The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-06-28
Gen. SCOTS Programme.

tends doing. We are informed how the /
rebels are to be circumvented and destroy /
ed. Our humane Commander-in-chief,
thoughtful for the safety of the lives of his |
own and the rebel troops, and anxious to |
relieve the anxiety of enemies and friends,
has unfolded his whole programme to the
astute correspondent of the N. Y. Times |
Of course he had it printed. Of course it /
was telegraphed by the agent of the asso-
ciated press and, Of course, it appears IN |
this mornings Journal. A long drawn |
sigh of national relief is quite audible
throughout the country. There is to be no
fighting. Blood is to flow in no unnatural
channels. The $500, 600 spent, and the
100000 soldiers organized is only to fright
en-, not to subdue Bah, the stuff!
In every great commotion like that now
rocking America to its foundations, there is
danger of the people moving too fast; but
there is at least equal danger that the Gov
eminent will move too slow. Not accus-
toned to the mock patriotism Of party lead
ers-who have been in the habit OF de-
years-now that they realize the danger
which threatens their beloved institutions,
the people have seized their arms in solemn
earnest and will not tolerate any by play or
tampering with treason Politicians may
denounce each other on the stump as trait
ors, and retire to discuss the gullability of
voters over cooling glass of mint julep,
in an adjoining saloon, but the people,
when they take hold of a matter, settle it
promptly and definitely. 1t will be well
for the Administration to remember this
fact. The masses have but one idea con-
corning rebellion and treason and that is
that the one should be crushed by the strong
arm of the government, and the other pun
ished with death. They have been humbug-
ged with compromises and reconstructions
until they are sick of the words, and are
nauseated at their mention. Obedience to
the constitution and the laws without any
ifs, ands, or provisos, is their motto, and to
enforce this they are now in arms.
1t is patent to the veriest tyro in military
science, that prolonged warfare is not the
true policy of the government. II the
guerrilla style of fighting is adopted, the
government will be the loser and more lives
will be sacrificed than in any other way
Where the troops are killed, two or three at
time, the list of mortality may not appear
so formidable as after a pitched battle, but
when the campaign is over it will be found
10 4
with the best artillery thoroughly acquaint-
ed with every foot of the country, the
rebels could ask no higher boon of Gen'l
Scott, than to scatter bis forces and adopt a
skirmishing campaign. With their masked
batteries and our brilliant brigaders, they
would have nought to record but Great
Bethel and Vienna triumphs.
Volunteers think and are apt to express
an opinion" If they ascertain that they
were only called into the field to wear SOL
der clothes and do camp duty, without any
prospect of striking decisive blow for theil
country, they will wisely conclude that il
will be better to return to their workshop;
and farms. The absolute failure that will
certainly attend the adoption of the policy
indicated by the N. Y. Times is sufficient
evidence of its entire improbability Let
the Government concentrate its forces and
crush the Confederate army in Virginia
let it be demonstrated that Northern mer
are as brave and enthusiastic in defense o
their Government, as those of the South t.
secure its overthrow, and we may expec
peace, but not till then. Time will not
but defeat will, demoralize the rebels. The
Union men of the South will never rally SC
long as JEFF. Davis can boast an army like
that under his command in Virginia while
if our movements have only the appearance
of marauding parties, we may expect to find
every mountain, grove and ravine in the
South an ambush, and every man, woman
and child-backed by their negroes-ar
enemy.
If we rightly estimate the feeling in the
Northern States it is willingness ana
desire to stake the defense of the Govern
ment on pitched battles, whenever the rebel:
manifest an inclination to settle the contro
versy IN that way. If they will not fight
compel them to surrender or retreat. Lee
as discard the lhAian style of 1ghting-the
shooting of sentinels on their solitary nosts-
let us not rob the Italian of his stilla,,,
and luxury of assassinating, but let US adop
tie sturdy old Anglo-Saxon way of settling
difficulties" an open field, fair fight, ant
may the best NAH win In this way alon
will the combatants inspire mutual respect
and when mutual =resnact - aatarts;Dad /;
10 but short step to become mutual,
friendly. The contempt which the Souu
entertains for Northern pluck and tghuns
qualities must be removed, or the two sec
tions can never dwell side by side in peace
This point is the vital one in the presen
war, and should not be overlooked by tn
Administration.