The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-07
"y,olence the Essence Of War;"

Until within few weeks the peopleo OF the
loyal States have been impressed with the idea
that the Administration was trying to smoth-
or the rebellion with rose water, and had
made up its mind that If any fighting must
be done, it should be deferred until the army
would be supplied with kid gloves. 1t seemed
for long time that those in power utterly
failed 70 comprehend the magnitude OF the
struggle, and had no idea Of the means ro-
quired to determine il.
Impartial history will record it as ver't-
able fact, that for months alter the tall OF
Sumter the people were greatly in advance
Of the leaders. Thepeople of the North and
West were FESTIVE and impatient-they had
sen, their legiOns to the camp, EARNED and
equipped as the law directs" They had re-
sponded to the call for men and money, until
they were informed that no more was need
ed, and they couldn't understand the neces-
sity of that "masterly inactivity" which
seemed to prevail at Washington.
The soldiers. too, were "spoiling for
fight" They had enlisted, as they supposed,
for the sole purpose of meeting the chivalry
ON the battlefield. and were 50 densely stu
pid that they could SEQ no propriety in being
cooped up in camp, with no opportunity OF
doing or dying for the cause in which they
were engaged. Indeed. il seemed at one
time that any display of fighting qualities or
ability to command, or disposition to meet
the enemy, WIS not only prohibited crime
but crime in itself, and fatal to the pos
scssor. The departments seemed to be en-
tirely bound in red tape. The officers Of the
regular army were confident that nothing
could be done without it. IL was regarded
rs the grand panacca for secession and rebel
lion. The truth is, red tape. instead Of
strangling tho Coniederacy, came very near
strangling the national lite Of the Republic.
Murmurs, both loud and deep, were heard
throughout the land. Anxiety for something
to DO done deepened into suspense-suspense
into feeling akin to desperation, and des-
peratiou into agony. Still "all was quiet
along the Potsmac." and forward move
ment was expected in "abOn ten days."
Meanwhile. il was ascertained that rebels
and traitors were employed in the various
departments, and nigcer-catching generals
were held in high estimation. What to do
with the nisgers, and how to carry on the
war without interfering with the slaves Of
the enemy, seemed to Be the question which
must be settled before any attempt at fight
ing could be made.
Men began to suppose that the war was to
DO conducted according to the Revised Stat
utes. And in case our troops should acci.
dentally meet with the enemy, /, WIN, sun
posed that red tape would require IN. com.
mander Of the Federal forces to .,sp . ,eu
paces in front Of his troops, take of hi. can
and say to the enemy, Gentlemen, viii you
have the goodness to Ere"
Il will not be denied that many Of the
troops were Disguised with tho mOnOtouy and
inactivity Of their lives. The enemy, in SUI
perior force, was not half 30 much dreaded
rs the terrible enn1i Of thecamr. The army
of the Potomac has more than once felt like
the poor fellow who was trying to get job,
and ct length came across rich old Quaker