The national Republican., 1861-07-22
A HoNE GUARp.-The suggestion made
through the columns Of this paper of the organi

A HoME GUARD.-The suggestion made
through the columns ofthis paper Of the organi
cation of home guard has been approved by
many of our citizens but no action has yet
been initiated in regard to it. We regret this;
there should be forward movement at once.
The District volunteers recently mustered out
Of service would form an appropriate neucleus
Of such an organization; but it should be am.
pli6ed to the extent of embracing in its active
list every resident, permanent or temporary,
capable of service, and upon its honorary and
contributing list, every non.combatant resident
of each class, whose sympathies are on the
side Of law and order. In these times Of anxiety
and danger there is no telling what even an
hour may bring forth and it is therefore essen.
tisl to the safety of the community that we
shall be always ready. The supineness of the
great mass of the people Of Baltimore Of late
betrayed them into the hands of the basest
mob that ever initiated reign of tyranny;
and Baltimore has in consequence been blighted
in all her interests, even to the sacrifice Of mil
lions of wealth, and the demolition Of the great
highway Of commerce to that city. Surely we
should profit BY such an experience, and pre-.
vent the evils that, once contaminated, we may
End it difficult, or, it may be, impossible to re.
trieve.
SECESSION BARBAR,rIrs.-The ignoble char.
scter Of the rebel conflict now in progress finds
expression not unfrequently, we regret to say,
in acts Of barbaric cruelty more worthy the
spirit of sepoy revenge than of the indignation
Of people having any knowledge Of Christian
enlightenment An instance Of the kind is re.
corded in our local columns Of this morning.
We are not unmindful Of the degrading in.
Huencs usually attendant upon war, nor of the
fact that many public journals even among
those claiming to be friendly to the cause of
the Government, embrace every opportunity to
accuse the soldiers Of our army of robberies
never committed, and of burning towns never
in existence; yet it is a satisfaction that even
they have not charged upon the soldiers of
the Republic, such acts as daily disgrace the
enemy in every step of their unholy crusade.
The intimation given by General Butler, in
proclamation issued in Maryland, that if the
soldiers or the Union could stoop to retaliation,
almost every home of the people of the South
had within it q facile agent for the purpose,
ought to have challenged admiration for our
forbearance in the exemption Of our enemies
from fear. But this spirit is part of the mo.
tive that has led them to the contest and the
danger that it may yet awaken a spirit Of re.
taiation beyond that which should proceed
from devotion to righteous cause is among
the severest of evils possible in the pathway
now before US.
TIE SABBATH.-The streets of Washington
yesterday presented an appearance Of neatness
and order, and q procession of quiet, church
going men, women, and children, in strange
contrast with the stupendous movements in
progress around US and the churches were
filed, and the services conducted "decently
and in order" as upon any other Sabbath within
the past ten year. Many Of our people were
indeed in the enjoyment Of happy exemption
from the anxieties that oppressed the minds Of
those who were endeavoring to estimate the
value of the great treasure Of peace and free
dom, so ruthlessly sssailed, and the dire calami
ties that must foil even upon the victors in the
fearful tragedy.
But the cause Of our Government was well
remembered in the prayers of the people, and
the blessings of peace and security under that
Government we're earnestly and eloquently in.
voked. God grant that there may be freedom
to utter this prayer in every church in the land
before the recurrence of many Sabbaths or Of
many battles.
As an evidence of the feeling of the
people of the country towards Governor John
son, of Tennessee, who has so nobly stood up
in defence Of the Union and the Constitution
We are informed that nearly every day before the
meeting of the Senate, notes are placed on his
desk by persons from all parts of the Union
compImeuting him on the bold stand he has
taken. We are permitted, by friend, to copy
the following, which is but one of hundreds Of
o similar character placed on his desk:
"God blessyou'
"w. Il. WALpRoN, R. l."
"s.MH.,
"Rsv 9. 8. CUMMINGS,
"Pascoag, r. l."
"God bless you, and give you strength to
stand up for the Union.
"P. W. D., Mass"
"God bless you.
"H. L. HoPKIss, r. l."
amen, to all the above expressions;
"GLovIR, Of Indiana"
Such, we presume, are the sentiments of al
Union.loving men throughout the country
We could fill o column with similar exclama
tions If we had room.
By the arrival Of the Pony Express at For
Kearpy, we have Gdvices from San Francisco