The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-11-25


counsels might prevail, and waiting till
the sleeping patriotism Of the North
awakened to assert itself in case decisive
action became necessary. The attack
upon and capture Of Fort Sumter at
Charleston Harbor brought on the crisis.
1t awakened the whole nation, North
and South, to the startling fact that war
was upon us, and was actually begun.
The war spirit now swept over the
North as it had over the South, like
wildfire. The time had come for action.
Mr.. Lincoln called for $4,000 men, and
800, 900 responded. The South had con.
stantly asserted that Northerners were
towards, and would not fight Now the
spirit of the Northern manhood is
awakened, and we shall see. Still, every.
thing for time was against us; we had
neither organization, discipline or drill.
We had poor arms and inexperienced
officers, and were really incapable of
doing efficient service. But we were
there, and hundreds Of thousands
ans wered to the roll call, and were ready
for any duty that came to them in de-
fense of the Republic.
"Our success in Western Virginia
during the summer Of 81 led many to
think the struggle would be short. But
the sickening disaster at First Bull Run
dispelled that hope entirely. And now
we were compelled to look the matter
squarely in the face, and to recognize
the fact that the war might last four
years, desperate and direful as it after
wards proved to be. And now for the
first time we began to appreciate the
character and magnitude of the work
before US.
"And yet there was nothing else to do
but to fight. There was no answer to
the gage OF battle but battle. And if
we were not able to move upon the
enemies of our country in aggressive
fight, then we must assume the defen.
sive until we we're ready to fight them
in open field. Our statesmen had beat
en- them in argument in Congress and
in the Senate; and when they could not
answer our great Senator with words
and arguments, they answered him with
the bludgeon of a bully.
We had beaten them at the ballot box,
and when they had no answer to that,
they said: eve can whip you," and We
said, Possibly you can, but so long as
you make war upon our country and it's
flag, we'll fight you to the death" Deep
in our hearts we had unquestioning
faith in the righteousness of our cause,
and although the triumph was post
poned, still We had the men and we had
boundless resources, Skill in arms and
genius in leadership, ability to fight
disciplined foe would come with time and
experience. And so, with deep con
viction of the sacredness of our cause
and an abiding faith in it's ultimate tri
triumph, thousands pledged their lives
and loyalty to God and the country "for
three years or during the war" Young |
men, most of them just entering the
fair fields OF life. joyful and hopeful in |
the bright dream OF the future, happy
in their surroundings and in their
homes, they were-and yet what could
they do but answer to the drum-beat
when the country called them to duty
And 80, without tear they laid their
lives on the altar-almost without a
pang they gave up home and friends
and loved ones-almost without regret
they severed the tenderest and holiest
lies OF life for duty. What else could
hey do? Gould they zee the govern
nent they loved and the free institu.
ions that had blessed their lives all de.
'troyed without courageous protest
Gould the great battle OF the ages for
rec manhood and free civilization be
ought, and they not there? No, no; they
lad to go! All that was heroic in their
that was noble and true
within their souls bade them 90, and
ms " ering to that heroic inspiration, the
'oung manhood of the North gave up
for duty. Marshaling in
hese great armies of the nation, out OF (
he hills and valleys Of Highland County, {
ut of the happy homes that crown your {
ills and gem your valleys, your brave
'oys and loyal men came by hundreds
nd by thousands, answering the call
+ duty. Oh, if the grand ofd Puritans {
nd cavaliers whose blood flows through
our veins, could have seen your muster
q Gods Grand Army of Freemen, or
ould have seen you fight for what they I
lad bequeathed you, every hero, living
r dying, would have heard their proud
"Soldier of the Republic,
yell done, we'll DONE" &
"Have you ever attempted to grasp 4
sA.- a.