2

Southern Illinois and the War.

Great activity prevails throughout the southern part of this state, in raising troops for the defense of the union. Southern Illinois, usually called Egypt, as is generally known, is inhabited chiefly by natives of the southern states, and the traitors of the southwest have looked to that section of Illinois, hopeful of sympathy and co-operation in their schems of rebellion. As the leaders of the southern revolt were disappointed in the foolish expectation that the democratic party of the whole north would aid them in their contemplated overthrow of the government, so have the ring-leaders of the disunion conspiracy at the southwest, been disappointed in their idle hope that the people of southern Illinois would prove disloyal.

The military enthusiasm is greatly on the increase there, and thousands are offering their services for the war. Hon. John A. Logan is raising a splendid regiment of picked men around Benton, which has been accepted by the war department. Hon. John Haynie, of Cairo, Douglas elector, is to be tendered the command of a fine regiment now being raised in and about Cairo, which will be ready in a few day for service. Cols. Hunter and Reardon are raising regiments at Metropolis, and everywhere the greatest activity prevails. These regiments will be composed of hardy and loyal men, as are the "Egyptian" regimens that are already in the field. Messrs. Logan, Haynie and Reordon, as the warm personal and political friends of the lamented Douglas, cannot more nobly demonstrate their admiration of his principles and their respect for his memory, than by helping along, as they are doing, the war for the union and the government which he loved while living, and for which he expressed a heartfelt devotion in his last dying words.