Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-05-07
For the RErusLrcAs.
The Question. @ -se

:. AAo xuCSSlOus
Shall the American Republic live or die?
That is now the stern, but actual question,
before the American people. They must
deeideit. not by words. but by acts. Shall
we suffer to perish. through supineness,
tieachery. or cowardice, what our fore
fathers purchased with their blood. water
ed with their tears. and baptized in the
waters Of af1iction? Shall the American
people be base enough to fall feeble prey
before psr6dious but active foe? Shall
Constitutional liberty be crushed? Shall
tyrants exult, and despots point in dsris-
len to the boasted republic for verifca-
tion of predictions inspired by their wishes? ?
Shall the last hope of the world expire.
and the grand temple of our American
Republic become colossal mass Of ru-
ins. and proverb of derision? Shall our
children bow their necks to be " illing
slaves of brutal despotism? Shall they
be made the vassals of lords and oligarchs.
aud thus forever be stamped an inferior
race. bearing the shame Of cowardice or
treache.y upon the broad shield of their de-
graded destiny? Answer. ye sons Of IL
lustrious sires. say, shall it? Let your
answers be echoed by the roar Of artillery.
and the flash Of FURNISHED steel. Do not
be startled, dear reader, at these words
This Is no time to mince the matter. or
speak in feeble and uncertain accents
We must rise in our might, or we are un-
donel
/ still feel the strongest confidence that
this rebellion will be crushed. | calculate
on two things; first. the Justice Of our cause.
and second, the Patriotism of the Ameri-
can people. calculate upon the fovor of
God. who will favor people struggling
for the right. on a people who are
willing to do their duty. If am mista-
ken in either Of these assumptions. our
canse is lost. II God be against us we
fight in vain. That he is not against US
we may be well assured. But it is equally
important that we employ the means God
has given for this purpose. God has
favored the Government with superiority
of men and means, over its enemies: out
what good will they do if we do not make
nse Fl them? The present is no ordinary
time. 1t requires the nations utmost re-
sources. and we. the people. must be ready
to meet the demand. Northern soldiers
hare proved their superiority on every bat
tie field, over southern rebels. In Mis-
souri. Kentueky. Tennessee. and Western
Virginia. against overwhelming numbers
the northerners either conquered. held their
own. or compelled the enemy to purchase
victories at fearful price of life and blood.
Let the case be reversed-let superiority Of
numbers be on our side, as they can and
should be. and we shall soon see the last of
the rebellion. But God will not help
those that refuse to help themselves. 1t is
well enough, and of the highest import
ance. to trust in God; but Of equal import
ance ito keep our powder dry" God
works through human instrumentalities;
but when these refuse or neglect 10 do their
duty. they thereby forfeit the claim Of
Gods blessing as certainly as the farmer
that neglects to sow his seed in season for
feits his crop. ...,.si.. ~
II could reach the ear of the Govern
ment. 1 would ask them. why are not
more men in Missouri. Tennessee and yir-
ginia, in and about the cities and ports
along the seacoast? Why not more drill
ing aud preparing to 60? Is it because
you could not arm and equip them fast
enough? Why not drill them awhile
without equipments? Or what is more
likely. don't volunteers come fast enough?
Then in Heavens name why wait for them?
Draft them, draft them! But whether
through volunteering or drafting let us
have half million more men in the field
before month is passed The people un-
dsrstand the issue. and they are willing,
have more prompt, energetic. condolences
inspiring actioni 1ss O. s5af siaeaas. as1
. ese s.' aiai JOHN BERGER.
BnEnEs. April %. 1863. igllesie s i. +.
IA