Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-24


or seventy FIVE thousand men, has met with a
rompt and vigorous response. Several Of the
States have already notified the War Department
nat the quota of men required of them are
ready, and already large number of them are
on their way to Washington. Tomorrow, more
ihan one thousand men will leave this city for
nat destination. live are to have war, it should
te energetically prosecuted. A vigorous policy
! half the battle.
The South is OF idle either. The same en-
gy which characterizes the Government at
= ashington. finds its counterpart in that of Mont
pmery- There appears to be no lack of conf
ence On the part of the people Of the Confeder-
e States in their ability to maintain their po-
ton. and Mr. STEPHENS ia represented to have
ie that seventy FIVE times IS 900 men could not
timidate them. We admire this American
uck 1t is the spirit which animated the men
4 '76, and however much the most ultra men of
ne North may condemn the action of the people
the South, they cannot but respect the spirit
u the descendants of a common ancestry. 1t
sroves that no cowardly blood flows in American
sias when occasion calls for the exercise of cour-
5e and heroism. A nation ike ours may be de
Gated, but nescT eonquere Il may be cast
'wn. but never destroyed. We would not hu-
-.iliate or degrade the men Of Virginia. whose
retailers gave to the northwest an empire,
&c empire. nor the descendants Of the Kentucki-
Is. who CALAMITY protested and defended our in
at -ss''ements ON many battle field, and where
Nv rtstt..er bones as mernentoes of their heroism
ID fraternal affection Can; the people of the
orthwest now raise their hands in fraternal strife
Eainst Virginia and Kentucky? Shall the mem
y Of what they have done for US be forgotten
IN it be erased from our memories and hearts?
eaven forbid the ingratitudel Let us not re-
in evil for good Let us rather concede to
EN- all that they may require for the security of
ctr institutions, and all, nay even more than
rights they claim under a common constitu-
On and government.
The border States have not yet seeded. They
n not desert the more Southern States with
Iom they are identified by the ties of both in
rest and consanguinity. Against the influence
such sentiments they have struggled for the
ltegrity of the Union. If the Confederate
srates have been precipitate, say even wrong in
.1eir action, can it be expected that parents will
esert their children? All we know is that Viz
mia. Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and
Iissouri have refused to respond to the call of
ne President for militia to aid in subduing the
Confederate States Mastery inactivity may be
heir policy.
The Presidents proclamation sets forth the
employment of the militia called out as follows !:
The first service assigned to the forces hereby
called forth viii be to repossess the forts places
end property which have been seized from the
Tnion." If the border States do not secede the
1rces will be sent to retake the forts places and
roperty seized from the government in the Con-
sderate States. Charleston. Savannah, Pensaco
New Orleans and the entire coast of the South
n Confederacy will be the seat ofw The effort
i'll be to blockade all the Southern ports, Grip
EFF not entirely destroy commerce and thus en-
'rce the return of those States to their allegiance
the Federal Government. The North have
ne navy, the men and the money TO prosecute
he war with vigor and probably with success If
eft alone it will be in the power of the North to
Ut of their trade entirely, which would result in
''lnkruptcy and ruin, while the Northern States
eft free would feel but littleif any inconvenience
rom the struggle These results are based upon
ne calculation that the border Ststes take no part
] the controversy, except to preserve the in
agrity Of their soil from either Northern or
5Juthern armies. On the other hand the Con-
sderate States will have the advantage Of being
ne invaded territory, with an inhospitable
Innate. The latter will cut off more men than
ne sword. Left alone. the Gulf States viii find
an unequal strife; but if the border States unite
leir destiny with the Southern Confederacy, the
lissolution Of the Union may be regare
inevitable A fearful responsibility rests upon
the action of Virginia. both to the North
nd to the South. Secession ON her par,
ill carry with her nearly all of Maryland. North
Jarolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri
he balances of the Union tremble upon her de-
sion. If she goes out. upon her soil will com
mence the struggle, the intercinine strife. as
bloody and revengeful as ever darkened the page:
If history. The government which has chal
tDetu Tue dumifdliOH VI the HOf1us anu WHICH
las conferred more personal liberty and happiness.
han has been ever enjoyed in any other, viii b.
inverted into two or more military despotsms
nd, instead of peace and prosperity. we shall
ave contention and adversely.
And what necessity for this strife? Party spiri
iii have precipitated il. A little concession
little compromise upon distractions mostly
distract party dogmas-would have prevente'
ne fierce struggle which now threatens to del
lge the land with blood. We can only hope tina
When the forces of the North and South are con
;regated, the lea ding men may pause in the mad
ness which now impels them, and consider tn
consequences Of the conflict. AS against tn
Gulf States the North must eventually triumph
,ut against an united South can the North expec
0 conqusri The position of the border slav
states viii dstermine the issue.