Year: 1861




and for these we must patiently wait.
Time is essential to create great armies
and to conquer States, as it is to accom-.
plish any other grand result.


1t is only two months since Abraham
Lincoln was inaugurated President of
the United States, and during that time
events have been so precipitated upon
each other that it has seemed well nigh
impossible to avoid some confusion.
And yet, do believe there is not much
to complain of, and abundance to ap-
prove.


The power of the National govern
ment begins to show itself unmistaka-
bly,, and take it for granted, that the
time has now arrived when that govern
ment means to take the offensive, and
will follow the traitors to their strong
holds and severely punish them. 1t
cannot longer confine itself to mere de-
fense of the national domain and prop
erty--it must strike treason wherever
it is to be found-all the delusive pre-
lenses of the rebels about coercion and
the invasion of States must be thrown
to the winds, and the full right Of the
troops of the Federal government to
march at pleasure over every inch of
the territory of the United States must
be put beyond question: There can be
no neutrals in this contest. The State
which refuses to aid on the lawful call
of the President is as much guilty of
treason as the one which, like South
Carolina, makes actual war upon the
Federal armies, and must he treated in
the same manner.


To aid in the accomplishment of this
great task, let us put Michigen in sit
uation to be able promptly and vigor-
ously to answer any call the President
may make upon us and in doing so
we must remember that one trained
soldier is worth more than two un-
trained ones. To second the National
Administration is our whole province
and to do it effectually must be our
great endeavor. And while I do not
expect the grand result Immediately,
nor that it will be attained without
great sacrifices, yet ! cannot donbt the
final issue. 1t cannot be that this
wicked rebellion will succeed. Utterly
without cause, based upon unchastened
ambition and lust of power alone, il
can have neither the sympathies OF
mankind nor the favor of God. In
point of material power the odds are
greatly with the Government; and
these must finally prevail in a just
cause, which enlists in its behalf the
enthusiasm of all loyal citizens, and the
sympathies of the just and good every.
where. / look confidently then, to see
the complete triumph Of the Constitu.
ton and Government of the United
States in this contest, and that the final
and firm establishment in the country
of the doctrines of the Declaration OF
Independence. They who have taken
the sword will perish by the sword, and
this war inaugurated to establish slave
holding despotism forever on this con.
tinent, will result in its total and speedy
destruction. W


Our free and ever to bo revered form
of government tried in this fierce fur
mace of revolution will prove itsel
equal to every occasion. 1t will be
doubly strengthened and secured in the
hearts of our own people, while its
power and responsibility abroad will
be immensely enhanced. The fame OF
Washington and his compatriots will
glow with brighter lustre, and the
hopes of men everywhere will be
cheered and strengthened. Liberty
the great aim of mankind, will, in the
triumph of the Great Republic, secure
= home upon earth forever.


That God, by his mighty power, will
overrule all to this great end, let us de
voutedly trust.


AUSTIN BLAIR.