Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-07-14
stand Fast.


1t has happened to contending ar.
mics that in climax Of aterrible struggle Q
regiment. q company, n squad, OF brave
mnn, bravoly led, has turned the fate Of the
day and given victory to its colors 1t has
happened that the vanquished, reviewing
the circumstances Of the contest afterwards.
in the light OF facts not known to them ut
the time, perceived that slight effort, q
little stouter4 endurance, another blow, q
charge Of handful Of troops, would have
sufhced to save the day, and make victory
Of that which, for lack Of it, became defeat.
War searches the heart and tries the mus
Gle and temper Of q people; and in the last
hour Of great and desperate struggle it il
not the momentum Of grand army corps,
but tho individual valor Of the soldiers,
which seixes and holds victory.
II 10 we'll for us to remember these truths
in the present weighty hour, when We ap'
proach the last scenes of great war. II
We are men, worthy Of the name and liberty
Of Americans, ourconduct in the latter days,
and in these most severe trials which are
before us, will secure US the victory, But
if any ono expects that the contest will be
decided without further efforts OF the na-
tion-if any individual in this country thinks
victory possible without help from all q
grave mistake Ii made. In the next three
or six months We shall be tried TO the utter
most, and In every possible way; the death
grapple Of the foo will shake the whole
country, and il will need every quality of
which Americans have boasted. to preserve
our own homes and our institutions from
the common ruin In which pirate-like they
strive to overwhelm us with themselves.
Therefore we say to every loyal and true
American, in these days--Stand fast, pre-
pare for all emergencios-for war op the
border, for service in the field, for battle at
home 10 our own streets. Prepare your
mind sgainst false reports, against ingenious
and malicious misrepresentation, against
all the internal stratagems in which the
spies aud friends Of rebellion in the loyal
States abound. Prepare to put down every
attempt at unlawful opposition; nor be dis
mayed to fnd enemies at home as well as in
the South. .,
We have an immense advantage over the
rebels--they are at the end OF their rcsour-
css Of men; their armies can mover be re-
plenished; thoy will never again be able to
oppose 10 us so large force as they brought
into the field two months ago. But they
will work with other means than their
armies: and il We think that Grant and
Sherman suffice TO close the war, ii we sit
down and leave all to the troops now in the
field, il We neglect not only to reinforce the
armies, but also to prepare for defence at
homo, aud thus make ready 10 meet the
enemy wherever or In whatever shape he
may show himself, We may In the very mo.
ment Of victory DO suddenly defeated. For
this monster oil rebellion will not die easily.
Two months ago we printed 10 this column
q letter OF warning, writtAa by q gentle-
man then in the South, aud we'll acquainted
with the resources and condition OF the 70.
bols at that time. He wrote
Are you awake 70 the present situation
OF the rebels? They were never so strong.
! nsEsrso hopeful. never 70 determined q