The Van Buren press., 1861-09-18
From the New York News, Aug. IL.
Recruit Sergeant Starvation.

! A oted war journal says that there need
be no man lacking emy loyment in the North
| while 600 900 soldiers are wanted for the
war. 1t is, doubtless, true ihat the Admin
istration relies chiefly upon the destitution
it has caused, to supply the flesh and blood
material necessary for the accomplishment
of its schemes of conquest. Gaunt hunger
apd threadbare poverty will stalk as recruit
ting sergeants through the purlieus OF mis-
cry in populous cities. enticing the broken
hearted aud desperate victims of privation
into the ranks of fanaticism. A motley
crowd of haggard, famished wretches Will
drag their weary steps along our thorough
fares, the martial drum and file vainIy stri-
wing to inspire their dropping forms with
4 monetary animation ci.izenswil psuse
and gaze with listless eyes ut the passing
mockery, wondering what has become oi the
pomp and circumstance of war the recruit
made callous by want, and hee,.less OF the
future. SO he have his supply Of necessary
food and raiment, will be thrust into
worthless uniform. and marched off to en-
gage in deadly strife with those with whom
he has no earthly cause of quarrel ami
this will be called popular enthusiasm, ami
the voices of the people, unanimous ior
war.
1t must be desperate cause that appeals
to empty stomach and shive:ng nakedness,
for its suppoTt-that first steals the daily
bread from the lips Of honest labor, and then
makes starvation the tool OF ITS success
When Rome, trained to the re6nements OF
cruelty, by familiarity with foreign and do
mestic war, prepared the bloody sports oi
the arena for the recreation of some imperi-
al monster the wild beasts that were to be
pitted against each ether were starved with
in their tcns till proper degree Of mad
ness and terocity was attained. Even then
sometimes, the poor creatures, goadeu AMI
tormented as they were, would avoid the
combat, and shrinking with means within
their Gagged recesses, would disappoint the
blood-thirsty expectancy of those who ur
ged them on. Perhaps the chiefs of thu
War party, prune even the Senate chambe
to shape their models out Of Roman prece
dents, have taken lesson ont OF the blood
stained records of the coliseum and since
they have set their minds upon having ;
>pectacle of carnage, would goal the peopl
TO the fighting point with the pangs 0
hunger.
One does not look for much of sentimen
Or charity in the columns OF partizan wa
journal, but If one thing can be more un
, feeling than another, it is the deliberate in
I tmation to thousands OF honest, but desti
tute Americans that they can hereafter pur
chase their daily brea only at the price o
their brothers blood and their own-tha
they must absolutely become devastator
and the slaycrs OF men from necessity. 70
the support of themselves and families
Whatever their convictions may be. what
a ever their inclinations or their scrn9les
a whatever their horrors at the thought o
going into their Makers presence with tn
! blood Of a fellow creature upon their souls
! they are told that they must succumb to tn
o cravings OF nature, and yield th emselve
, the unwilling servants Ct fanaticlsm. Th
War party have them in their tolls, an
there is no help for it but to siarve or fight
Such a theory might, with equal justice, b
applied to the palliation of swindling an
/ highway robbery. 1t proves the ute
, heartlessness and egotism of those who al
/ urging on the people to self destruction
!, The argument is simply this: When fiv
hundred thousand men are writhing wit
the pangs of hunger, the five hundred thou
sand soldiers of Aboli,ionism will be forth
. coming.
One can almost perceive chrckle and a
a exultation in the language which convey
), the sentiments. 1t seems to say: Work
10 fngmen of the North, we have stripped yo
. of the privilege of labor. and we can bu
you for soldiers at our price. Bt they 70,
get that battles are not won by bayonet'
l. unless backed by willing hearts. The so
dier that is forced to the battlefield by wan
l. by the cries os his famished children, by ii
n tears of hiss dropping wife, ty the spectl
,r OF poverty that hannts his humble dweiln;
J. may be lion in courage, but he lack
|, something without which victories are NJ
he won. He lacks the inspiration which dt
d votion to the cause he fights for alone ca
give.
le If the North were struggling now I
20 drive an invader from its soil, that inspirs
|. would exist. Soldiers would rally at I'll
E. war shout like hounds at the hunters cal
!, There would be no panics to humiliate, n
in disgracelul routs to record on the tablets
l. eternal shame. But now the Norther
le troops have no heart for the contest. The
e, would rather greet their foemen with
,. friendly grasp, than dash upon them wit
70 leveled bayonets. They do not feel tn,
= there is true cause FOR bloodshed. and yo
!, cannot make them feel it. Their instinc
y are stronger than your Arguments. The
IS have fellow-feeling for the South. too,
'e that they love their liberties better than ii
y mere machine Of Government. They car
5. not be made to fight it out, for their heart
lie are half on the other side. When the hun
l. fgry and the naked and the homeless ha,
TT been all gathered IN, armed and equipped I
IS do the ruthless work OF Aboiitionism, the
ie must be made the most of, for few Others
beyond advcnturers and fanatics, can |
coaxed or driven into the bloody aren
n The present hope of the War party is bui
ie upon the des'ilution they have can,eI, bt
: it is hope that is kindred 10 despair.
Re EE- In a railroad car the seats were "a
.. full except one, which was occupied by
'e pleasant looking lrishman; and ut one
Ii the stations couple of evidently we'll bre
and intelligent young ladies came in. Sc,
ne ing no seat, they turned to go into the bac
car. when Patrick rose hastily. and offerc
:. them hi, seat Will, evhicnt pleasure. ..B u,
you will have no srat, responded one
. the young ladies'. with a smile. hesita.in;
!, with true politeness to accept Of it. mi,
: er niu.l thai - said the gallant lliberria,
: :. YER welcome to it. I'D ride apon ii
:. eotc- catcher to Charleston. any time, Tor
~ 60. Ia.