Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-07-23
PRESCOTT JOURNAL.
Prescott. Wisconsin, July %, 1862.
some thoughts on the War.

trsin has the gloom of i'll tidings cast its
=, dow over the Land; with McClellans retro
.-,de movement still fresh in our memories and
rlghing on our spirits like an hideous dream
s., surrender of an whole regiment, and the
-.-,yted capitulatiOn of \ ashville is flashed
- the wires. AS the newspapers arrive
al are read, mems hearts. seem 10 sink within
hem, as the previous rumOrs are confirmed, and
-Psr saddened and anxious looks seem to ar
,ae, that they are despairing for their country.
This ii ii appears to us is wrong; it is right
aid proper to take an interest in the welldoing
-four armies, to rejoice in their successes and
regret their reverses, but sTdqgerdtioT is TO a
great extent prevailing fault in this country
and the same influence, while it adds TO the
Importance of victories by attributing TO them
advantages wholly, or at least partially ina
cinative. in like manner, not only magnifies
the extent of our calamities,bu Is also but too
apt to look upon slight reverse as a great de-
feat
No man who has an interest in the integrity
Of the Union, or who desires that this country
should regain its once proud position of a Re-
rublic FREE, HAIRY, and UNITED, can stand
.ilT by and watch the progress of the war
rIthout emotion: but this same feeling carried
- excess induces a state of mind morbidly sem
tive.
The army of the Potomac advances towards
r-hmoud and the CRY is raised Richmond
!: vurs' he finds it expedient after time 10
.tange his front, and our songs of triumph are
fLllsed to lamentation, when in neither case
vas there cause for either excessive rejoicing
d. smrowing.
AS Horace describes the mind Of the Roman
youth ofhis day,
"Ccreus in vitium t1ecti.'
Faulty, easy TO be Influenced;
even so is the temperament of the American
mind to-day. The extravagant rejoicing over
aud increasing the importance of victories will
surely be followed by corresponding sorrow.
Remember, in lettering the higher you go up
1T lower YOU nave 10 COiHS gov II.
To all thinking, or rather rejecting men, it
must be evident, that a crisis is fast approach
nc in this our struggle for national existence,
when the misplaced clemency of orr Gov
crnment must be laid aside, and war carried
into the enemys country in earnest. God for
bid, that the cry Of outraged woman, or the
death-wail of helpless innocence. should call
down vengeance on the armies of the North.
Bot why in the name ofcom mon sense, if not
@ lie lame of humanity, should the rebel
Uuns against his Just government be al
hFs1'o enjoy the luxur les of lie undisturbcd,
'aLd the toil-worn soldier, his frame en-
h'oied by sickness, is forbidden to appropri-
Ste even the necessaries of life, belonging to
ile enemy he is fighting against. 10 save
'oFardly administration from a bugbear
faarge Of unnecessary harshness?
Finding himself in the midst of those
mrgs for the want of which he is even
STEERING, and supposing, poor fool, that the
"Tiylng on war against power means an
'ayng II by any and every possible means,
ne soldier stretches out his hand 10 grasp
hose necessaries which his government is un-
'0le or unwilling to provide for him. But
DC cry arises. " Respect private property"
a'd his hand is brought back empty. Shame
Oh such false reasoning. Can that be private
Property which administers aid and comfort
TO the enemyi Why, when union men are
suffering all through the Southern States in
lie and property, is secession in the Border
S'a'es 10 be treated as privileged and its
property held sacred? But, it may be OBJ
'S'ed' by allowing the soldiers to help them
yves; the property of union men is endan-
sssed- think not. Where man is favorablv
.'lihed towards the government, he will
Heely and uncomplainingly admin lister to the
Utmost extent Of his ability to the wants of
the troops; and this. experience has shown re
case.
Gen. Lew Wallace. in speech ren,.,e with
tine, manly straight-forwardness a ror,;o,, g
which appears in our issue of this week. save.
On II 1 could get Little backbone into
hose who are governing us. If could but
snmate them to use the great powers that God
mas given US. If could but slim
aate them to the point of courage when they
Gaze do their duty as our soldiers in the field
'ate TO march to the lannon's mouth, and
'opd enduce them to let US make ,oar, that i.
'lIask."
want to be allowed the privilege. wher
& march through secession districts. to make
y soldiers comfortable on secession property
l would not make war barbarous
But l never again want to lead a
~'pan OF troops through land rich with
-'-'sN a@d !ururies belonging to the enemy
y government without having the priv.
9s" giving portion of them az least 10