The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-01-14
From the N. Y. Herald, Dec. %
81 Repeat IL, Sir. We Must Fight'

A happy issue out Of our complications
foreign as we'll as domestic, is to be found in
only ono way tho path Of safety, honor,
and confidence lies through bloody fields, en-
veloped in the thunder.cl uds Of battle.
We will 60 into question Of military STRAIT
egy such questions belong to the Command
er-in.chief. We do not presume to say what
particular blows should be struck nor where
they should fall first and heaviest; but that
the clash of arms should Immediately be
heard; that the rebels should forthwith be
met, rot in desultory skirmshes, but in des-
perately fought general engagements, is a
truth that challenges our recognition on which
ever side We turn our eyes. In this hour,
which is too solemn for pleasant selfdelusiou !;
in this crisis, which is to grave for smooth
lopgued complaisance toward persons in or
out Of authority, she truth must be boldly
spoken. For The first timo ;inee zoe became
a nation the bitter cup of national humilia-
ton is presented to our lips, and De are com
PEELED to deliberate as TO whsther zoe shall
taste IL. We experience, for the first time,
an intermission of that proud conciousnes' of
national strength which has heretofore made
us superior to tho dictates Of an inbecle pru-
dence aud free to regulate our bearing toward
foreign powers without reference to any other
consideration than our sense Of i'nmutsble
justice and national honor We are thus Grip
pied and humble because rebel hosts. mum
bered by the hundred THOUSAND, stand in
arms against US and bid US defiance, and we
have not yet succeeded in subduing them. -
Foreign powers have temporarily ceasod to 70
spect our strength The only we can recover
our former consideration abroad is by re.os.
tsblishing our disputed authority at home.
We must not have war with England, for
we need all our resources, financial and mill
tary, to cope with the gigantic rebellion. We
cannot afford TO have our blockade raised and
the Southern ports opened to the importation
of munitions of war from foreign countries.
We cannot afford to lot the rebels have the
pecuniary resources which would accrue 10
them from the sale Of their crops Of cotton
and tobacco. We cannot afford the destruc
tion of our commerce and reversal Of the
relative commercial positions-our chief ad-
vantage over the rebels.
We are to much at the mercy Of foreign
powers to maintain that high national bearing
which has hitherto enabled our humblost citi
zens to exult with honest pride to their con
scsusuess Of the dignity, grandeur, and in.
vincibiity Of thor country-a consciousness
desrer TO millions Of them than the vital air
they breathe, and for the full recovery of
which they would cheerfuly lay down their
Ives. Tho present difficulty with England
will very likely be settled; but the unexpected
rise and formidable aspect, and the oveibear-
ing and arrogant temper which has been ex-
hibited towards, US demonstrate the precar-
ious footing on which We stand with foreign
powers, and admonish us to make speedy
work with the rebellion which exposes US to
snch sudden dangers and possible humiliation.
1t behooves us 10 tight to the death while for.
tune presents the handle of ths sword TO our
grasp, and before she turns TO US its tlade;-
while we have the clear advantages OF the
blockade, the conversion Of the great staples
of the South into dead property, and the non
intervention Of the foreign powers who are
watching the progress Of the war with uneasy
interest and no friendly spirit. IL behooves
us to attempt all that brave men may dare;
TO shrink from no baptism Of blood that may
DO required as the symbol Of national regen
GRAFTON.