The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-10
"The States Must take Care of Them
SelveS.''

i
seIveS.''
This is what Secretary Stanton is reported
to have said to Gov Curtin. when asked to
do something to protect Pennsylvania against
invasion. Perhaps he did not say it, though
it is evident that he was in one of his irrita-
BILE moods when the governor visited him,
and was likely enough to blurt out any pro
voking thing that came into his head. But
there is at least possibility, as affairs are
now drifting, that the secretary's words may
. become sober matter OF fact. We all hope
that the new leader of the army Of the Po
tomac will prove equal to the difficult work
entrusted to him, and that he will defeat and
destroy the lnsolent invaders, or a least COM
pei their speedy flight But We may as well
contemplate the possibility of the defeat OF
our army, and prepare ourselves 10 meet the
consequences Of SO great a disaster. II it
happens it will prove irretr;evable, if We de
for action until the calamity is upon US
The imperative necessity of the hour is the
immediate arming of all the able bodied men
of the North The entire militia should be
organized, drilled and prepared for active du
ty without an hours delay. We do not say
this TO create a panic or to exaggerate the
perils of the present situation. Bat it is
our manifest duty to prepare for possible re-
verses, and especially for such an exigency
as would occur upon the defeat CT our prin-
cipal army by the enemy upon our own soil.
If that should occur and find US unprcpared
for it, the whole North will be open to devas-
tation before We can rally to the defence of
our homes, and the rebel lenders may fulfil
their threat, made when they began the war
that they would pay their armies and dictate
the terms of peace in Wal! stleet-and in
State street too if they choose.
We are glad to see that Gov. Seymour Of
New York appreciates the necessities Of the
hour, and has not only sent forward troops
promptly to the defense of Pennsylvania, but
is organizing the reserve militia OF New York
foa home defense. Every loyal governor
should follow his example without delay. We
can forgive the dubious patriotism of some
of Gov. Seymour's, words while he demon
strates the soundness Of his LOYALTY by such
deeds. The anti-slavery governors must not
let the copperhead = governors get ahead
of them in patriotic energy and devotion.
If the loyal states had been wise, this mat
ter Of organizing the militia reserves would
have been attended to months ago, indeed at
the beginning nf tn. war If IL HAD kasn
there could have been no rebel INVASION q
the free states, bringing such melancholy loss
and dishonor upon us. Pennsylvania has
population of three millions. This is two
thirds the population of all the seeded
states, and IS equal to the population OF the
seven rebel states on this side the MIsSissip-
pi-all that Davis now really has to rely up
on. 1t is no exaggeration 10 say that II the
militia of Pennsylvania had been organized
and on war 70 oting, that state would now
have a larger army than Lees, ready TO
march upon and ovcrwhclm the invaders
1t is only the neglect of this preparation that
has left her richest valleys exposed TO the
de.olation of an invading army. The fate Of
PENNSYLVANIA warns the other loyal states I.
prepare for the calamity before it falls upon
them. If the national army IS defeated by
Lee then certainly the states must take
care of themselves or perish; and of the
general government too, or the Davis despo
tism will be established over every acre Of
"the late United States" No rhetoric can
add to the horror with which every true
American shrinks back from the contempla-
ton of such possibility, and. the admonition
it brings to every governor, every state otii-
Ger and every citizen is, Arm, and drill the
militia at once in every city, town and VII
lage, and without days delay.-RePWJii-
can.