Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-05-02
Military Spirit.

Military Spirit.
A high degree of military
spirit pervades all sections of our country,
and this community exhibits its full share
Alike the heary -headed man and the rosy
checked boy, show signs of the arousal OF
this commendable, though long dormant spi-
rit. Those who before this have looked upon
military array with feeling of contempt are
now seen buckling on the sword or should,
ering the musket. And why Not for the
pomp and splendor of martial array, nor for
the pleasure of being decked with plumes
and tinsel but because the exigencies OF
the times demand that they should do so.-
Our flag has been insulted our laws have
been set at defiance and the lives Of our ru~
lsrs threatened. Our property has been
stolen and eur fellow citizens have been
murdered. And what makes it all worse.
is the fact that these deeds of violence have
been perpetrated by cur own countrymen,
whe by these very acts have proven them
selves traitors Of the yilest kind. When
these things are considered, it is no marvel
that men who were born in our land, protect
ed by those very laws, and who glory in
that proud flag, are willing to leave their
fields, their offices, and their workshops and
become the defenders of their common coun-
try. The President of the United States has
issued proclamation for troops to aid in
upholding the Constitution and enforcing
the laws. Our noble old Commonwealth has
rendered to the Government twice the num-
Der of men required at her hands. Where
did they all come from asks one. These
Peunsylvanians are not warlike people,
their attention is principally turned to agri-
cultural pursuits, and one would suppose
that they coull hardly be persuaded to take
up arms, says another. To the inquiry We
might say that they came from among the
mountains and valleys Of the old Keystone,
in whose depths and upon whose heights
they breathe the very atmosphere of freedom.
And amsng those mountains there are still
thousands Of freemen who are able and will
ling to fight for their native land. It is true
that the attention of the masses Of our peo-
pie are disposed to engage in peaceable pur-
suits bat when the stern realities of war
are to be met when their services are need
ed to battle for the right, then they eynce
their manhood by leaving their ploWs stand
ia the furrow, their hammers lie on the an
vii, and taking up arms for their country.
! While Pennsylvania has acted thus nobly
who will dare say that Centre County, and
especially our community, has not performed
her duty. Our brave fellow citizens have
taken their lives in their hands and gone
forth to battle for the right. They have
made many sacrifices. They have e1chan-
ged their comfortable homes for the priva-
tions of the Camp. They have sacrificed
their business interests, that they might obey
their country's CALL The have bid their
friends adieu not knowing whether they ever
should meet again.
And those who are left behind are not
idle; but are forming companies for drill
that they may be prepared to go when need
ed. Our townsmen have formed themselves
into company called the "Hone Guards"
Il is composed principally Of middle aged
men. Another company composed of young
men, between the ages of eighteen and twen-
ty-fve, called Company B, BeIlefonte Fem
cibles, has been formed and are making fne
progress in drilling. This company has
made application to the Government for arms
And the little boys, tao, have caught the
spirit, and may be seen marching through
the streets with wooden muskets in their
hands. That is right, boys In after years
when the men of the present day are in the
grave, you will be called upon to guard our
,nstitutious and defend our flag.
Let this spirit be fostered. Let us always
be prepared to do active service for our eoun-
try, and the combined efforts of traitors
within and foes without will be as harmless
as the beating of the waves upon the shore.