The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-12
The Duty OF the Hour.

From the Chicago Post Tuesday Morning SEPT. ..
At the moment these lines are written
the arms of the Union are 10 defeat. The
force of Pope, which has retreated from
Culpepper, had been dcgged at every step
by the enemy. On Friday he made stand
at Bull Run, and fought for twelve hours,
driving back his pursuers, but unable from
exhaustion to follow them. On Sunday he
was again assailed, and after most bloody
fight was forced again to fall back. He re.
treated to Centreville, where he made an
other stand The loss of life and of pros
perty has been immense, and the horror and
anguish of the bloody rebellion will be
painfully realized in thousands of families,
whose Sons and brothers, fathers and hus,
bands, now sleep in death, or linger disabled
upon the waters of Bull Run. Ever since
McClellan's unavoidable abandonment OF
the siege of Richmond, the Federal arms
have met with disaster, and even now it is
feared that Banks whole division has been
captured by the rebels. We have the as.
surance, however, that Pope has been so
Dumerously reinforced that all danger has
passed, and that once more the scattered
Union army is combined in force enough to
resist the desperate assaults of the enemy.
But what it the heavens look dark
What if the sky be overcast. and deep
gloom settle upon all Is the Union wort b
so little that it is not worth fighting for
And il it be worth fighting for ct all. is the
hour OF defeat the hour for dependency
and despair? We have an army OF 100000
men, fresh men, now in the field. They are
ready to march, and if the government can
place arms in their hands, they are ready to
be poured down upon the enemy. LIE, no
man be disheartened. The expiri1g candle
fiickers up aud burns most brightly just be-
fore il ends in darkness. The rebels knew
that this new army was mastering ; they
knew that if they were to do anything it
must be done before this new levy took the
field, and taking advantage of the divided
situation of our forces, they have made a
rush upon Washington. What il they do
take Washington? Did the rebels give up
when We took New Orleans? Did they
give up when we took Memphis? Would
they abandon the struggle if We took Rich
mond? What il they do take Washington,
shall We abandon the fight, fold onr arms
and cry cut for peace and chains This war
was accepted by the administration with
the purpose on its part TO fight it cut until
the last blow that could be struck was
struck, or the rebellion crushed. If any
man ever thought of doing less, that man
was not at heart a loyal man. Had we no
army raised, had we now to commence en-,
listments and begin recruiting, there would
because to fear that before an army could
be put into the field there would be some
justification for dependency, but the recent
fights, bloody and disastrous as they have
been to US, have not been the less to the
rebels. They have no new army raised and
ready for the field. They have now all
their available force under arms. We in
troduce into the campaign 100000 fresh
men, to relieve our veterans and to share
with them the honors, and we hope the vic.
tories that are to follow. Have We no
cause to rejoice that the disasters of the
past, being disasters also to the enemy, give
u.s. with a fresh army already raised,
great advantage?
Above all, whatever disaster may come,
and it is possible we may have Others, let
no man think OF giving up the contest.
Let each reverse inspire Us with new yigor
to tight for cause which deserves to be
i.ught for while a man is left. 1t is the
DUTY OF every loyal citizen at once to DO all
in bis power to aid the government in the
struggle, made more vital bec:u use OF the
desperate vigor displayed by the rebels.