The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-09-18
From the Chicago Times.
The Union Men of the Border States.

mSu VIII SlaJ W noinc, uuudTilcu ny
bullets, and only acquainted with war
through the medium of glowing descrip-
tons, are apt to talk more valorously
than those who fight and bleed in the
service Of their country. So true is this,
that the first exception TO it we have met
with on public occasion was furnished
by the modest General, fresh from the
presence of war, and still weak and lame
from his wounds, who has come to lead
the armies of his and our Stale, beloved
Illinois. He proved the truth of the say
ing "that earnest men arc quiet men,
and we wish all the North would follow
his example.
We are led TO these remarks by the
strong difference in tone between southern
and northern Union journals. Here at
the North, where all men are loyal, and
patriotism is rs safe u pursuit as the air
of heaven, there is no scruple nor hesita-
ton about measures-no calm, quiet view
of the questions of the war in all their
bearings. Martial law is boldly advoca-
ted for States far away from us; the sup
preston of newspapers is upheld, provi-
ded they are not orr papers; and gene
rally we assume all the garrulity and vo-
alteration of men who not only never
have fought, but who never will fight, in
the battles of this revolution. ave
know what we would do with captured
traitors" VIC sagaciously remark; awe
would hang them;" and some Of our
people savagely persist that Lincoln has
not been severe enough, but ought to
execute each prisoner taken, without
Judge or jury. 1t is not at all remarka-
bic that the vehemence and zeal of these
people are in exact ratio to the chances
that they will ever in any contingency
shoulder musket. But in the border
southern States the case is very different.
There the man who stands by the Union
literally dons the garb of the soldier, and
takes his life in his hand, in defence of
his principles. He knows not at what
instant his home may be invaded, his
property destroyed, or his life cut short.
He has not the secure patriotism Of the
payements and editorial rooms of New
York or Chicago. He has no certainty
of the continuance of anything, save his
own constancy to the Constitution and
the Union. He therefore docs not rant
nor talk savagely. The deeds Of war and
ruin are around him in every direction.-
He must be careful not TO warm them to
fruition by the heat of his wrath, He is
like one cropping in the dark. lie knows
that there is light, but he seeks it with
outstretchcd arms and strained eye-balls.
Hence we do not find the Union press of
the South fippantly denouncing or prais-
ing whatever is done by the Administra-
ton, or by generals. 1t represents n
people whose stake of life and property
is immediate, inevitable, and makes them
earnest, rs men will be who know not one
hour what the next may bring FORTH
Men in this position anayze every act of
the government with critical eyes of self
interest and experience. They know the
southern people, the causes and pre-
fences of the rebellion, the secession lead
ers, and the dangers of the situation
around them. Prentice cannot, like
Greeley, or the Independent people, be
certain that he can safely issue his fulmi-
nations through newspapers columns.
He must live prepared at any instant to
defend his advocacy Of the Union at the
muzzlo of the pistol. 1t requires brave
man to do this,-not only brave man,
but an Incorporating patriot, whose
devotion makes him earnest-whose dan
ger makes him wise.
When such men, the forlorn hope of
the Constitution in the Slave States, cry
out TO us from the very vortex of seces-
sion in tones Ct entreaty or of warning,
we should listen to them. They are
struggling TO keep not only States, but
hundreds Of thousands of fighting men,
in the Union. They pray their fellow
citizens at the North TO abandon their
anti-slavcry political organizations--to
strengthen their hands, and TO save them
from civil war and the Republic from fur
Their disruption, by strict adherence TO
the Constitution and an unequivocal dis
claimer of any, the least, sympathy with
the abolition sentiment. They tremble
when they witness the reckless inquiry of
certain northern papers, /" What is to be
done with the slavesl Why don't VIC
free them?" because they live in Slave
States, are owners of slaves, and are
obliged TO manage, and, if possible, lead,
a slaveholding population. They see
that patriotism is so powerful, so over
whelming in wealth and numbers, in the
} North, that it needs not be blatant,
boastful, nor proscriptive. "Lend us out
of your great strength" say they. Re-
member that your policies, even your
UOrds, may cost us our lives, or the lives
OF those dear to u.s." Why should not
the North respond to this appeal 2 Dc
we need Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,
Western Virginia? With them against
us, eau we maintain the Union? can we
even be certan'of victorious warl Sla-
very will not enter the contest unless
forced into it by fanatics or traitors. The
: liberty and happiness of white men are