The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-01-08
THE WAR ~ MISSOURI

BONNEVILLE, No, Jan 18th, lSG2.
THE WAR ~ MISSOURI
Much has been said and written regarding
the military operations in Missouri and .
much censure has been heapcd upon the heads
Of those who have had the management OF al
fairs and put in motion the grand scheme for
the subjugation Of the rebels. We all recol'
lect that when John c. Fremont was placed
at the head of affairs in the western depart
ment, the nation rang with his praise and
great things were promised to be done III the
name Of the pathfinder. How well and how
far these expectations have been realized let
the history Of the past record
We will be borne out in the remark, by
passing events, that there never has been, in
the history Of our government, a time when
the demand for pure and unselhsh patriot
ism was So imperative as at present ltwould
seem from the history of operations III Mis-
souri,, that never have the facilities for sue
cessful fraud and deception been 30 abundant
or the opportunities more numerous Tor re
creant and unprincipled men to enrich them.
selves at their country's expense, by the be.
trayal or abuse Of their country's trust and
confidence The varied and vast interests OF
mighty nation have been in consequence Of
this unholy rebellion committed to the keep
ing Of the people. Her vast armories and
treasures have been thrown open for the
equipment and support Of her soldiers. Mil
lions of her money have had to be placed ~
the disposal Of agents and contractors, upon
whose integrity and patriotism everything
his depended. What possible extravaganza
and prodlgality, aud, in some instances, reck'
lessness and recresncy, must be contingen
cies against which no positive and cfcctuaI
provisions could he made none can fail to see.
Much, reJy much, necessarily had to be left
to the patriotism and integrity OF those agents
and contractors. The urgency of the times
has afforded opportunities for improper mer
to obtain control Of the positions and resour.
ces of the government. As legitimate re.
suit Of this here IN Missouri instances have
transpired that cannot fail to bring the blush
to the cheek Of every true patrlotof every
lover Of hi, country--of every really honest
man Instances in which sordid selishuess
has triumphed over the purest instincts OF the
human heart the uoblest elements and char
acters;ics OF human nature instances in which
men have cynced n willingness to take advan.
tage Of a revul,ou O! our national affairs, and
enrich themselves On the spells Of plundered
treasury, and distracted country. These
exigencirs in our national affairs furnish the
strongest and most positive tests Of the puri.
ty and feryency of our patriotism. They will
try most thoroughly the integrity OF the
American people, and while they will pro
duce some instances Of degraded selfish
ness, they will also furnish some glorious ex.
amples Of patriotic and unsefsh devotion
No one will deny but that the peculiar cir
cumstances connected with this rebellion
furnish the seyerest tests of the loyalty and
patriotism OF the American people. 1t is al.
together unlike any war that has demanded
the energies and resources Of our nation. In
its intricaCies and con.commitant, it some.
and friends, 1t involves the disruption Of
parties, and the abandonment, temporarily at
least, Of party issues and party platforms 1t
frequently creates q necessity for the suuder,
ing of commercial intercourse, aud the for.
fixture Of legal and commercial contracts.
Such are the cxigencies Of the case here in
Missouri. There are great many person.
here who say that they are not prepared It
meet this great issue with the promptues,
and decision that the necessities of the case
demand They hesitate and talter, while at
the same time they declare that they are fol
unfolding the integrity of the union. Their,
are many who will not sacrifice personal in
terests to interfere at this iunctuIe with tn,
duty they owe their country. They woulC
not take up arms and enter the ranks with
the enemy they could not consent openly
and violently to oppose the government in
the war; and yet they are not prepared to
sacrifice homerUmiorts and onjovment- tc
enter the field in defense of the union aud
the flag that has protected them 50 long
They withhold this and stand aloof and re,
gard with cold and bitter scrutiny the acts Of
the national government. Even, all this, we
claim, is not only cold and cruel it is unjust
and unpatrotic Missouri has union men
enough within her borders, if they would but
set promptly and energetically, to drive every
secsssionist in arms against the government,