War in the United States (Jan. 1862)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: January, 1862, page 5. 

This war is assuming an auspicious shape. It was not to hare been reasonably expected that the people of the loyal States, most of whom were unaccustomed to the use of arms, and who were taken by surprise, could on the instant rise and crush out a rebellion which had long been premeditated and carefully prepared by men who, however criminal, had, it must be confessed, experience and ability. Jeff. Davis and his associates in treason had, through a serious of years, occupied high positions under the Government and held actual control of public affairs. During all that time their power and influence were wielded to prepare the Southern States for the rebellion. The people of the South were encouraged to exercise themselves in military discipline, and arms and munitions of war were furnished them in abundance from the national arsenals. Thus when the time arrived for the hoisting of the standard of revolution, Davis, Beauregard and the other leaders of the revolt found themselves at the head of armies already disciplined and furnished with every necessary of war. We say, the loyal States were taken by surprise; they had so long listened to the gasconade of politicians that they regarded the threats of the Secessionists with incredulous ears; and it was.only when they heard the thunder of the guns from Fort Sumpter they realized the actual situation of the country. The spectacle which followed was grand to an extreme, and every way worthy a great and free people. The merchant left his ledger, the farmer his plough, the mechanic bis tools, the lawyer his briefs, and even the minister his pulpit, to commence an education in a new profession—to learn the art of war. It is no exaggeration to say that five-sixths of the volunteers scarcely knew the difference between a minie rifle and a flint lock musket, so far as such knowledge might be useful on the field. But, brought up in habits of industry, trained to adapt themselves to contingent circumstances, and gifted with quick intellectual powers of discernment which men accustomed to business pursuits only can acquire, the people of the great North, East and West proved themselves equal to the emergency. They were as rapid to learn the duties of a soldier, as they had been slow to believe in the existence of a rebellion. Still, after they acquired the theory, they had still to confront the enemy and acquire the practice of their new profession. It was natural, under the circumstances, that a few blunders should occur, and we had the Bull Run, Springfield, Lexington and other disasters to lament. But again the people of the loyal States triumphed, and there is now at the disposition of the government as vigorously disciplined and well appointed an army as has been assembled any time within the century. Every day its strength and efficiency are being increased. Unworthy and incompetent officers are driven from command and soldiers of experience commissioned in their stood. 

Three months ago, it was the boast of the rebels that their forces had been trained from boyhood up to the use of arms, and that it was folly to suppose that tradesmen and "greasy mechanics" could successfully meet them in hattie ; but we imagine they at length are beginning to discover the great truth that labor elevates and strengthens manhood. 

As we before said, the war is assuming an auspicious shape. The rebels have exhausted their resources; they can bring no more soldiers into the field. On the other hand, the U. S. Government has not developed a tithe of its strength, and yet our armies largely outnumber those of the enemy. And while we hear of dissensions among the leaders at the South, the feeling of cordiality between President Lincoln and our Generals grows stronger every hour. In short, the loyal States have risen superior to all adverse circumstances, and are gaining strength every hour, while the rebel government is in the last extremity for men and means to save it from perdition.  -S.F. Herald.