The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-07-22

first, unprecedented as that was in
this war.
The length of this campaign and the
bitter desperation with which it il CON
tested have no doubt disappointed
many sangline hopes, and it may be
that its resumption may fall harshly
upon the ear Of some who are weary
with the long struggle. But it is des-
pcrate because it is vital; it is hotly
contested because the rebels feel that
there the hand of the government is
laid upon the very life Of the rebellion.
We are at the critical point of this war
of giants, and how shall we fail to find
here a struggle carried to the very
limit of human endurance? This very
raid upon the Potomac marks the des-
perate stage to which affairs have come
AS the main struggle begins again
therefore, the people Of the loyal States
must be prepared to sustain it with
stern and lofty devotion, and to push
on with unblenching confidence for the
great prize which it offers to them who
shall endure the longest
In another part Of this paper viii be
found the official proclamation Of Pres
ident Lincoln for five hundred thou
sand more men. The details of the
/ proclamation Will be read with interest
-as well MS the law providing for en-
/ listing colored men in the rebel States
Each one Of the authorities in every
town has something to do immediate
ly to prevent a draft on the fifth Of
September. Every solectman, every
enlisting and recruiting officer has de-
volved upon him a duty which cannot
be postponed with safety or discharged
by proxy. Those towns will fare best
whose public officers will give early and
diligent attention to the duty which
this call imposes upon them. As
it has been abundantly demonstrated
that this war is no pastime or holiday,
but "A serious and gigantic affair affect
ing the vitality of this Government,
the loyal people will bestir themselves
without delay and rally at once for its
defence. The war is to settle back to
the great issue which has been so long
pending; the most desperate struggle
will be maintained by the rebels, and
( the most resolute efforts must be made
on our side. The government is to be
supplied with money and with men,
for an undertaking which is no less inn
portant and no less critical than it was
last May, when the thought of it
/ thrilled every heart. The end OF the
invasion is the end of an interruption
merely; it is not the accomplishment
of any object. The real work lies be
fore us now as formerly, and it is OF
the last consequence that we should
not yield to the impression that any
exertion can be intermitted, ON the
score of the present safety of the CAPT
tai, -as though it had ever been other
wise than safe.
What we have said is especially true
of the recruiting. The subsiding Of
the recent excitement leaves us still
under this paramount necessity o
sending forward men. The army must
be kept in condition to follow "
, every advantage, to strike heavil,
y whenever it's commander sees the op
. portunity, and to repair instantly ever.
: loss. This is campaign which W.
i cannot afford to starve. 1t must no
be permitted to linger while reinforce
ments are preparing, or to await tn
result of appeals by the government
to the people The country must com
forward, and must keep the needed re
. serves close at hand, and, if necessary
> must be prepared to stimulate the GOV
9 elnment to the prompt support OF on
forces