Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-10-11

down their arms, Iwould not dictate hard
terms to them. We have always been
forbearing with them, and they may be
sure that we will be SO in the future
The people in the Southern States have
nothing 10 fear from the people Of the
Northern States. We have never cult
vated toward them that feeling Of hostil-
ity which they have cultivated toward us.
When they shall have returned TO their
allegiance, am perfectly willing that
they should have their constitutional
rights. II however, they persevere in
their rebellion, we must then subdue
them by force Of arms. In doing 30 the
enecs may be to strengthen our Govern
ment' by emancipating their slaves and
making all our people, free people thus
strengthening, beautifying and adjoining
this great and good government of ours
by the fullest application Of the blessings
of liberty and freedom.
Under these circumstances every class
OF our fellow w-citizens has duty 10 per-
form. The ladies have great and elo-
rious duty before them, to impart tvigor
and strength TO the arms Of those who no
forth to battle for their country. know
how the young soldier feels who goes
forth from his home to meet the perils Of
war. He bids his, mother, his sister per-
haps his sweetheart farewell, and the i'm
preston their parting makes upon him is
stronger than any parting from man can
be. Men may talk, fathers may counsel;
mothers may incite; but what mother
a sister, a sweetheart says, has ten times
the eloquence of other words. The ladies
have their part in this contest, and we az
must be filed with the idea that each one
of us is called upon to defend our coun-
try. Fathers should not complain OF the
little inconvenience it may be TO them
to have their sons go TO tile war. Better
for their sons to go, better for themselves,
better for their country.
No man should stand in the way of
this great work. Those who are compell-
ed TO remain at home by the pressure
of business aud by the claims OF family
ties-and these things are often unavoid-
able-can be as good soldiers as those
who 60 forth to fight upon the battle
field. Let them talk for the cause, help
the wives and families Of those who have
gone; do unto them as they would have
done to to themselves if they had gone.
AS for the young men, no more great
and glorious contest could be participated
in by them than this. They are called
upon TO fight for their country, for their
rights and liberties. They do not go at
the command of king or despot to
conquer new dominions. They do not
go even as the French did under Napole-
on for military glory and honor. They
are not called upon to support any caste
or monarch, noble or priest. But they
are called upon to support the only repub-
lie in the world; republic which, if il
should die, would carry TO its grave the
ashes of liberty. For what nation,
what people in all coming time would
embark upon the experiment of free gov
ernment, if we, who have had SO many
advantages, who have had along our path
way so many lights Of Providence, can
not govern ourselves.
My countrymen. the work is before
you. Every man should perform his du-
ty. The young men must enlist and
fight; the middle aged men support those
who are left, and the old men advise.
cheer and support.
Let us look with forbearance upon the
conduct Of those who are called upon 10
govern and 10 administer the affairs of this
country, remembering that they are but
men, weak and frail as we are. When
they have done wrong, and you see that
they have done wrong, turn them out
But until then, treat them with forbear-
ance. We can at least do this towards
those who are charged under these trying
circumstances with the high and impor-
tant duty of sustaining this government.
And if man does well in putting down
this rebellion, then support him heartily
and cheerfully. Do not find fault with
simple errors and mistakes. We can all
help, at home and abroad, in our fields or
by our fresides, in our houses or in pub
lie assemblage.
And let us not forget in this hour of
peril, that great and good God rules aud
governs us ALL His will and providence
must after all guide us to success or de-
feat. Upon Him depends our fate. sub
ject to our using the proper means. We
as Christian people should never forget
Him; that petitions for His kind care and
providence should be addressed to the
throne Of grace. Ihave no doubt that it
would inspire our people with confidence
in their cause to invoke the providence
and mercy Of God. Any man who will
look over the history of the world, must
be an in6del or a fool TO say The provi-
dence of God does not guide and dispose
of the destinies of nations.
1 am told that you in this county have
already done very we'll in the enlisting of
volunteers. You have one or two COM
panies not completed. trust that they
will soon be filed, aud that you will send
even more from among you. Let every
man who has heard me to-day ask him
is my duty to my country?-
Shall | remain here and carry on my pur-
suits of peaceful industry, or shall in
this hour Of need join the ranks of those
brave men who are now fighting the bat
Ties OF my country?
l know that a small settlement like this
cannot send forth great army. But riv-
ers and oceans are formed by the small
streams and riVulets that start in the hills
and gather strength and volume as they
flow along, until nothing can stand before
them.
Every man man must take this question
home to himself; must decide for him.
self what his duty is. and what is de-
mandad of him hv his eounirv at this