, 1862-08-16

Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Trihune
CAMP NEAR CoA1NrH, Miss L

CAMP NEAR CoRINTH, Miss Z
august II, 1864 !
When the present rebellion commenced, and |
the loyal masses Of our fellow citizens first |
rallied to the defense OF our institutions
against the assaults Of rcd handed treason, but
few OF them had the sagacity TO discern the |
point into which the Har current would drift
them
Thousands Of our best men both In the
army, and throughout the country, candidly
supposed, that the settlement Of the difficulty
would leave the organization and aspect Of
American society unchanged. There was,
however. an inconeiderable number who had
q correct view OF the nature Of the struggle;
8to perceived that It was life and death
trial Of strength between two antagonistic
forcee, and that the struggle would not cease.
but with the destruction Of one or the other
Of these two forces. Gould the loyal people
Of tha country have perceived and appreciated
this truth twelve months ago, thousands Of
precious lives and millions Of treasure wonld
haye been saved. while untold wretchedness
and agony would have been avoided. Most
unbappi]y, our people were entang1ed in the
meshes Of stupid conservatism, actually
seeming to court delusion in matter Of the
utmost importance.
And they succeeded most admirably in tho
work Of Decentralization, having but recently
aroke to the contemplation Of the truth Of
the homely old adage, that " experience keeps
dear school," Their tuition bill in that
school has been one Of appalling magnitude.
But thank God, they are awake.
| ~. lid; 1F 9Art oTyrrornf
throughout the loyal parts Of the country.
and particularly In the army, arc most cheer
Ing. An unscrupulous and powerful enemy
has throttled our government, with deter
mination never to relax tho murderous grasE
but with the extinction Of vitality. The peo
pie and the army NOW contemplate this mat,
be concentrated in telling blows against ths
life of that enemy. Having been in the ser
vice a. chaplain Of the 7th regimentIl1inois in.
fantry ever since its organization in April 1861
and having somewhat extended acquaintance
with both officers and men of other regiments
my opportunities Of witnessing the sa1utaT.
changes Of sentiment upon the part OF arm!
men, in regard to the War policy now imperf
ously demanded by the necessities Of th,
| country, have not been inconsiderable. Sucf
expressions as our deluded brethren Of the South
and such declarations IS the uar nas produce
! b. the fanatician Of the North, are rapidly be
coming obsolote. The resi- enemy of on
peace stands unmasked before them, and the,
1 are actuated by IN unWaVering determination
! to crush his subtle and malignant power
Confscation has become Bweet sonndin!
, word, even to some who, twelve months ago
, would have sbuddered at its bare utteraace
i Indeed, 1t ia almost Infinitely refreshing t.
contemplate the plscidity with which th
Q nervous systems OF some will endure touche
and Impressions, which. but recently, woul
/ T0Cn ranSpd 4h0Ep EPlf,EaTnA Ecafaf14 RI fhtY
!, with pain Throughout all parta Of their compl
: Gated machinery.
The world moves. American conservatism
. is agitafed to Its profoundest depths; an
r God only knows What results may be locke
e for. He is now working; and with deferer
Il ! tial awe, let Us ponder the impress Of b
power, wisdom and Justice upon events no
>. rapidly transpiriug. Should the tendency (
# these results be towards the reformator
cbastisemeut OF our proud and refracto,
"a ate the moral Of the terrible drama now bei1
:, enacted In our presence. And should II
- drift Of these matters even be towards the +
II dressing Of the grievances OF a feeble aud de
s. pissed race, whose very humanity we have /!
n nored, let us not permit our sensitive spiri
- to chate and fret al the contemplation.
as Whatever animus may have actuated O.
e government and people to q change OF poll
| towards the Blaves Of the country, need n
here be made 8 matter Of strict inquiry. o.
81 l IL EG4k A4G5E 64Af64 AatC AE
~ proved to be an element Of vast power in t
: struggle: which element Of power, mus
n | with tremendous, il not fatal effect, be el
l., p1oyed by one party or the other. Impel
n. By the Instincts Of REPRESENTATION, our 60
- elnment has determined to appropriate Il
Al power to its own use.
THUS hos an ove1ru1ing Providence COZ
PEELED all classes Of the American people
+ acknowledge the importance Of the Affica
la and the necessity OF employing his rude
$,4 4A51 a. S,,-v. 1 1FA
Us cause. God. in the workings Of bis pro
70, dence, is q mighty reasoner.
ze While the earthquake shocks Of this reb
lion were following each other in rapid 81
cession, and, with fearful violence, alms
,le ag staRgifsing gnsa.p onr people =, with terror
ng Of American society, has sho IN us the wol
i'll ings Of Divine Justice in elevating to pro
lev inence the weak and the despfsed, and u
=. plainly suggested the importance Of work.
'ne with the God Of providence, five sholld CO
pass the accomplishment Of our object.
the rebels have un1est1ained use Of th
Ter slaves, we shall hardly subdue them. It
DO0 use those s1aves as best We may, our succ
w. will be almost fnfa1lsbly certain Our 6
la eminent, our people and our army nov f1
ing the affair according to the dictates OF b.
duty and interest. But who can doubt, t
the future Status Of the slAYe8 will be tha,
500 freemen. After having accom- p1ished the
/ pDitAAb p81k III ZIG EfLSaEEAeut Oh LaGe F1D6u
es1 which they are destined to do, It would
the the sheerest folly to suppose that they
liar ever again become the passive and despi
chattels that they have been. .Ha who fa1c
that such an inundation as this rebellion
proven to be, can pass away without sle
i q Ing traces Of It's terrific power In
Ion washing away Of various old landmarks,
sick in the generally changed appearance of
mi surfac, so long and 50 deeply submerg
lay. ton. He Internally denies efficacy to nj
causes; thus perpetuating as grea: blum
70 as could be done by despising the forces OF
led. ! ma, erisl universe.
two The country is In q transitive state. LIE
~, bope and pray that the change may pa for
'eo- better. It Is leaving burdens and incur
eacrifces Of wonderous weight and ext
May that beloved country successfully
!, In the e1haustfng tests, now being applied 8
rthe power of endurance; and may its won
linn fully rscnpeEative energies speedily enaol
-, stand up in the possession aud benlhcent
It'll ployme1t Of all Its former gigor.