Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-08-25
THE CRISIS AND ITS
- DEMANDS.
By PRIVATE N. z. SCOTT.

IvrHE 10th RfeIxxKr oHlo VoLuSrEEE 1T'r
War is the order of the day The
whole country, without distinction OF
age or condition. is affected by il,
and to some extent engaged in it,
Some do more and suffer more than
others. None are war OCCASIONS
The war is general; it is more than
that-it is universal. 1t has become
the all engrossing subject of thought
and conversation, causing other top
les to be forgotten. other interests
to be neglected. and other pursuits
to be abandoned. Every eve Is
strained TO watch the progress Of the
war,serery mind is kept eager to
learn its fortunes and turns; and
every heart trelnbles and aches to
know where next its heavy scourge
will fall From e. cry quarter comes
the cry. sTo arms!"-everV where it
is uoy! Hori
= T. is state of affairs deserves the
most serious consideration. These
vast armies have not been called in. o
the field for nothing. Principles of
the greatest value are at stake. The
contest is full Of results for veal or
wo, that will extend to the latest gen.
Grafton. No wise man, no true friend
of his country, can be Indifferent to
the issues of this war. Every one
should have a true idea of the con-
dition in which we are placed, of the
nature and drift of the power arrayed
against us; and of the task to be
performed.
WHO can estimate the weight and
depth of this great question of ma
tional life? Who can contemplate is
full meaning without sinking beneath
the pressure2 Never before was Q
nation suddenly and unexpectedly
called upon to decide so great and
important q question. The interests
involved in this contest are without
parallel In the annals of the world. We
wonder at the vast array of men on
both sides. at the determination and
energy which both parties have ex-
hibited, at the sacrifices and priva-
tions which they have endured, and
are still willing to endure, and yet all
these things cannot give us correct
idea of the vast interests at stake.
What has been and what is, our
condition? Less than a century age
we took place among the nations.
Our government was founded on the
principles Of Liberty and Equality
and had for its object the mainten-
ance of the right of its citizens
Under the blessing of heaven we
grew and fourished as no nation had
ever done before. There was har-
mony and prosperity in every part OF
the country,-almost enerv ating
harmony and corrupti1g prosperity.
Our fields brought forth abundant
harvests. Every department OF
industry found room for its spread
and growth; and the products OF
skill; ana enterprise; and Labor, filed
the land to overflowing. We pointed
to our schools and churches, to the
intelligence and enterprise of the
people, to the rapid development of
our agricultural, manufacturing and
commercial interests, to our ackno&-
ledgment of human rights and
obligations. and our protection of
civil and religious liberty, and with
pride and joy we looked upon our ex-
pertinent as complete succeas.
But this question is yet to be
decided. The nation is struggling
to preserve its life. The sword of
treason has been drawn, and we
must onquer or die. Can there be
any doubt about the nature If the
conflict Let us not grope in the
dark, unmindful of our condition and
obligations. The stability and in
tegrity of the government are put to
the severest test. The principles
and institutions which we have so
long cherished are violently assailed.
The question If free government is
to be decided. Liberty is on trial
These are the grand issues which
present themselves before us. Do
we know what Disunion would be,
the course it would take, or where it
Nould end? There could be no such
thing as peaceful or honorable disun-
ion. The separation of so great a
nation into any number of parts
must necessarily be a work of vio-
lence. We are by nature united. and
the long time we have live d together
has increased the force of our nation.
Our geographical relations forbid
any suitable line of division. The
industrial pursuits of the whole
country require the same govern
mental influence and support. Our
agricultural, manufacturing and com
mercial enterprises, are so complica
ted and extensive as to require the
whole country for their operations.
Added to all these considerations,
we are one people. We have lived
unCer the same government, and fell
the influence of the same institutions
Our history is the same. Tht
causes which led our fathers to tn,
formation of a Union and common
government still exist, and time ha
greatly added to their force. w
have increased in wealth and populs
ton; our interests and occupation
have multiplied, and fields ,fo
activity and enterprise have opene
without number. The harmoniou
workings and benefcent operation