Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-21


From the testimony of recent facts, II
would seem to be matter of doubt whether
the honor Of the nation can safely be confded
to the protection Of the national soldiery.
We say the honor of the nation, for its unity
is thing that depends upon agents of an
entirely different character. If there are not
in these United States elements of cohesion
stronger than all the armies we ever had, or
are likely to have, the Union neither can nor
oupht TO endure. When the time arrives
that it is necessary to support armies to keep
the nation from going to pieces its integrity
will not be worth the cost Of its preservation.
So far as the Union is concerned--in the ul-
timate decision of the question whether it
shall or shall not be maintained The seizure
of the posts at Charleston and Mobile and
New Orleans, are things-of no account.
But the national honor is involved in
keeping possession of the national strong
holds, which are entrusted to officers of the
army, whose duty is to defend them against
all invaders alike. To perform this duty
bravely and well, is the soldiers title to re-
nown; to neglect or abandon it, his title to
enduring iniamy. He is not called upon to
deliberate or to negotiate-to weigh ques-
tions of politics, or enter into the mazes of
diplomacy: his business is TO act. To him,
all invaders are foes; they all stand upon
the same footing, and are entitled to the
same treatment at his hands. And when for
any purpose or under any influence he per-
mits bimself TO di;crlminate Or to falter, he
is dishonored. The plea OF conscientious
sciuples is inadmissible at the forum, where
the question Of his merits will come up for
final adjudication. He has either discharged
his trust and dcne honor to his nation, or
he has not, and done it disgrace; and he will
be famous or Infamous accordingly.
1t is anunfortunate thing for the efficiency
of the army, in case of intestine disturbance
that a large share of its officers are from the
SoutL-the section in which troubles de-
manding temporary employment of the
military arm in aid of the civil, are most
likely to arise. They are probably brave
enough-for physical courage is the ex.
elusive property of no raco or people; but
impregnated with State rights distractions
and far more under the influence of sectional
sentiment than Northern men ever become
in all disputes between the nation and the
section, they are of the party of the latter
and are of necessity unreliable where theil
duty is in conflict with their party prefer.
ences. In such cases. men of honor will al
once resign. There is no other course con
sistent with that unhinching integrity which
it is the duty Of the military man to pre-
serve; and the fact that several officers o
the army with Southern sympathies hav,
retained their commands, while OBVIOUSLY
unwilling to perform the obligations whicl
belong to their positions, does not Speal
well for the style of manhood in fashion
where they were born and educated.
1t would be better for the respectability o
the nation that these posts were given up a
once, than to retain them through tho suf
france of the insurrectionists. Their cap
tuIe Is not one single step toward disunior
or secession, nor does their possession add &
particle to the chances Of the Secessionists
while the utter weakness of condition in
which their commanders, while retaining
their places, can consent to see the flag O.
the nation insulted and its authority defiet
within range Of their own guns, without tn,
moral courage TO fire a shot to defend tn
one or vindicate the other, is disgraceful t
the army as it is TO the officer.