Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-16
Th,pes That We Ought To Do.


Things That We Ought To Do.
Now that the ball is open, the thing of
greatest importance is to finish it as soon as
possible. There is nothing so intolerable to
a people. so destructive to their interests, or
40 debnsing of the public morals, as a state
of chronic warfare. sH
In all things, but in war above all, and in
civil above all other kinds of war, halfway
measures, and dilatory time-serving policy
are to be avoided by those who would achieve
success. We, the people of the Northern
States, are in for it-so much is certain. The
interesting question now is Are we equal
to the emergency2
There is spirit enough among the people.
They will fight. The dragons teeth sown at
Charleston on Friday and Saturday, have
already produced million full-grown fight
ing, men north of the Ohio.
The Northern heart is not easily fired; but
when once excited it will retain its heat as
well as The Southern. There is no fear for
soldiers, good ones who only need to be
shown the enemy to give an excellent ac-
count of themselves.
There is wanted, first war material-arms
and ammunition. The South is armed to
the teeth; the North is almost entirely des-
titute. There are probably IN the Southern
Confederlcy as many Government muskets
Of the latest and most approved pattern as
there are able-bodied men between the ages
of eighteen and fifty. In the North-at
least, in this part of it-there are not enough
to supply the members of the military COM
panies now in existence.
Circumstances every day coming to light
demonstrate how actively treachery has
been at work to arm one section OF the
Union and to disarm the other.
The division line, in respect to arms, is the
Ohio.
When Tennessee or Mississippi wants to
plant battery of heavy guns along the
river, it has an abundance of means-metal
and ammunition. Ohio has perhaps, two or
three field. pieces in a condition to use.
Probably it has not a ball that would fit
either of them.
side shoulder the finest muskets that were
ever turned out of Government armory.
The Cincinnati Continentals carry guns no
more effective than those their grandfathers
carried in the Revolution.
Furthermore, there is need to know where
we are-wbo are our friends and who are
enemies. In times like these he who is not
with US, in heart and SOUL to the end, must
be counted against us.
Within the territory of that which was
once the United States, there is no neutral
ity-all men belong to one side or the other.
1t is incumbent upon the proper par
ties to require the Governments of the Bor-
der slave States to define their position. Are
we TO look upon and treat them as friends or
as enemies2 Are Kentucky aud Virginia
integral parts of the American Union,
making common cause with it; or have they
cast their lot with the Cotton Confederacy?
The Governors of the States of the Union
are sz- o6ieio conservators of the public peace
within their several jurisdictions. The Office
of conservatOr of the peace does not begin at
the time the State is invaded by foreign
force, but before. 1t begins when there is
just reason to apprehend that an invasion is
contemplated or is likely to occur in the
course Of events.
Along the borders Of Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois, lie the States of Vir-
ginis and Kentucky. The question, what is
the relation which the Governments and
people Of these two rows of States are to
hold to each other2 is an important one, and
should be definitely answered. A state of
suspense upon so vital a point should
not be permitted to continue.
Commissioners should be appointed either
by the joint or the separate action of the
Governors Of the Northern Border States,
to visit the seats of government of the
Southern, and make formal inquiry Of
their Governors, as to the course they intend
to pursue; az, for example:
"DOes Kentucky propose to permit South
ern armies on their way to invade the States
north of the Ohio to pass through her ter
ritory2
"Does she intend 10 allow her citizens to
join the ranks of such army, or in any way
to give il assistancs2
"Will Kentucky exert the police power
of her Government to prevent the invasion
of those States by lawless bands of her OWL
citizens organized for plunder and mis-
chief"
As Kentucky shall answer these questions
she should be counted friend or an enemy
If she is our enemy, we need TO begin to day
to guard against her. She has enough o.
the turbulent and lawless element in hel
population to do Us mischief; and il is al.
ready beginning to exhibit signs Of uneasi.
ness.
We need military men--men of military
experience and capacity. Soldering is /
trade which has to be learned. Leadershi,
Is business, and requires practice as well a
aptitude. There are few military geniuss
born nova days. and our eitizen-soldier
and officers are much more likely to be brav
in the fight than wise in council or sfieisr
in strategy and maneuVers. We need nov
while organization is going on, the advi,
ID - A. 4.