The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23
Governor Sprague on the War-..He
thinks 1T will prove a long War
-.-False Estimate OF the Resour-
ces OF the Rebels.

thinks 1T will prove q long War
-..False Estimate OF the Resour-
ces OF the Rebels.
Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island, re.
turning from the engagement at Bull Run,
opened the extra session of the Legislature
on Thursday last with brief and pertinent
address. His statements in regard to the
errors in the conduct of the war, its proba'
BILE duration, and resources of the enemy,
will be found interesting
The senators are aware of the object
which has called them together, both by the
proclamation which has been made and by
events with which the whole country has
become familiar:
When the action of this body was first
taken the State and the country felt the
war would, from the necessities of the case,
be OF short duration. Since that time
events have transpired which have opened
the eyes of the whole country to the mag
nitude of the rebellion which they are
called upon to crush out. The repulse
which the army has recently suffered has
been owing to so many causes that it is
impossible to attribute it to any one which
we would regard as satisfactory-all of
them pointing to the condition of things
which we now behold. The State and the
country, however, may feel assured, from
the change in the programme at Washing
ton, and by the people throughout the whole
North, that the errors of the past will not
be repeated in the future, and also that
f. b,r
fail to result in success.
The war will of necessity be long one.
We have been in error as to the strength
of the enemy and as to the long and persist
ent course that has been pursued by the
South tending towards this point while we
have been occupied in our business they
have been creating revolution. We were
under the impression that they were lack
ing in all the resources which 60 to raise
and maintain armies. Whereas, in almost
every particular, we have found them supe.
rior to ourselves A.; we have found not only
the physique of their men equal to ours, but
their clothing, their arms, their subsistence,
their means of ansportatiOn-everyt thing
that goes to make up military efficiency,
superior to ours. And when we have been
obliged to be the attacking force, marching
under Southern sun, exhausted, without
provisions and without shelter, they have
been encamped and in fortified positions in
country unlriendly to US and friendly to
them, where they could receive information
of every movement of ours and we learn
nothing whatever of theirs.
The probabilities are that in no case on
the record of the worlds history, has an
army been called into the field possessing
so little knowledge of the strength and po-
sition of the enemy; and such being the
case, it was impossible for any troops in the
position ours found themselves, to have sus-
t8ined themselves for any considerable
length of time. 1t has opened the eyes of
the country to the immensely of this struggle
and in this view of the subject the result
may be bearable.
The troops of the North entering the
field against those of the South have in
every case, occupying equal advantages,
been able to drive them from the field
but, protected by superior position, by
batteries and superior force, it has of course
been impossible-utterly out of the ques-
ton to attempt to drive them from their
strongholds.
Such being the case, and the country
calling upon the States for 80 much more
than was at first anticipated, taxation by
the general government and next by the
State increasing, have been induced to
call the Legislature together to zee whether
they are willing to continue the liberal
course which was inaugurated when the
contest first began.
To me it is the most satisfactory thing
that can be done to contribute in any and
every way to the advantage and comfort of
the soldiers. 1t is hard enough for them to
leave their homes, to suffer all the priva.
tions which none know but those who follow
them. Everything that grateful state can
do for her sons who are willing to sacrifice
themselves 10 such q cause should be done |;
but it is important that the State should
have at its disposal resources to avenge the
defeat of those they sent at first, for if you
nearly exhaust your resources at the outset,
you will find yourselves less able to continue
to support those that you have already
placed in the field.
Bills have been drawn and will be pre-
sented to the Senate tending to the further-
ance OF these ideas, and tending to make the
troops of this State not less efficient than
they have been, but having an eye to the
future with view of outstanding the re-
sources of the State for whatever necessa-
ries they may be called upon to contribute
to the country to promote the success of the
good cause. have arranged with the gov
eminent of the United States for the pay
ment of the expenses growing out of the rails
ing of the second regiment and battery, and
also for the raising of additional regiments,
when the bills are presented.
ONE HONEST FIRM IN CHARLESTON, s. c.
We understand that draft for the sum of S..
600 has been received in this city within few
days, from firm in Charleston, 8. c., not to
debt.-Boston Traveller.