The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-19

Ors and rewards IL common to all hghting men,
but where the soldier, in addition 10 drill and
discipline, and this general ambition, is suscep'
tible of the higher Inspiration Of patriotism and
its ennobling motives and aims, it is manifest
that he has an increased power and is capable
Of better style of execution. These are some
Of the differences between an ignorant and an
intelligent sodiesy, and just here lies cur mill
tary advantage and distinction, as compared
with the other great powers Il ID because on:
people are universally educated, and are q read
ing and writing people, that we can extempo-
rise an army, and make effective soldiers ont Of
farmers and mechanics, in less time than any
other nation, and have done IL in this war with
a rapidity and success that has caused astonish-
ment and admiration among European military
men. The Albion, the English paper publish
ed in New York, which has hitherto manifested
much Of the vulgar British contempt for every
thing American, said the other day, in reference
to the soldiers of the Potomac army:
"Not . few British officers from regiments
| stationed in Canada, are employed there on spe-
cial service, have been recently permitted TO
examine with professional eye their hone and
sinew, their equipment, their discipline, their
maneuvres. 1t comes within our own personal
knowledge that several Of these our soldier
countrymen, whose opinions are of the greatest
value, report their unbounded surprise and ad-
miration at the effective and promising condi-
ton of the thousands Of troops whom they have
seen. Of the fighting qualities they may have
something to say hereafter, for-thanks to the
unexpected and exceeding courtesy of General
Mcclellan some Of these gentlemen have been
allowed to accompany the headquarters of the
United States army in its expected onward
march, This obligation, We need scarcely say,
is far more appreciated by military men than
any reviews or entertainments got up for their
benefit, while those who could not remain to
avail themselves of this privilege are neverthe-
less most grateful for the hospitality with which
they have been received"
The recent great battle must have made ia
vorable impression as to the fighting qualities of
our troops, and such of the British military Wis
tors as have accompanied the army into Virginia
are likely soon to see good fighting there. We
are also showing the European powers some
novelties in the art of war. Even the rebels
have the honor of giving the first demonstration
Of the immense superiority of iron-clad vessels,
and thus of revolutionizing the whole matter Of
naval warfare As a consequence of this demon
stration we shall in six months have formula
BILE iIon-clad feet, the very existence of which
will be the best guaranty against invasion from
abroad, and will command the respect which the
other powers were inclined to withhold from US
in the period of our weakness and doubt. All
that is now past, and the European nations are
taking novel lessons of US in maritime warfare,
and learning practical military science at the
feet Of our commanders.
There has been no campaign on the soil of
Europe for half century, involving such vast
extent of country, such great natural and moral
difficulties, and requiring such broad and com.
prehensve military science and military strength
and resources, as the present war. 1t is abso-
lutely appalling in its proportions, and it is not
strange that foreigners should have been incred-
ulous as to the power of our government, taken
by surprise and without an army or navy to
commence with, to re-establish its authority
over nearly half the Union in open and declared
revolt. They were doubtless honest in the be-
lief that success in so gigan lie work was out Of
the question. Now that they see our armies
marching on to its rapid accomplishment their
incredulity changes suddenly to surprised admit
ration. We are demonstrating to the world that
a republic may have sufficient vitality for self
preservation, and we are achieving military
reputation that will make US respected as we
never have been before. This is not our great.
est or most valuable gain from this bloody strug-
gle, but it will be worth something as a security
for our future peace and the peace of the world
And 1t will be worth great deal in future to
the struggling people of Europe in their attempts
to throw off the burdens of hereditary despotism
and vindicate their own rights to self govern.
-lSpring6eld Republican.