The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-08-16
THOUGHTS R1aARD1Na THR WAR.

q Ep1ross Ux1ox-It is with hesitation ask .
small space in your paper = express some
thoughts sbeut the var. l make no pretensions
70 superior wisdom. But In times ike these,
Il perhsps may bs well for different men to
compare notes. with the hope that some good
plan may be the result. So. - "' '.''i
. It eeems to me that the officers in our volun.
teer army receive too much pay. There is
now strong temptation to become an officer
merely for the sake Of the emoluhent The
love Of country may hold bat subordinate
place. When such is the case it is unreasona-
bic to find much zeal in the service. There
can be no enthusiasm-no dash-Do bold I'D.
ventures. But more than this there is now a
the war. When the army shall no longer be
needed the hope Of their gain will be gone.
Hence, victory over the enemy is defeat to their
pecuniary hopes. Whilst there are no doubt
many officers of the most genuine patriotism,
fear there are others of different character.
It would be strange if it we're not 20. 1t can.
not be denied that on the part of the officers Of
the army there exists strong temptation to
continue the war. Is it the part of wisdom to
hold out such q powerful inducement to . long
struggle! Further, what justice or propriety
is there in making such vast difference be.
tween the pay of officers and privatesi In
almost every company are found privstes who
are as intelligent and Is we'll educated, and
at home held just as high social and political
position, % their officers. If the. amount of
pay must be regulated by the standard Of merit
it is plain that the pay roll in the army should
be materially changed. What is specially
needed is . patriotism founded on something
better thsn pecuniary basis.
But I will change the theme. 1t is now re.
ported by the newspapers that Mr.. Lincoln
refuses to arm the negroes, or to issue decree
of emancipation, for the reason that the mass
Of the people in the loyal States would not
sustain him in such q bold onward movement
Whether the majority would or would not
sustain him in such measure, he ought not,
is seems to me, TO inquire. The question with
him should be, whether the msss Of those who
will HEARTILY UPHOLD HIN AT ALL wish this
onward movement. Lukewarm persons, and
secesh sympsthisers, should not come into the
account They cannot be Of any service on the
right side. Their opinions therefore should
have NO weight Throwing all such persons
out Of the account, my impression is, 20 fer a.
I can feel the public pulse, there is readiness
for the onward movement. 1t is well known
hat the best men in the land are painting for
it. They are impatient to have the decree go
forth. Now they hesitate to enlist, because
they wish TO belong only to the "Army Of
Emancipation" But it is said the country is
not ready for such an onward move We must
wait until more Of the conservatives are con-
vsrted to the abolition faith. But how are they
to be converted! We are cody told-by the
burning Of Washington, or by the dead bodies
Of still further thousands Of our noble sons.
Perhaps there ere men who need snch an argu-
ment. Charity would hope that their number
Is few, and all patriots will unite in the prayer
"Ths good Lord have mercy upon them"
Most Of rs have felt the force Of such an
argument until We are content. live, or ouz
friends, must bite the dust Of death in the
further prosecution Of this var. We choose "a
90 i for the sole purpose Of directly destroying
Slavery. .-s,t.! -, - 7- ". 7.
BULLY FoR (" BAsrILEs."",--The follow
ing is splendid testimonial of the healthy
influences of American bsstils6" which
We End 10 the Leavenvorth Lnqafrer. 6ab.
stitute /" Slavery" for /" Unioa'' and you
have the tone Of tAs paper before the bas-