Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-14

THE EVACUATION OF UARPER's FERRy.-A
correspondent of the Charleston Mercury,
while discussing this subject says
There is necessarily great diversity of
feeling in reference to the abandonment of
lIarpers Ferry. To many, it looks like a
backing down; and it unquestionably is de-
parture from the military policy which die
tated its defense. 1t is very certain, in seiz
ing the Maryland flights, and in fortifying
and placing cannon on them, it was our pur-
pose to hold the place; and it is very certain
that the defense of llarper's Ferry presup-
posed force of at least 10000 at Winches-
t er or Strausbcrg to defend its rear. With
that it was defensible, but not without. The
whole secret Of our affairs here is a back
wardness and deficiency Of available forces
100000 men here a month ago from the Cot.
ton States would have put a different aspect
on affairs. Now we are out numbered at
every point. But we expect to whip two to
one anywhere. The one line of defenses of
which IIarpers Ferry formed part, requir-
! ed larger force than the one adopted now.
1t was certainly fair military question
whether we should weaken our forces 10y
| distribution or strengthen them by concen-
tration. With men enough for all other OBJ
jects, and Harpers Ferry besides. Harper S
Ferry ought to have been held, for it was of
| Importance to hold position on the Balti-
| more and Ohio railroad, and to keep the cas-
| tern and western forces of the enemy divi-
ded But without men enough il onght not
| of coursc-for it is, of course, better to have
| the large force at Ilarper's Ferry in the field
| than shut up there with a superior force in
| its rear. And so, therefore it was not a ques-
ton for the General at Ilarper's Ferry, but
! for the supreme military authorities of the
Confederacy, whether the place should be
| held or not. Under the circumstances, ,aban-
donment was a military necessity; but it is a
| question whether those circumstances should
have been permitted TO occur Red tape
could not hold it; but it is question wheth-
er, with less of red tape, there might have
been more activity in the unfettered limits o.
the State. The only consequence will be to
flocate more completely within the limits OF
Virginia the battle grounds, which, with
greater vigor, might have been placed be-
yond the border to give us double work tc
do and possibly endanger Richmond"
The NATIONAL QUEsTIoN.-The time for in
quiry into the causes of our present pclitca
condition, or theorizing about abstract rights
is now past The Southern oilgarchy ha:
precipitated on the Northern friends o
Southern rights the necessity of choosing, al
at once and without condition, between LAW
and ANARCHY. Do we wish the government
on the faith of whose stability we have built
railroads, steamboats,, cities, taken oaths
paid duties and taxes got passports, deliv er.
ed ourselves of views on European affairs tC
continue, or be suddenly blotted out? W.
have but one answer: We must have GOV.
ERNMENT at all hazards. Even Switzerland
the loosest confederaey in the world, does
not allow a single canton to nullify the pow
er of the central government. We cannot d.
less in the United States. We advocated th
rights of the South against the fanaticism o
the North unhnchipgly; but we cannot en-
dorse the caprice that would pull down tn
building which shelters us all. What tn
South wants the government to do in reason
We will urge the government to do. Blu
when the South can be accommodated b,
nothing short of the destruction of the gov
ernment, and desires us, for its qualification
to trample on the flag of our country, W
have TO stop We have before us the dir
consequences of civil war; but, WE MUST HAv
GovERNMENr-OathoIic Telegraph.