The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-09-01

VIC toilc together because IL does our
and neighbors and friends good to hear us recitc
the scenes and incidents of war times" Because
1t helps to teach the rising generation the sfeinr
duties Of patriotism. Their fathers fnched not in
the day OF trial, 50 must not they. Because by II
we are brought neares to each other in love ana
affection, the tic, that bind us are thus strength
encd, new acquaintance formed, and we go home
strong and better fitted for the work OF dairy
| life
The experience of the citizen, soldier and sail
or are more comprehensive than the lie or ei-
pcrience Of other persons. Their experiences
range from the highest, Most delicate and sacred
of the sentiments down through the passions and
up through the exercise OF the manly pow
crs into the regions Of intellectual achievement,
thus compromising the whole range OF human
activity and effort
At home from his youth he has fought the bat
tie of life, either at the pillow or in the forum, at
the anvil or in the counting-room at the carpen-
tcr's bench or in the artists studio, with the
spade and shovel or behind the counter, each in
his own peculiar calling, exercising the nobili-
ties OF his nature and perfecting himself III the
means of livelihood, the development OF full,
rounded character, and the fitting of himself for
a higher and better sphere. And again, while
thus at home, surrounded by family and friends,
the other side of the nature is exercised ana de-
| vclOpcd, his heart is expanded and his humanity
filled and softened by the small, sweet courcsics
of his domestic and social circles. So when the
dark day comes it finds him fun OF health and
manly yigor, ready to shoulder the musket, or
| buckle ON the revolver, sabre and carblne, or
with intellectual culture and a mind stored with
knowledge and n thorough discipline of self,
ready either for the muskct and sabre or the
lighter sword of command.
At his country's call he hastens to the place OF
rendezvous or enlistment, thus equipped, carry
! ing with him away in the inner temple of his
heart the image Of Il t;dhcr whose race is almost
run, whose last battle is near ut hand, yet who
| bravcly, with falling tear, breathing II prayer to
heaven for protection and guidance, gives up the
work of his life, his noble, loving son. 1t may be
to be sacrificed on the altar of his country OF a
mother, whose love bore him into existence, whose
heart has throbbcd with quick emotion at every
act and word Of her darling boy, from his birth
through the cradle and boyish pranks To man
hood, and whose mothers love could not yield
her boy, clung to him to the last, and then has
tened TO her closet and offered a fervcnt prayer
to the Good Father to bring her boy back aH't-
OnIy dljrc-shc could not see him dcdd OF Il SISTER,
who has been his constant companion and knelt
with him ut the same altar
| Perhaps the image of a lady-lovc has Just been
| introduced into that inner temple, fresh and
bright and pure, clustered about with pledges OF
constant fidelity, love and TRUTH and promises to
win an honorable name, gain the applause OF his
comrades and the confidence of his country, and
return and make them all, with himself hers
forever OF a 1cJt, who has Travelled with him
through years of toll with her babies clnging tC
her. hardly cOmprehcnding the significance OF
the scene, tries bravely to give up her very life
to her country, sinks away in flood OF grief al
| his departure.
One or more of these are constantly by him tC
restrain him from the indulgence Of the basel
passions, and give courage in every trying hour
with the originals at home anxious for the per
petuty of their country and the safe return OF
their citizen soldier and sailor to their homes anC
hearts.
Thus clothed about and with patriotism spring
in, in, snu1 and Loved ullnrVinp hin
from the ''rc in the rear" he cnsts for three
wears or during the war; And now is brought
Into rcquistion his intellectual powers his ami
nal passions, love of country, and thoughts o.
and heart yeanings for those at home.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Tho
volunteer forces that noticed during the late
rebellion was their tendency and constant prac
ticc of iadiri'o@ fghting, many men and some
regiments would apparently fight as well Wlth
out as with officers, Many time have / seen
the gallant men of the old 4th III. cavalry fght
effectively each on his own hook, taking advan
Itagc of the topography of the ground as skillful
Ilv as though directed by the most competent en-
gncer and this was the fact generally among Tho
Volunteer forces, the citi7W S0'6i0S dd So}O,S
This could not have been SO had they not brought
into action all the qualities OF their natures, al
| of their powers of mind, body and soul-thc sen
ltmcnts the passions and the intellect The reg
Iular soldiers march to the battle in solid phaanN
hcp,Sc that is the orj,r, the citizen soldier and
sailor does the same thing because it Is to save
his country, and in remembrance Of the dear ones
at home lis duties and his responsibilities. Tho
Irregular soldier on the skirmish line or in the line
of battle moves, loads and fires by order aud be
cause II is the order while the citizen soldier, in
1.-The exercise Of all his individual faculty, looks
himself to the opportunities of destruction OF the
enemy as well is self-prescTation Had this
mot been So the war would indeed have been Il
Ifuilurc-onc mob fighting another Ii was the
ability forttude and faithfUlncss of the rank and
file of the volunteer forces that crowned our arms
with victory and saved our country, This Is moi
said to the disparagcmcHt OF the volunteer OH
Gers for had they all been NapOeOns they could
not have prevented their men from siezhlg every
advantage the instant it presented Itself without
waiting oJvl,lY. The regular soldier contents
himself with performing the duties imposed By
1.-The regulations and the orders Of his oiiccrs.
The boys in blue had an object toGccomplish,
lnOt merely the cleaning Of their guns and an oc
|casional destruction Of an enemy, they ma conn
IftV 10 S0,f tL,y h09 hG Ii'ihc'p'c 81 StgowJWWtd
10 riaIicatc thl;, hoRcS aH3 fyrSGS IL gltScrV B
tact t,y the ,Uf1rt amt DroortiJa If NJrn7 OEcS a
IhoDS" They moved not to battle with sullcp step
but with the fire of patriotism flashing rom then
leyts and enthusiasm lighting every feature, they
dashed down on the enemy, trclinT that the eyes
OF their country from the saintcd Lincoln to tho
lhumblest citizen we're upon them. Thus arc
brought into action all the forces Of their natures
1.-THE intellect taking advantage Of opportunity
the passions hv The terrific destruction Of human
life and other necessary accomplishments of war,
the sentiment. rom the highest to the lowest by
the remembrance Of home and friends, the prid,
Of thcir country. applause and the sense of out!
done,
deuce, comrades, We 0re not merely $o"'..
r6d{ suio,w, though much that is noble, tr"u ant
'hrayc i, comurchcndcd by those terms, but ",
are cifj1H soldiers and sailors, embracing full anl
lCOmplctc manhood. developed Intellect and cGi
tivated hearts factors in society and LORDS OF IN