April 19, 1861 – To the Breach!

Freemen of the North! Peace-loving and law biding citizens of our country! Ye who stand upon the glorious platform of “the Union, the Constitution and the Enforcement of the Laws,” and who have borne and forborne with traitors in arm against them, until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue, the crisis is now upon you! The Fort upon whose defense your hearts were set with an intense and all-absorbing enthusiasm, has been surrendered to traitors, and the flag “of beauty and of glory,” at the sight of which every true American’s heart swells with pride, has been dishonored. It has been struck to those whose sworn duty it was to uphold it against foreign and domestic enemies. Is there a man worthy the name of an American whose soul does not burn with indignation deep at this insult to that sacred emblem which he has been taught to love and honor?

This damning blot upon our national escutcheon must be wiped out! Treason must be crushed with the strong arm of this Government, and the majesty of the laws vindicated, if need be, by a million of men, at the point of the bayonet and at the cannon’s mouth! The time for appeal, for argument, for conciliation, has gone with the surrender of Sumter! Let the tocsin now sound, and from every hill and valley, from lake and river, from mountain and prairie, throughout all the loyal and true States, let patriots rally to the call of their country, resolved that this stain upon our flag shall be atoned for, that the supremacy of this Union shall be maintained and its laws shall be enforced, be the consequence what they may. Woe be to those who shall attempt to withstand the tempest of a nation’s wrath! Cincinnati Gaz

The War Question

Never, perhaps, in the history of our country has there been a time of more exciting scenes and transactions, than have been enacted within the past few days. From the Atlantic seaboard to the far off Territories of the American Union, the mind of the people have been deeply and powerfully moved. The great heart of the Union throbs, and every pulsation is felt throughout the whole land. What has been done is recorded. What will be enacted remains to be seen. The voice of the people seems to be “The Union must and shall be preserved.” Come what may, we hope it will be demonstrated that we have a Government. 

This is not a question of politics, but at once resolves itself into, the friends and supporters of the Government and the laws, or its enemies and opponents. Let every man declare where he stands.

Fremont Journal, Fremont, OH

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