The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-25

we 90 not know a more striking Illustration Of
the thorough eernestness with which the Sonth has
entered upon the war, than we find in the admirail
manner IN which all classes OF people have kent Sc
cret the military operations that were beinc carried
on in their midst. From the very moment IT he
came certain tnaJ tne y orinern oraJes ueIer-
mined TO sustain the LINCOLN Administration with
all the men and means at their command at the
simple reqle5! OF the Confederate authorities that no
Information should be impaired with regard to the
movements OF troops, Or the nature and extent of
the preparations which were making to resist and
repel invasion, scarcely single indiscreet word
has been uttered or committed to paper, that would
give any clue TO the plans of the Confederate chiefs
or to the number Of troops by which those plans
were to he put into execution. Ia the opinion of
the North the Southern people were race of bragg
gars and vain boosters of good soIdiarly quail
lies, pehaps, and not wanting ia COURAGE
capable of making Il brilliant charge, but
lacking those powers Of endurance and that
tenacity Of purpose which the North claimed to be
the most prominent characteristics OF the men OF
Its own section. In brief the Southerners were re-
garted by their opponents as a fiery, and impul-
slve, but radically efIen;n4'e people, who talked
'p-'-bSl
solves had always come to naught when put 10 n
pTac"cal tes aad who were The last persons in
the world that had sufficient se!lcontrol to shroud
their doings in silence snd mystery. How en-
tteiy the North was mistaken in its estimate of
Southern Character recent events have most con-
cluslvely shown. The extraordinary exer!ions
which the Confederate States have been making
for the past three months, must have been known
TO thousands OF individuals; yet during the whole
OF that period, nothing was dirulged which could
IN any manner give clue to the actual extent Of
their resources in men and munitions of war. or
more than vague idea of the defensive works which
lhey mad thrown up at various points. Even the
spies in the pay of the Government at WASHINGTON
appear to have been unable to penetrate. with suc-
cess the liaes of the Confederate army at Manas-
sas, or 10 iaraish an accurate account of the num-
Der OF troops collected at tiat point or of the po-
si'ion OF the batteries by which it was defended.
Inc eoaoie defeat OF the "Graud ARMY at Bull
fnn makes perfectly apparent that when it COM
menced exuitingly it's march TO Richmond. Cen
erat MCDOWELL himself knew but little more con-
corning the deences beyond Centreyille than that
system OF batteries INSTRUCTED his advance and
only hogan to find out where those hs t,ero, -
placed when his several divisons. uov;,r h. s;r
ent routes, stumbled upon them and drew thei-
fire. After nine hours hard fighting, his know1-
cage extended no further than this--he had IN
masked few OF the weaker batteries erected at
lie apex OF the triangle, and in attemptinr TO
penetrate beyond them WAC pnt to utter ront and
driven back behind his own entertainments of
Alexandria. What better proof could be reouired
OF the reiicence which tie Southern people have
observed Than the facts that we have cited
here was an army encamped for nearly three
months at s. distance of not more ,ha,
thirty miles from the Federal lines. vet i,s
Strength is unknown to this dav. For m;1e.
around, in every direction, it had thrown nm
within the same space of lime-on the erestz and
slopes OF hills, in Favines, in the omen fields ard
Al tue uep'S ot tne ioreSt-a series Of earthworks
ana mounted them with innnmerahe cannon. vet
neither spies nor reconnoisances could make ont
where they were situated, the manner in which
they were placed in respect 10 each other. or the
routes by which they could be turned. Troors
pour INTO Virginia from the remoter Southern and
coulh- " esiern States; We hear of them coming
over tue various railways in q continuous stream.
we even learn, occasionally, The names of par
'lcuISr regiments, but what disposition is msda Of
u", AFTER their arrival at certain point is lief,
~ho''y TO Conjecture. hen we seek to ascertain
-N'ner, We are bafled. To ecneralites we are
out details are rot to tie had The
So Vi 'he service, the interests of the Cored-
81 uo Mat, in such matters silence
snal De observed, and the slim. 80 $3.50
So. 'ook upoA this implici. conform,
lty TO the wishes of the Govern,ar. eon'ofii'
ern ConiedeFacy ms one Of the mo-. .'e Hou.h-
features OF the war of Independence - .',!
Is engaged. 1t shows that the hear, ana 10,
Inc people are in the cause, and that their ca,c
oence in their leaders is entire The quiet dignity
WIN which they have asserted their rights, is only
elu"'lea oy the calm energy with which they have
-. - " work to maintain them: and in both these
t,,st - Ney present the strongest possible con.
as 70 'he'r Northern opponents Tho oro., rio-
roea.n -aS,sso By BEAuREGARp on SUNDAY Last ia
aO,y due to the jealous cars ,r;,s 49, 49,.
.ne people OF the Southern states sn ~ "n,,h
those Immediately around him. bsva Iu specially
secret OF his operations. Tho -, susfueo the
winch befell the Federal arms on Tho a. u'sas'er
sion, may, in an equal degree be tract ueca-
opposite cause. 1t is the Northern w., Tue
have shown themselves bosstful and yain.g1o., "no
a is the men Of the South who have exbibi'as