Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-09-26
The Lesson OF the Day.

The Lesson OF the Day.
To-day is landmark in the history
Of this Nation, nucleus around which,
in the records Of the future historian,
will cluster all tn, stern and terrible
facts and circumstances connected with
the Internal conspiracy which seeks the
overthrow of the best Government ever
devised by mankind. Its dawning finds
us in the very slough Of despond, and
through the dark cloud which rolls up
from Lexington, we can scarce discover
ray OF hope for the cause which our
better judgment, our natural sense OF JUS
tice, tell us, must and will triumph.
BIT We remember another Lexington,
an our hearts yibIatc to the eneourag
ing thoughts which leap up from our
fathers graves; that these clouds
sheathc the lightning which viii yet
send terror and dislnay and destruction
among the enemies Of orr liberties; and
now, as we 90 TO join our prayers with
all the patriots # the Nation, and in
sorrowiul remembrance Of our faults and
crimes as a people and as individuals,
humble ourselves before Him who now
aflicts us with "iaction and ciyl war
strengthened and encouraged in the
faith that our cause is lust and mus PEE
vail, let us grid on our armor anew, re-
solved to DO our whole duty, not as par
tizans, but as men and honest patriots.
Let us ask ourselves whether, as citi-
zens Of this State, we are Iosl onsible for
any faults or miscarriAgc3 ia the conduct
of this war and in the use OF tie mcals
which have been placed IN our hands.
Turks not the same evil in our midst,
against which we aic 50 earnestly en-
tending, dcmogogueism and all the
train of Ills which follow il the path OF
partizanship aud political corruption
Are the meg who hold oilic3 1T orr
handa thorough patriots, sober, intcll-
gent, honest and equal t. the present
emergency? Certainly, the conduct Of
affairs in this State, the situation Of the
men composing the regiments thus far
sent forth, are alarming enough to rouse
the attention Of every man who prctends
to concern for the public welfare
These appearances justify suspicion, and
when the comfort, the lives and happi.
ness OF our brethren are at stake, suspjc-
ion is Jast ground OF inquiry. With
all candor and respect we enter into it.
Up to certain point all people are pa
tlent, but iIl-usage, incompctency, and
imbecllity, and above all demosogueism
patent ard glarng will rouse Their in
dignation, and they will demand com
pletc reform.
They, see prominent citizens, who,
burning with Indignation at the course
OF affairs, have set themselves TO work
to organize successful rciormations, sud.
denly growing lukcwarm and inlfler
ent, commission rs p'astcr CLOSING
their mouths. They see men chartered
in lcaky barracks, without uniforms
shiyc'ing in the chilly nights. without
blankets, in camp without instruction
week after week, AMI finally, they be.
hold them marching through the streets
on their way to the war, many Ct them
hatless and shocless, unarmcl and uue
quipped.
They see--no its impossible to get a
sight at the ubiquitous Chief Magistrate
now in Washington it is said, to ar
range for ;he uniforms of tie men. if
is knonn that nothing was accomplished
In that line but fat contract for the
purchase OF horses was obtained FL,
somebody !; now 10 the southern part al
the State quoting in his own peculiar
way, certain deser. cdly disaiiected per
sons ; now east,now west-neyer. where
he should be.
They believe that aids in num5e,
sufficient, at least, are dotted all over
the State; some of them, no doubt.
performing the agricultural pantomime
Of scare-crOws-and they ask why is
not our Governor at some point stationed
in communication with the different de.
partments and by the orderly conduct
Of his business, through his subordinates