Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-12
A LouIsIsha journal on the "DIstress'' of
tI the Free Sfafea

INC EEee 6tAtCbs d
Thursdays New Orleans Picdyune has the
following remarks under the head, g A Cry
of Distress;n 1000. .t'o 'Iii
The region of Black Republicanism re-
sounds with the rallying cry "Stand firm n
Why is this2 Are there signs of wavering,
faint-heartedness and detection in the North
ern columns2 So it is, and therefore the
frantic cry issuing from the quaking leaders
who lately appeared so valiant and defiant.
"They reel TO and fro, and stagger like a
drunken man, and are at their wits end.Y
r The grand army which marched so TIL
umpbantly under the black flag of fanaticism,
suddenly discloses signs of panic, and, not
withstanding its perfect drill and the strin-
gent discipline to which it was subjected, in
the hour of victory its mercenary leaders are
necessitated 10 resort to the most desperate
measures, to make the most stupendous ef-
forts, TO quell dissatisfaction and nautiny, and
to keep their columns in close array until
they can clutch the fruits Of their ill-gotten
victory. Even the "cohesive power of pub
lie plunder" appears TO be insufficient TO re-
strain desertion. .IIt
How is this2 Never was there a more per-
feet organization, to ali appearance. The drill
and discipline were the boast of the leaders,
and inspired fear in the opposing host. In
joining the grand army, the new recruit,
render his individual opinion and Judgment,
and TO act in perfect obedience to the will of
his leaders. Remonstrance was not allowa-
Bile. He was to swell the ranks, but no
longer free-a mere machine-he was to move
only by superior direction. During the ex-
citement of the advance aud the actual con-
f1ict and while wrapt in the ecstacy of victory,
all went well. 1t was not until preparing for
enjoyment of the fruits of success, that signs
of trouble became manifest.
The leaders had confidently reckoned on
blind and passive obedience to their dictates;
they had overlooked the possibility, ay, the
probability, that perfect accord would not
exist amid body of men constituted of such
heterogeneous materials. In the delirium of
their Joy, on finding themselves the possess
sors Of such host, they had forgotten that
ali their followers were not fanatical, not
unscrupulous, not animated by the same
passions and the same unholy desires as
themselves. The astounding discovery Is
made now, and hence, with fearful f,lrebod.
iugs of coming disaster, of utter d;smap,her
ment Of the organization which with so
much effort and toll, th,csy had effected. thew
shrek out 'tStand e',rmT w O''>O
1ne Gly IS too late to preserve the or
ganinaloD What was foreseen is rapidly
IonA f to pass. The victory in November
y ,ss' was the precursor of ruin to the power
thatachieved it. The near view Of the fruit;
of that victory which the triumphant col
umns have had, has produced the disastrous
effects now daily becoming more strikingly
apparent among them. Instead of the peace
and plenty they were promised, they fine
there is no peace, and plenty is not visible
On approaching the Capitol they shudder
as lhey look upon the results oftheir victory
The spectacle they witness causes them to
stand aghast, and, seized with panic and
needless Of the cry, "Stand firmlh which i:
thundered in their ears, they daily desert by
thousands. The organization is melting
away, with rapidity that is terrifying to the
perfdious leaders. eal8l 10
O. The bulk of the rank and file were not pre.
pared to look upon Government shattered
into fragments, dismembered Union, as
the result of the campaignin in which they had
been engaged. That was feast of horror:
to which they were not invited. They had
! no conception of the ruin and disaster they
had been instrumental in producing. Griev.
| ing tor their errors, indignant at the decep
ton pTseticed upon them by their leaders
numbers OF tu,cc,rn daily throw aside their
party emblens, and, in the hope of atoning
for past misdeeds prepare TO range again
under the banner Of the Constitution, which,
under evil influences, they had abandoned.
Their leaders now begin 10 realize that the
race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the
strong" and that the sober second thought
Of the people they deceived is recalling them
to the maintenance of sound principles,
Nevertheless they resort to every device to
avert the consequences ofdefection, and still
in the extremity of desperation cry aloud to
their remaining force, "Stand firm"