The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-06-12
Can the Southern States be Subiusated by the
North
T From The London Times May al

from me London Times D1Gy IA.
The news from America will possibly
give some hopes 10 those who are anxiously
longing for peace. There is at length
pause. produced partly Dy the unreadiness,
and partly by the moderation of the belIig-
erents. Though the patriotic zeal of the
North States, and the determined ener-
gy of The South do not appear TO have d.
minisEed, yet we may presume that the
objects of the contest, and the means which
must be used TO gain them, are present to
the minds of both parties. One cause of
excitement is now taken away. The fed
eral capital is safe in the hands of Northern
troops. One party is no longer tempted TO
10 attack il, nor the other enraged by the
fear of losing it. Communication by iee-
graph had been restored between Washing.
ton and the North. The city itself was
held by $4,000 men the neighboring posi-
,ions had been occupied and strengthened,
| and Gen. Scott had no expectation of any
danger On the other hand, the Confeder-
ale States appear TO have reiinquished all
designs of attack, if they ever entertained
/ any.
| The theory OF State independence, which
! is acted upon by every State, small or great,
| makes the politics OF the late Union shifting
| beyond measure. But, if we suppose Vir-
GINA is al heart with the Confederate gov
eminent, and is acting for It's advantage, 1t
would seem that President Davis has deci-
ded on purely defensive operations. To in
tsrpose great mass of neutrality betrceen him
self and his enemies a master stroke Of P0Licy,
on the presumtiou that he wishes 10 await
them al home, TO tire them out by forcing
them 10 undertake expedition by sea at
vast expense-and 10 obtain time for the
consolidation of the new republic before
being called upon to defend any OF IFS out
lying regions. But If the bold schemes OF
the South are TO be carried out, and the Pal
metto flag is to fly over Flanueil Hall, then
the position assumed by Virginia is The
most troublesome than can be Imagined
The most likely solution is that the confed-
crate States, seeing their opponents thor
oughly reused, and knowing that II will be
impossible to hold ,Eeir grouud in the i'm
mediate neighborhood of the populous
Northern States, have given uP all idea TO
advance beyond the Potomac, and are stud
ying to retain Virginia without having 10
fight FOR it.
The future course of the war is probably
not known 10 the statesman at Washington
themselves To those, however, who look
, at things from distance IT appears as II
States themselves were 10 be broken up, the
st4r oh Nfaa aHr1sa
rights of sovereign power as have been ar
rosaled 5y the larger divisions of The coun-
: nv. Virginia will prabably suffer 10 this
} manner Her immense extent, SURPRISING
: that of England and Wales, makes this
event less 10 be dreaded by her patriotic
citizens than If her area were less enor-
nous but even so, the native State OF
;; Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Mon
n roe will be sadly shorn OF It's dignity should
the Western part, nch and prosperous
free soil region, fall OF and cast lis lot with
Ohio and Pennsylvania. Unless the FEEDER
al government succeeds in coerclng or coax
g ing the secessionists into renewed union
this disruption OF Virginia seems almost in
evilabe This consideration perhaps, has
had some effect on The prudent action OF
n the State The re esults we have vel to learn
;. Where events are Influenced by ever chang
ing circumstances, acting on wavering pol
! illclans and impetuous moOS, IL Is more
II than ever difficult TO calculate the future,
4 and il remains 10 be seen whether the gov
eminent will carry on the war against the
!. Confederates, or whether MIR. Lincoln, hay-
ing redeemed some OF his pledges and Sc
J cured the capitol will be inclined TO mod
n crate counsels He no doubt has the chance
- OF winning viciories-and OF requiring a
n character for energy and hrmness. He
NAV, not content with assuring the posses
} sion OF the two little Northern slave States
J inflct sreyious injuries on the Confedera;es
u by blockeding their ports, inteuupting theI
cultivation, and even tampenns with the
slave population. But, on the other hand
. Ii is more evident that war for the sublu
CATION of the South is an enterprise o.
h which the Washington politicians have mol
as vet conceived the magnitude. In th
;, case superiority of strength on the one sid
would be balanced by desperation on it'
re other. The young lawyers, clerks and fal
- mers who have hurried 10 Washinetol
of must be drilled and oiciplined for a lon
: war in a sparsely Inhabited. unhealthy, u,
. ioodless country, where they will be. II
gagged against an enemy hot-blooded. =,
obstinate al all times, and reused 10 fufp i
rs the invasion of their soil. The oornn,
ton OF what is geographically the IaFe,
half of The late Union will have 70 ba .,
III complished by militia slaiiuhed asaong
people who will look upon them a. tbs
ly look upon Indian savages The orl
a alternative is to enforce blockade and ,