New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-09-19
ouR RELATIVE POSITIONS.

Cur Richmond correspondent, whose letter we !
published yesterday, gave some OF the reasons
which are supposed to influence the Government
in not ordering an immediate advance of our
army on the Potomac. Those reasons are, the
probability thar such an advance would stimulate
the tagging zeal ofthe North in prosecuting the
war, and the chance that perhaps a further effu
sion of blood may be prevented by delay.
Our own opinion on this point has already been
expressed, and, whether 1t is worth much or ttle,
is still entertained. We believe the most efectual
way to end the war, and thus prevent The injury
which the enemy has it in his power to nfiiet on
by sea- is to seize his capital and expel him from
the seat of his power. Still, we have unlimited
confidence in the wisdom and discretion of those
in authority and, knowing that they are better
qualified to come to sound conclusions than any
body else respecting these things, we are, in COM
mon with the great mass Of the people of the
South, willing to trust implicitly those who have
the eonductof the war in charge.
| We are further consoled for the apparent mac
tivity of our army by the fact that every day
strengthens our position, andweakens that of the
enemy. Every day that passes is day lost to the
North in its scheme Of conquest, and is q day
gained to the South in demonstrating its capacity
of resistance. If the South had commenced the
war with the intention of subdning the North, the
case would have been different, and we might well
complain that we did not move forward to the
accomplishment of our purpose. The case being
reversed, il is the business Of the North to ad-
| vance, as it is also its aYowed policy and hence
the North loses status by remaining quiet, while
we do not. EFN
We may not have done all that might have been
done perhaps, but when We reflect how much we
haGelfione, we have no cause to complain. The
past affords no instance Of the raising and organic
ing such large force of men as the South has
done within the short period of six months. With
out money, without any of the advantages of an
old organized Government, we have put into the
field over a quarter of million of men, well-armed
and drilled and in the highest state Of efficiency.
The spectacle may well convince foreign nations
Of the earnestness, sincerity, and invincbe deter
mination Of the Southern people
If we never strike an aggressive blow, then, we
are still maintaining our position and defeating the
objects Of the enemy. As time passes, the world
will naturally look on, and inquire why it is the
"rebellion = is not put down, according to the
vain-glorious promises and boasts of the Federal
ists 1t will be said by every disnterested speeta
tor that it is not incumbent upon the South, ac-
cording to the issue that the North itself has made
TO attack the enemy. IL is the Nortiis business,
by its professions and determinations to put down
the South. Every day that they lose, them in ac-
comprising their purpose-eVery moment of de-
lay on their parts confession of their inability
to do what has been threatened, and is further
| proof that their performances can never be made
to answer to their promises And it will be so adj
judged in the opinion Of the world.
We might gain more by a more active and ag-
gressive policy, but we gain a great point even,
BY merely checking the enemy. If the North is
satisfied with the present condition of affairs, we
surely ought not to computation, after WHILE
everybody must discover that the South is not only
not conquered, but that there is no remaining
chance that it can be. The North will continue,
as long as possible, to make show of its purpose,
andt ayo#, in words only, that the Rebels are to
be put doWn-but we do not believe other nations
will stand such nonsense much longer and they
will demand Of the North deeds, and not mere
gable and gasconade. The time that they will
allow the North to redeem its promises cannot last
forever. Those who are in favor of more vigorous
action on the part of the South, should remember
this, and take comfort.