The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-18

are told that we have more men than we can
use; tomorrow, the governors arc reused by
importune kilograms to send the whole state
militia to save the capital as soon as the
men begin to pour in, back comes another
message, that they are not wanted and yet,
at that very time, one army lies before Rich.
mond, outnumbered nearly two to one; an
other, guided by the genius of that true mil
itary soul, Fremont-an army inferior to
Jackson's -unfed, shoeless, ragged and, at
ter four months of beseeching, still without
adequate transportation another, hanging
in suspense before Fredericksburg, too weak
to 60 forward, too strong to lie useless. AT
this crisis-with our armies broken up and
FILTERED away, and our government making
brigadicr- generals by the score, of men with
out skill, and super seeding the generals who
had shown resources and energy, because
they feared their political future-at this
time, came the thunderstroke upon McClel-
Ian. An avalanche fell upon his right wing.
Rolled up and driven back for seven days,
that heroic army, invincibe in retreat,
fought with grandeur OF courage, and only
by such an exhibition Of heroic spirit in Off
GERS. anC pluck in men, as was never known
on this continent, was it saved from utter
destruction. Did the government frankly
say to this nation we are defeated? TO thi,
hour it has not trusted the people. 1t held
back the news for days. Nor was the truth
honestly told, when outside information COM
PEELED it to say something. 1t is even to
this hour permitting McClcan's disaster to
be represented us a piece of skilfully plan
ned strategy. After tie labor of two
months the horrible sickness of thousands
Of men poisoned in the swamps of the Chick
ahominy, the loss Of probably more than ten
thousand as noble fellows as ever lifted a
hand to defend their country,-McClellan,
who was four miles from Richmond, finds
himself twenty-five miles from the city, way
onS burned, ammunition trains blown up,
parks OF artillery captured no intrenchments
and with an army so small that it is not pre-
tended that he can reach Richmond. The
public are infatuated. The papers that re-
called us two weeks ago with visions of a
Fourth of July in Richmond, are now asking
us to rejoice and acclaini-not at victory
but that we have just saved the army. Nc
Clellan is safe and Richmond too.
The government, upon this disaster, pro-
CURES tHt governors Oh Tue States W USh u W
call for 100000 more men. Why did not
the president take the responsbility-pain-
ly confess our dsaster-say that we were
within hand-breadth of ruin-thrown him
self on the people, No. The people pay
taxes-give their sons and brothers-but
that is all. We are sick and weary of this
conduct. We have sacred cause, il noble
army, good officers, and a heroic common
people. But we are like to be ruined by an
administration that will not tell the truth );
that spends precious time in playing at pres
ident making; that is cutting and shutting
the cards for the next great political cam
paign!
Unless good men awake-unless the &C
cursed silence is broken that has fallen on
the peope-unless the government is held
sternly to its responsibility to the people
We shall daily through the summer, make
brgadier-generals until autumn, build huge
intrenchments, but fight no battles till they
are forced upon US, and then we shall be
called upon to celebrate our defeats or re-
treats as mastery stratsgies.
We have country. We have cause
We have people. Let all good men pray
that God would give US government.