Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-29
A GREAT UPRISING.

Tho Surprising Material and Moral
Strength OF the Loyal States In 1851.
AS the years roll by we get a proper
perspective of the civil war, and as we
have leisure and opportunity to compare
it with other wars we realize the i'm
portance Of one fact too often over
looked. In our impatience and criticism
in 1875 we forgot that no war Of
modern times had been waged by any
nation with rulers 30 little prepared by
experience. The soldiers of the Union
In 1881 were absolutely new to the art Of
war, and by an extraordinary combina-
ton Of circumstances the civil rulers
were at the same time almost devoid Of
experience in practical administration.
The Republican party was led by very
new men, whose almost entire experience
had been in political opposition. They
were indeed ardent patriots, but so far
as experience in governing went they
were in 1851 just like passengers who
might suddenly be called to take charge
Of ship going to pieces beneath their
feet in storm which made thrice sea-
soned mariners pale.
Suddenly they were called upon to
deal with the most embarrassing COM
plications in diplomacy, the most diff
cult problems in finance, the most sub
tie and complex issues in constitutional
law, and to meet demands for military
purposes which would have staggered
the most powerful monarchies in Eu-
rope. Russia, Austria, England and
France had in turn owned their inca
pacity to suddenly mobilize quarter OF
q million men. The United States, which
had but 10000 men in Its regular army
in April, 1861, had before the frosts Of
autumn fell nearly 100000 men armed
and equipped and In camp or on the
march.
And with what success? Comparisons
are in this case indeed eloquent. Great
Britain's administrative system confess
edly broke down in supplying less than
60, 900 men in the Crimea. In the win
ter Of 1881 the Washington administra-
ton supplied 1000 men, scattered
along q line OF $500 miles from the
mouth of the Potomac to New Mexico.
Before the war revenue Of 600, 900, 900
a year alarmed the nation. In q few
months Secretary Chase had to raise
$eOO, 900, 900 a year, and soon had to
double that.
In naval warfare the Americans of
April, 1861, were as children, yet In
eight months they had established a
naval blockade the most thorough In
history, and in eight more their rams,
monitors and other ironclads had rev.
olutionized naval warfare.
The energy of the north was indeed
wonderful, its reserve Of strength vastly
greater than itself suspected. To quote
western byword, "We ached with
strength" No country In the world was
ever stronger for war purposes than were
the adhering states In 1851.
And back Of all the material resources
were the soul, the moral yigor, the fierce
and high resolve that the time had come
TO settle the great issue once for all.
Only twice In all history has there
been anything at all approaching it
the uprisings of Holland against Spain,
and Of France In her early revolutiona' ,
sra. Time. instead Of lessening, height
ems our appreciation Of that great and
truly national movement. The perspec-
two Of 10 odd years gives US more In
spring view Of the great uprising OF the
north. J. H. BEADLE.