The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-08-01
From the NiilCauk'ee Neegs.
Why?

E11OrtS are Delng maze 10 RAISE three
hundred thousand men for the war. The
recruits come in slowly. There is no reli
able evidence that a single full regiment
has been raised since the call of the Presi
dent The most liberal offers have been
made, not only by Congress, but bv the
patriotic people of the larger cities. Ifthe
necessities Of the army are any Incentive
double the number called for should have
flowed into camp at the first intimation
that they would be accepted. But neither
the weakness of the army, nor appeals
from press and forum, nor the temptations
Of gold bring the men. WHY
The people Of the United States love the
Constitution. They love liberty They
glory in their country. They believe that
this is in fact the best government ever
framed by human hands Their fathers
fought for it long and bravely. Them
selves have grown up under it and have
realized its blessings and its glory. The
future happiness and prosperity Of our
selves and our children depend upon its
perpetuation. Yet few or none now
shoulder the musket to defend it. Why /?
In the history of other nations we read
of protracted struggles for freedom. In
some lands, no human sacrifice has been
too great. Generations have passed, and
wars for liberty have gone on. Men have
lived and died by thousands: old and no>
bic families have expired whole people
have died cheerfuily on the battle field
that liberty might be won or defended.-
But there is little of that spirit manifested
in our own land to>day. WHY?
We all know that in the revolution
which dissolved the connection between
the colonies of Grea: Britain and the moth
er country, so strong was the inspiration
which moved onr fathers to arms, that few
or none remained at home. The farmer
left his plough in the furrow; the merch-
ant closed bis store; the lawyer his office
The officers were few-the priyates were
many. For eight long years the heroes of
that day maintained the contest, clothed
in rags, marching with bleeding feet
There we're no public meetings necessary
then to warm the popular heart. 1t was
not necessary then to pay large bountias
for soldiers. Hard and at times almost
hopeless, the service, and poor the pay
There WAS no drafting, there were no pat~
rotlc bribes for soldiers services, but boys
and grey headed men were yet found fol
lowing the fife and drum, and doing sol
dier'o duty. No such spirit aBinates the
people now. Why ?
The President calls for three hundred
thousand men. The army Of the republic,
stricken and driven back, sore pressed on
every hand, itself cries for help. Our own
sons and brothers-hrave and noble men
echo the cry from their beIeaguered
camps. The appeal is made to people
rich in physical energy and uch in gold
to men born Of q race Graded Oh the battle
field and nurtured to arms to states any
one Of which alone could if il would, mus
ter sufficient men aud means to keep at
bay the proudest power on the globe
Yet the appeal is unanswered and uuheard.
Strong men whom it almost seems God
had moulded for war, wall, the streets IN
muitiudes Indifferent to the cause ana
call. No shop gives Up its mechanics;
no field It's ,aborers no store its clerks
20 Office its halfid,e, stalwa,t men.-
WHY?
1t is not for lis to answer, if we could.
1t is not within our power to awaken he
public conscience, though we would But
a time is coming not afar off, when tie
whole world will rightly Judge the conduct
of people who either know not how to
act their part in a struggle like this or lack
the spirit to undertake it.