the North.
Newspapers were all at once inspired with won
derful military knowledge, and their conductors
could determine with the utmost confidence the
proper plan of a campaign, the node of organ
izing an army, and its concentration at the ex-
posed points. In fact, the offices of General in
Chief and Secretary of War seemed almost su-
perauous, so gifted in military affairs were some
of metropolitan journals, and so free with
their advice to the Government.
A vast deal has been accomplished IN the few
days which have elapsed, since the re-
cognzed. Large numbers of troops have been en-
rolled, and a sufficient number mustered into SER
vice and gathered at the Federal Capital to in
sure its safety against any immediate danger.
The urgent necessity existing, or supposed to ex-
list, caused many bodies of men to be hurried for
ward in a very unprepared state, and how, not
withstandng the impatient eensures against the
Government, which have proceeded from its pro-
essed but certainly indiscreet friends Gen. Scott
is obliged to insist that hereafter troops shall not
be sent forward until completely prepared TOR ser
vice.
The condition of affairs at Washington, taken
in connection with the intelligence from the Con
federate States, and the border States not yet
Joined to them, is now such as to justify greater
deliberaton and less OF haste and tumult, in the
preparation for war. This is a cause for congrat-
, ulation-f congratu,atiOn in connection with
such a calamity as civil war is pOsslbie-and will
enable the Government to proceed in its prepare
tons with more system and exactness; to plan
and execute campaign, it that shall prove nee
essary. upon scientific military principles; and
what is of infinite importance, fully to provide
for the comfort, protection and discipline, of the
troops called into service. No doubt there was
occasion for the hurried action respecting the
concentration of an army at Washington.
Whether the city was not to be attacked
by the Southern forces, there was sufficient rea-
son to apprehend such attack to Justify the most
expeditions preparations for defense. Enough
has been experienced, however, by the regiments
already sent forward, as well "a by some of those
in camp here and elsewhere, to justify the remark
that no greater calamity could betall our brave
soldiers than to be hurried into service unprepared
for the duties and the trials of military life
The loss of life from sickness and casualties OF
various kinds is always far greater than from &C
tual conflict with the enemy; and nothing short
of the most imperiouS necessity can justify any
government in placing in such imminent peril the
| lives of its patriotic citizens called out to tight
the battles of their country.
The pressing danger being now past, there car
be, we-hope, no doubt that the rule will be rigidly
enforced, of starting no bodies of men from
their State rendezvous until completely and fully
provided with everything requisite for a campaign
| DUTY to the soldiers, to their families and to hu
manitv, demands the most rigid Enforcement o.
! this policy, ana we do not doubt that the Gov
eminent, in spite of the clamOr of the press ans
of the popuace, viii appreciate its propriety ant
necessity. If it be said that the enemy will thu
gain time and advantages, the answers so do we
And if this war is TO 90 on, Ga fact which seem
almost inevitable,) it will then be war in which
due regard is paid to the lives of the soldiers en-
gagged and in which the only sacrifices required
will be those inseparabe from the highest stat
of military preparation and comfort. 1t must b
remembered too, that the bulk of our troops ar
recruits, unused to military restraint, and unac
quainted with military discipline A few week
rOr months spent i'm drilling and disciplining thes
forces, will add immensely to their efficiency an
usefulness when the real work comes. The shed
ding of blood will be soon enough and sal
enough, even if delayed for short period o
preparations -- ---l-s- -----
! There Is another consideration, and we ar
happy in the belief that in this the President is o
! the same opinion with prudent men Throughout
| the country. The rage for vengeance and sub
ljugation which has been aroused in the pas
month. is not the proper spirit in which to ente
upon movement like the one before us
| The contest, If -it must come, should he met il
the spirit Of intelligent civilization aud Christian
principle. 1t should be the object of the Govern
ment to assert its dignity and uphold its AUTHORITY
in manner designed to promote, and not to dc
stroy the spread of liberal principles; to main
tain, and not to undermine, the system upol
which our institutions are based To this end W,
should discard the teachings which urge polio
at war with constitutional obligations, and whicl
appear to be based upon the assumption that be
cause one portion refuses to submit to the consti
tutional authority, the Government is absolve,
| from all observance of the provisions of the fun
damental law and would be justified in overridin,
and overturning all established forms, in order t
punish and subjugate the rebeIlious States.
] There is nothing to be lost BY taking breath
/ and going little more deliberately about tn
great work before Whether that work is L
be war of sections, to be followed by utter com
mercial ruin and disaster, or whetheritis to as
I sumo the noble form of restoring peace and con
cord and fraternity between the contending par
ties, it will be all the better done for proceedin,
with GOODNESS and judgment and deliberation. keep
ing in that the least desirable of all results
would be the destruction of free government am
the establishment of hatred and bitterness betweei
| the sections for all time instead of maintainin,
constitutional liberty with social order, peace an,
harmony, either under single government sucl
as we have been favored with for three-quarter
of century, orin separate confederaeieS, ii unit
and domestic peace can not otherwise be main
tanned.
There will be-there should be no relaxation
OF military preparation-nO want Of energy in or
ganizing and preparing the volunteers for service
but knowledge of the existing facts, bette
understanding Of the present condition and rela
tons of the contending parties, will allow bette
system to be introduced, while reflection and judg
ment may take the place of excitement and un
| regulated patrfotism.-N Y. Jour. Of Commerce
/ E1n~ IN linn.