Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-11
speech of senator Fessenden.


Mr.. FEssENDEN of Maine, (Rep )-This
bill, sir, is thought to be an object of necessi-
ty, and is designed, as l understand it-and
we may as well tell the truth about it, for we
have nothing to conceal hereto meet any
possible contingency which may be supposed
to arise from any difficulty in raising troops
by enlistment at once, as soon as they may be
required; and, therefore, it is proposed to
give the president power to call out the mill
tia, and to call on all loyal persons, without
distinction of color, for such time as to
make their services available. That is the
position, and, sir, am in favor of this bill, if
it is thought advisable by the committee on
military affairs to pass it. l don't know, sir,
but it may be necessary to go a step further,
and to provide specifically for calling out
by drafting. And [ am ready to do that if it
is thought advisable. 1t is not advisable at
this moment but as congress is to adjourn
very soon, understand that by this bill it is
proposed to meet any contingency that may
arise during the adjournment of congress,
and as such, think it a wise and precaution-
AIRY measure.
But sir, it may be worth while to inquire
why this contingency is possible, and we may
as well look the matter in the face. 1t is be-
cause apprehensions are entertained that
there will not be that readiness to enlist that
there was heretofore, and am perfectly will
ing to state here, that in my own state, there
is not that readiness to enlist. There is not
that enthusiasm with regard to enlstments.
Have they lost any interest in the war? Not
particle. Have they lost anything of that
determination which existed formerly to do
anything and everything which may be neces-
sary to put down this rebellion? Not at all.
Not in any shape or form. But they do feel,
| sir, that the war must be conducted upon some
different principles than those upon which it
has been conducted hitherto; that is to say,
there should not be, on the part OF the mill
tary authorities of the country that extreme
tenderness and delicacy toward men who
have no tenderness to us except that of the
wolf toward the lamb; but they should be
met, if not in the same spirit, yet in a spirit
able to resist and conquer them. Sir, our
soldiers do not like it, and they do not feel
easy when they are called upon, without any
necessity, to stand guard over the enemys
property and protect it, while they are fight
| ing against us, and be shot down by conceal
ed traitors while they are doing this. They
do not feel that it is just to them that they,
who have volunteered to fight the battles of
their country, should be employed to dig
bitches and throw up entertainments, exposed
to all the miserable consequences of such a
| sort of life about the swamps OF the Chlcka-
hominy or elsewhere, while at the same time
| there are numbers and abundance of men ac-
climated, who are ready to volunteer their
services to do the same work and thus save
our soldiers.
Now, sir, speak this as a truth which is
well understood, and the government of the
| United States and the military authorities of
the United States may as well understand that
if this policy is to be followed, and we are not
to avail ourselves Of the services of men who
are too ready to render all these services, out
of tenderness to rebels, and traitors, and MUIR
derers, that the people will hesitate to come
forward until they know and feel that they are
no longer to be exposed to that kind of life.
Sir why is it so3 Why are we so tender to-
ward these traitors? What makes some gen.
tlemen so sensitive the moment we speak Of
employing negroes and the slaves OF rebels in
the service Of the countryH Men who profess