The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-08-19


ia his ewn hlood. sprh Is perady and
treason wherever you hnd ii, as We
have abuHdan, occasion 10 know
Our enemies fiaun, false prclenscs Cor
the var, fight with stolen weapons,
and under masked batteries They
hang up false colors 10 deceive they
take the oath Of allegiance by day,
and then aes as spies and assassins A
night; they poison food and wells Of
water; conceal deadly missiles in de-
serted camps carry on murderous
guerilla warfare, pcrpetrating unhenrd
Of atrocities on the wounded and dead
and dying, leaving desolsiion and toe
all along their fighting track. This
is one side Of the dreadful picture.
And we know the history Of the 9th
CIR. There was no braver or more
generous foe in ancient time than the
incorruptible Joab, that peerless war
rior in the army of David. Some
have denounced him rs cruel, inhu-
man and treaeherous; but when we
take into account the warlike time in
which he lived, the military education
be rec iyed, the treachery and duplie-
iv viii which he had to contend, his
+ to ihe throne and government
3Nid, and his responsibility, as
chiei commander in the army, for the
punishment of treason and other ma
iionsl crimes, we cannot but regard
him as a man Of unparalleled virtue,
and as model military commander.
He knew no such thing as fear, as
perturbation or rashness. He never
gave a challenge, nor refused one when
given. He never asked for quarter,
nor denied il when asked. He fought
as true soldier, trusting in God and
and in his appointed warfare. lie
practised no inhumanities TO render
his warfare more formidable and ef-
fective. And so il has been in our
present struggle. Our armies are ac-
tuated by high and noble spirit.
They are fighting not for passion nor
revenge, but to maintain the great
principles that underlie all human
governments, and which are indispen-
sably requisite for their existence and
safety. In prosecuting their work,
though it be a work Of death, they
harbor no hostile spirit toward the
South, and will commit no ravagcs
and interfere with no rights but such
as military necessity both justifes
and demands. They 60 forth as
friends and protectors, TO re-establish
peace and order, TO restore TO the loyal
their plundered rights, and to plant
again the national flag on every fort
and tower from which traitor hands
have torn it. Their mission is one of
mercy; but when necessary, judgment
will be meted out TO the wicked with
scrupulous exactness. There has new
er been an army called into the field
embracing larger amount Of social
position, of high moral culture, Of true
elevation Of character, and possessing
more noble soldierly qualities than
ours. And while by their moral bear
ing our soldiers have won imperisha-
ble honor, they have also achieved
some Of the most brilliant victories,
both by land and by sea, that have ev-
er been recorded. Whatever may be
our conflicting views as to the wisdom
Of our rulers, and the general conduct
of tho war, there can be but one opin-
ION as to the bravery and fidelity Of
the patriot martyrs who have met the
enemy under most dsadvantageous
circumstances, and who under mur-
derous and Calling fire Of grape and
canister, have never once blanched at
the fate that awaited them. We have
an army Of the true Joab stamp, who
fear nothing but God and their coun-
try's dishonor. They may be over
| powered and killed, but can never be
conquered heroes worthy Of their
ancestral renown, whose names should
be chronicled in history, engraven on
marble tablets, and immortalized in
song.
9th. We find also this striking par
sllel, that more distinguished con
sideralion has been shown to enemies,
and a more ready forgiveness has
been rendered to rebels than the laws
Of humanity or Of national safety have
warranted. Treason is universally re-
garded as the highest crime known in
human Jurisprudence. Leading trai-
tors have everywhere been branded