The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-21
THE NATIONS CALL.

From he Tribune.
President Lincoln has most wisely and pro-
perly called for three hundred thousand men
to finish up the work Of restoring the national
authority over every square mile of the RepuO-
lic Those who affect to be surprised or dsap-
pointed by this call only betray their chagrin at
the now manifest failure Of their reiterated and
confident predictions that the Rebellion never
would, never could be put down Never before,
in twice the time, was such progress made in
the work as during the six weeks that have
elapsed since Mr.. Lncoln's reelection. During
that brief period, Georgia has been traVersed
from Atlanta 10 Savannah by General Sherman,
with hardly show OF resistance, and the Rebel
Army Of the West Tepulsed and fearfuly
decimated at Franklin, has been asSailed
In its intrenchments before Nashville, driven
thereiTOm with vast loss again attacked and
again beaten the next day, and sent flying head
long towards the Tennessee river, q routed,
reckless mob, having lost tfty-tOur out OF sixty
five guns, thousands OF muskets, hundreds OF
wagons three ma jOr- generals and at least half
dOzea rigadiers, with not less than fifteen
thousand of the forty thousand men who filled
its ranks when IL advanced in its pride from
Alabama threatening TO capture Nashville with
all its immense stores, and chastise the remnant
OF its routed defenders out of Tennessee and
across Kentucky % the Ohio. lt is plain that
what is left of Hoods army cannot regain
Alabama or Georgia in half the available strength
II carried thence few weeks ago.
Then why call for more men Because - =
/. The late call for half million produced but
two hundred thousand. Credits demanded by
this or that lOcaty-mOst of all by our own city
cut 1t down nearly half, while large numbers
drafted have skulRed 20 Canada or nearer hiding
places leaving our armies no stronger to. day than
they we're three months ago, as tens Of thousands
have meantime been discharged on the expiration
of their term Of service or by reason Of disability
while some have deserted more are disabled, and
many have given their lives TO their country
Actually, there are not so many men in the
Union armies to-day as there were when the
President issued MS last call for half million.
IL. We want 10 see the last Yesiges of the Re-
belliOn speedily as we'll as surely crushed out
The country has already been too long afflicted
and devastated by IL. IL IL mercy, it is humanity
It is palpabe economy, so 70 I'LL the ranks of our
wasted aUmies that the staggering blows just dealt
TO secession shall be swiftly followed up and re-
peated until the breath is fairly beaten out Of its
body. Had the last call been truly hlled no fur
ther call would ever have been necessary. Let
this DO so filed that the Rebellion shall not out
last the VeTnal season Of 1860
III Ii has been the habit of the Opposition
journals to add up the various calls, and present
the aggregate as the number who have actually
swelled the Union ranks, when 1t is notorious
that nothing like that numberwas ever obtained
even for few months. Many OF those who have
really served are counted thrice in this way first,
as thTee-months' mem then as nine-mOnths'
men; q third time as newly enlisted under one OF
the late calls. Probably half the number called
would equal the whole number who have aclu-
ally seen service.
that volunteering is preferable 90 drafting. The
criticism is purely factious, Each State, each
county, each township, Is a. perfect liberty and
Is accorded all reasonable lime 30 MI It's quota by
volunteering No one wishes or contemplates a
draft where volunteers can be had IL is only In
case volunteers are not forthcoming that drafting
is 10 take place. The President and all about
him will rejoice 20 learn that drafting Is noWAsf