New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-12
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR sPRAGUE OF RHODE
ISLAND.

Governor Spague, in opening the extra session Of
the Rhode Iland Legislature on Thursday, said:
The Senators are aware Of the object that has called
them together both from the proclamation which has
been made and by events with which the whole coun-
try has become familiar. When the action Of TIN.
body first taken the State and the country felt thai
the war would from the necessities Of the cRse be Of
short duration. Since that time events have trans
pired which have oyened the eyes OF the whole coun
try 70 the magnitude Of the rebellion Which they are
called upon 20 crush out. The fepul-es which the
army has recently suffered has been owing To many
causes that il Is mpossible % attribute il 10 my
winch should regard as salifiactoy, all Of them
pointing TO the condition of things which We now he.
hold. The State and the country, however, my feel
assured, from the change In the programme at Wash
ingon and by the people throug bout the whole North
that the Of the past will not he repeated the
future and also that every movement for the fn ure
will hardly fail 10 result IN success. The will of
nece, sity be long one. We have been in i.s
to the strength of the enemy, aud to the long
and persistent which has been pursued by
the South tending toward this point; while We
have been occupied ia our business they have
been creating revolution We under the
impression that they were lacking in idl the
resources which go to nise and maintain armies,
Whereas in almost every particular, we have found
them superior to ourselves; have found that not
only The physique Of their men ]. equal 10 ours, but
their clothing their arms, their subsistence and their
means OF that goes 70 make
M mjl,tary eIiciency-superi0r 10 Ours. And when
ing under Southern sun, exhausted, without pro-
yi-ions and without sheer they have been encamped
and iu fortified positions III country uniriendy 10 Ms
and friendly 10 them, where they cou receive infor-
nation Of every movement Of ours, aud could learn
nothing whatever ofthors. The probabilities arc that
in no ease on the record Of the world history has
army been called into the eld possessing 30 little
knowledge Of the strength and position of the enemy;
and such being the case, 1t was impossible for any
troops in the position ours found themselves have
sustained themselves for any considerable length of
time IL has opened the eyes OF the country 10 the
immensity OF this struggle and in that view Of the
subject the result may be beable. The troops Of the
North entering the field against thsse Of the South
have in every case when occupying equal advantages,
been able drive them from the field but protectedby
superior position by batteries and superior force has
of cOurHe been impOsible-utery out Of the question
TO attempt drive them from their strongholds Such
being the case and the country caAg upon the States
for 50 much more than at first anticipated tax
alton by the General Government, and next by
the State, increasing, / bave been induced 10 call
the Legislature together 10 see whether they are
willing 10 continue the liberal which insu.
gurated when this contest first began To Inc IL ia the
most satisfactory thing that can be done 10 contribute
in any and every way 10 the advantage and comfort OF
the soldiers. II is hard enough for them 20 leave their
homes, TO suffer ali the pnya,iOns which none know
but those who follow them. Every hing thata CRATE
full State do for her who are willing 70 sacIi
flee themselves in such a should be done but IL
IL important that the State should know its ability,
defeat Of those that they sent at st for you nearly
exhaust your resources az the outset, you will find
yourselves less able 10 continue TO support those bat
you have already placed in the field ills have heen
drawn and will be presented to the Senate tending 10
the futherance of these ideas, ana tending 10 make
the troops of this State not less efficient tLan they
have been but having an eve 10 the future with II
view Of outstanding the resources Of TIE State for
whatever necessares they may DO called upon 10
tribute TO the country 20 promote the succes, Of the
good cause. have arranged with the government Of
the United States for the payment Of the expenses
growing cut Of the raising Of the Second regiment and
battery, ard also fer the raising OF additional Iegi
ments, when the bills presented.
"SECESII' UNDERTAKES AN UNDERTAKER.
circumstance has recently occurred in this city
which 10 not only strongly illustrative Of the zeal Of the
Rebel enisses in carrying ont their Objects but also
OF the necessity Of greater caution in the disposal Of
articles which, in their nnture and uses de-
cdedy contnaband OF war than any Others The facts
are all vouched for.
The senior OF the Arm Of John Peak & Son, UNDER