The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-07-19
Proclamation Of Governor Yates.

Under a late requisltion of the Presi-
dent. l am called upon to furnish, at the
earliest practical period, nine regiments of
infantry, for the three years service, being
a part of the quota of the State under the
call of the President for three hundred
thousand men. An order of Adjutant
General Fuller. this day published, will
give the details IS to the mode Of raising
the troops, subsistence, transportation,
places of randezyous, &c.
The war has now arrived at the most
cr;tial point. series of splendid sue
cesses has crowned our arms The enemy
has been driven from Tennessee, Missouri
and Kentucky, from Arkansas, LOUISIANA
and TeXas,a from the sea coast at almost
all points. The Mississippi has been
opened from Cairo to the Gulf The Po-
tomac has been opened from Washington
to the Chesapeake. Beaten, broken, de-
moralized, bankrupt and scattered, the
enemy has fled before our victorious
iegions, leaving Us a large area of conquer
ed territory, and almost innumerable posts
III the eneIny's country to garrison with
our troops. But the rebels, whose leaders
are bold and sagacious and with whom
the fate Of the rebellion is how neck or
nothing, have, with the energy of despe-
ration, resolved TO cast all upon the hazard
other point they have, by the evacuation
of Corinth, and by the rapid concentration
of their scattered forces at Richmond,
brought together a great aud powerful
army, far superior in numbers to that of
our own at the same point. With con-
summate skill and generalship they have
planned SO as not only to defend their
own capital, but also, should they be sue
cessful in driving hack Mcclellan, TO take
ours and raise the rebel flag upon the
capitol at Washington, with the expecta-
ton that so great a conquest would reani-
mate the South, revive their fading fortu-
mes, and secure them the immediate co.
operation Of the two great powers of
Europe-England and FLance
| This is their last great stake. The des-
peration with which they fought has de-
veloped the depth, intensity and reckless
ness of their designes. Their mode Of
warfare is the most malignant desperate
and savage. Thus we are brought TO tie
very crisis Of the rebellion, and all our
hopes, and the hopes OF this great country,
| hang upon the issue.
1t is for this reason that the President
telegraphs NE in private dispatch Time
/ is everything. Please act in view Of this
| lllinoisans In view of the crisis, when
the battles soon 10 be Tough. will be deci.
! SiSt. !ltH lut foreign powers
Is not only sought but confidently relied
upon by the rebels, and when our own
! brave volunteers con'ending against I'M
| eaqual numbers stretch out their hands
tor help, can not doubt the response YOU
VIII gre. Indeed | am most happy 10
! state that IN response TO most active meas
ures already taken, every mail brings me
the glad tidings of the rapid enrolment of
our volunteers in the nine regiments
which are forming.
Covered all over with glory. with name
| honored throughout the earth--shinning
with the iu,tre Of the great achievements
of her sons on almost every field, Illinois
will not now hold back and tarnsh the
fame she has SO molly earned To the
timid who suppose that the State will not
now respond, say take courage" They
vastly underrate the patriotism and cour-
age of the men of Illinois But / repeat
time is evrything. Defeat now would
prolong the war for years. Alsoremember
that every argument Of public necessity,
| of patriotism, every emotion of humatity
appeals to the people to. turn out in over
whelming demonstration, so that the
rebellion may be speedily crushed and an
end put to this de olatins war 2emem-
Der the words or Douglas, that the short
est road to peace is the most stupendous
preparation lOr war.
| Your all is at stake. The crisis is such
that every man must feel that the success
of our cause depends upon himself. and
not upon his neighbor Whatever his
position, his wealth, his rank or condition.
he must be ready to devote all to the
service OF his country. Let all. old and
young, contribute, work, speak and in
every possible mode further the work of
the speady enrolment Of our forces. Let
not only every man but every woman be |
soldier, if not to fight, yet to cheer and |
encourage and to proved comforts and |
relief for the sick and wounded. The |
public as yet knows but little how much |
the country is INDEBTED to the noble |
women OF our State for their assistance to
our soldiers, in the field All. along the |
path Of our army, upon the banks Of our |
rivers, filing our STEAMBOATS, and ambu-
lances, in the tent of the soldier far from |
his home, / have witnessed the bright |
traces of woman's endearing love and
benevolence. When the war shall have
closed, and Its history shall be written, the
labors of our Sanitary Associations and
Aid Societies will present pages as bright
as the loftiest heroism of the camp and
field. Let all loyal men and women per-
severe in the good work.
Illinoisians! Look at the issue and do
not falter Your all is at stake What
are your beautiful prairies, comfortable
mansions, and rich harvests What is
even life worth if your Government is lost
Better that the desolation of pestilence
and famine should sweep over the State
than the glorious work Of our fathers
should now forever fail. Look out upon
your country with Government 80 free,
institutions so noble boundaries SO broad
"a beautiful sisterhood of States so pros.
porous and happy, and resolve afresh that
as your fathers gave it you, you will hand
it down to your children, glorious inheri.
tanceof libe rty and union for their enjoy
ment forever. For seven long years our
fathers endured, suffered and fought to
build up the fair fabric Of American free
dom. The precious boon purchased by
patriotic blood and treasure was commit
ted to US fof enjoyment, and to be trans
nitted to our prsterity with the solemn
injunction that man has the power to Law
on man. By the grace of God, we will be
faithful to the trustl And if it need be,
for seven years to come we will struggle
to maintain aperfect Union, government
of one people, in one nation undee one
Constitution
The coming of the brave boys of Illinois
will be hailed on the bank of the Potomac i
and James river with shouts of welcome :
During my recent visit East, felt nv
baat leep with exultant delight at the
draise of Illinois heard from every lip :
Y GU will be hailed as the brothers of the \
men who have freed the storm of battle
and seriously triumphed at Danelson. r
Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and memorable eelds' b
Go then, and doubt not the result. We
aae shure to triumph. The God of liberty, q
ustice and humanity is on our side )
Your all and your ..children's all-all