The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-09-12
- Let the Rich EnIist.o


We are in the midst of most lamentable war
"a war for the Union-a war for the preserva-
ton of the country, its laws and its free insitu-
tions-a war for the preservation of those prin-
cipes embodied in the Declaration Of our INDIE
pendence, and of our Constitution founded up
on those principles. This war has been forced
upon the country by traitors and rebels. Not
to vindicate any great and glorious principle,
not to vindicate any human rights invaded or
threatened by the grasping hand of itresponsi-
BILE power-not for any of the objects that the
people generally go to war for, but for the OBJ
ect of tyrants, despots and usurpers; to plant
monarchy on the ruins Of this Republic, and
to substitute for universal Freedom and equality,
n titled and privileged aristocracy, founded on
" ealth, on the one hand, and servile or de-
graded populace on The other, founded on pow
elty or misfortune. In such war, all who
love Liberty, all who love Washington and the
glorious band Of heroes who, with him, estab-
| lishcd this Free Government under which we
have, as a nation, so prOSpercd and grown,
should contribute something, And we believe
that Ibis feeling is almost universal All c'ass-
e. Of people in the Free States have unitedly
Joined in the determination to preserve this I'm.
ion and save the country. For this object many
things are needed. Soldiers, money, munitions
Of var provisions &c. In this list OF wants,
there are none so rich and none so poor but
hat they can find place wherein TO bestow
their offerings to the cause Of our country
At this present time, the greatest and most
pressing want seems 20 be men-volunteers.-
And they are coming in freely and nobiy. By
thousands they are rushing to the standard Of
Freedom. In this crisis, is it fit time to at
tempt to palsy the arm OF the Government by
creating unworthy plejudices, by arraying the
poor against the rich or the rich against tile
poor2 by creating and fostering class prejudi-
ces-the merchant and the mechanic = the labC-
rer and the employer? We think not, and we
regret to see that spirit exhibited among US. -
The man who tries to prevent others from en-
isting by such arguments as the one with
which this article is headed is not true pat
riot g You poor men who have to work for a
living, when you can get work to do" says he,
&C should not enlist TO do all the fighting! Let
the rich men enlist, the merchants, the bankers
&c, if they want the Union preserved or the
country saved. There is no patriotism in
such language that, nor in the sentiment
clothed in different language.
1t seems to us that il is the part of wisdom
to encourage all to enst-rich and poor, TO kin
die anew and keep bright the fire Of patriotism
in every heat, that shall prompt erery Ameri-
can to do all lie can Ter the salvation of his
country. Our armies will then be fIll, and they
poor man to be deprived the right Of showing
any love of country He cannot give to hi
country money and means,and shall he therefore
sit down and say, this is the rich mans coun-
try ; let him fight its battles. Heaven forbid
We are all free men and patriots, however poor
we may be, and have our rights and RESPONSE
bilities equally with the richest man. The rich
man is responsible for his own acts, and will
act out the promptings of his own conscience
and patriotism. The same as we do who have to
labor for livelihood Some give their money
and others give their services and perhaps their
lives to their country. The history of the past
tells us whose gift is most esteemed by the
world The " Heroes of 70" the " Soldiers of
the Revolution" have for half century been
the honored aud revered recipients of every
public honor that grateful and happy people
could bestow. No celebration or pageant has
been considered complete that could not place
IN It's special Place ofhonor one or more Rev
Soldiers Their place has always
been at the right hand Of Presidents aud speak
ers
The" Heroes Of '76" have nearly all passed
away full ofhonors as of days. There is an
opening now for another Il ISIS Of Heroes. That
will be of the Heroes Of 81. They will fill the
same place il the hearts of The American peo-
pie that the Revolutionary soldiers have held
Tor the last half century. Instead of saving.
Let the rich men enlist" we say this is Just
he opportunity that the poor man should en-
brace &c raise himself above those who. on ac-
count ct their wealth now look down upon him
Here is the opportunity for thousands to Law the
ourdation OF both fame and fortune Those
who embrace it will have performed the duty
If the patriot, and for such the reward is not
low in coming. They will be the men whom
he nation will delight to honor and cherish.
We trust we shall hear no more of those ap-
'eals to the pr2judees of Tie people. Let us
!li' rich and poor as a band Of brothers, who
ave one common interest, do all we can, indi-
idually and collectively, for the honor, safe
y and welfare of our country, in this, its hour
f greatest need