Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-09-05
The Two Points Of Attack ana
DpfensC.

II the rebel leaders do not seriously
contemplate an invasion Of the Northern
States, they at least seem determined to
extend their sway il possible, over the en-
tire arena Of the slave States. With this
end in view, they are concentrating their
forces at two principal points--in Virgin
ia on the Potomac and in Southern Mis-
souri. These mNy be said, therefore, to
form the two grand points of attack
and defense,
The success of the rebels in the East
would give them the National Capital
and the command of the Chesapeake
The latter would enable them to contro!
the Northern and Western trade center
ing at Baltimore. The prestige Of pos
sessing the Federal City would go far to-
ward inducing foreign powers to recog-
nize their Confederacy.
But it is nearly or quite as important
to the rebels to get st. Louis and Nilsson
ri within their grasp. They could then
dispute the navigation of the Missi ssippi
to the mouth of the Ohio, and contr oil it
below that point. The entire trade of
the Northwest Soutward would be to q
great extent under their direct control.
There is, moreover, a pressing want in
the rebel army, which can be supplied
from the possession Of the lead mines OF
Missouri.
The attention of the people of the 10y
al States has been chiefly directed TO
Washington and the Potomac. But SO
rapidly and in such numbers are Federal
troops concentrating in that quarter, that
there does not seem to be the least ground
for apprehension for the safety of the Ma
tional Capitol. With Fortress Monroe,
which is the key of the Chesapeake; in
our possession the designs of the rebels
on Baltimore and Maryland would see III
, to be efeclually check mated.
1t is to be feared that our governmen,
and the people of the loyal States hardly
rate high enough the importance of dri-
wing the rebel marauders out of Missouri.
1t has been said that their demonstrations
upon the State was merely feint to
draw attention away from Washington
and Eastern Virginia. But it is evident
that there are almost as strong reasons
why they should desire the conquest OF
st. Louis and Missouri, as of Washing
, ton and Maryland.
. There can he no question that in Mis-.
souri, what, in an election. would be call.
ed "an overwhelming majority" desire
to be freed from the presence of the scces.
sion forces and to remain in the Union
The State Convention, called through sc.
cession influence, refused to vote the State
out of the Union. This and other indica.
tions we could name, clearly show tha,
the great body Of the people in Missouri
are loyal to the Union.
Missouri belongs to the great North.
west. BY her, we of the other Northwes.
tern States should stand or fall. Our in
tercsts and hers are mutual and insepara.
BILE. Our first great and earnest efforts
therefore, should be made, not only tc
save Missouri from the grasp Of the Sc
, ccssion Coniederac y, but her soil from
, pilIage, and her loyal people from desruc-
ton, by the reckles and infurated bands
of the rebel soldiery.
1t is matter of congratulation that
= the Federal troops are concentrating at
st. Louis and at other points in Missouri
and that loyal Missourians are in great
numbers railving under the Union flag
But if necessary, the Federal force there
should be Immediately increased to ten
times its present number. 1t is due tc
the Northwest as whole as well as tt
Miss ouri as sister State, that the inva.
ders should at once be driven beyond hel
, , borders. Statesman.