The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-29

tween The frogs who had prayed for him aud The
frogs who had not
We know that we are within bounds when we
say that the war expenses of the LINCOLN Admin
lstration, during the past four months have not
been less than two hundred millions of dollars.
Although it may be regarded imperlinent TO
inquire into the operations of The War Depart
ment, or TO endeavor TO ascertain what great re-
suit has been accomplished by this enormous out
lay, we propose, nevertheless, 10 take the risk Of
the censu;e. If-as we believe, and rs the record
shows--thcre has not only been nothing done
which would afford n well-grOunded expectation
that the South can be brought back TO its old allie
glance, but that, the contrary, the Govern
ment has been signaly bafed in every move
ment it has attempted to make towards that end
there can certainly be no improprety in ventprinn
doubt as to whether the end can be attained at
all. Everybody knows the enthusiastic response
that Mr.. LINCoLN's call for volunteers met with
from the North The ardor of the men; the ac-
CARNATIONS with which they were hailed, as regi-
ment after regiment passed on its way 10 Wash
ington, were only equalled by the bold as
SYMPTOMS of Republican journals concern
ing the intelligence, and courage, and IA
trlotlsm of their chosen champions. From
the men Of Massachusetts,, who marched
hguratively spaaking-with their Bibles in their
belts, down to the, ''pet lambs, - many of whom
scarcely knew what Bible was, ana certaioIv
We're not disposed to obey its precepts-aIl were
pronounced to he heroes, and were landed, TO the
echo, for the famous deeds it was confidently pra-
dicied they wonld perform. The Grand Army Of
the Union was TO break the neck of the rebellion
In one short bnt decisive campaign The Nnr,b
ern people were assured that it would march to
Richmond, and there scatter or capture the Con-
federae authorities aud the Confederate Conoross
almost without impeachment. Less than two weeks
were given TO it to perform the work, and within
that period 1t was arroganty asserted, by the New
\ DIRK 1T56"ae, that it could be done manully and
well. The cry Of Forward to Richmond was
taken up by Republican Senator's and CONGRESS-
men; by Governors of States, and by members of
Mr. LiNcoLNs Cabinet, if not by Mr.. LINCOLN
himself, The movement was ordered. 4 recon
noisance in force did not turn ont happily: but
pitched battle would set all things right. THE
battle was fought and. at It's close. all thai re-
manned of the Grand Army of the Union was \
multitude of errOr-stricken fugitives: a denoral-
ized, disorganlZed, and insubofdinate mob. We
are not commenting upon the causes which led
to this state Of things; we are simply STATING
facts. With the incompeteney of the officers
or the courage or cowardce of the rank and file
we have nothing to do. We chronicle results
that have become historical. 1t was a defeat ,he
magnitude and political Importance of which no
explanations can lessen; a stampede-to use a
singuarly graphic Amercanism-ss disnraeefnl
to those who shared in it, as it was humliatinc to
the Republicans who had made these soldiers
their idols, and had decked them with auyels in
advance of the victory they were not destined 10
win.
Now what has the Administration to show nm
TO this time, as the fruits of the expenditure Of
two hundred millions of dollars? Precarionq
possession Of the lines of Alexandria-"only this
"and nothing more" From PATrERsoN's column
at llarper's Ferry much was expected but nothing
was performed. His men were marched and
counter-marched, until their term of service cv
pred, and then-went home. The division under
BUTLER has dwindled away to a mere handful
Some Of his regiments have been mustered ont q
service, Others have been sent on to Wasbine
ION 10 Ill up the gaps in regiments that
were decimated at the Battle of RhI
Run. In the pride of their strength they suffered
severe repulse at Great Bethel and now Gene~aI
Wool has superseded the egotisticaI Brr1FR to
whom the Faes have pitilessly denied the fulfil
ment of his promise to ''brealast Tomorrow morn
cling at Yorktown In Western Virginia alone
victory rested for one brief moment on the banner
huoi -hot I n
PEGRAN fought is now generally understood It
is enough, however, TO say that they were defeated
at Rich Mountain; that GARNETT was subsequent
ly killed, aud PEGRAM compelled to surrender tope-
ther with The troops under his command For a brief
season the Federal arms appeared to be everywhere
triumphant throughout Western Virginia. How
is it now? The Confederates have re-appeared in
force. TYLER is reported as having been beaten on
the Kanawha, and ramon confidently asserts that
RcsECRANs has lost the key to his position-tbe
Cheat Mountain pass-and is either actually sur
rounded or in imminent danger of being SO. In
Missouri since the battle of Springfield, the COM
bined Confederate and State forces under NCCU
LoCH and PRICE have held undisputtd possession Of
more than one-haf the State and menacino ST.
Louis have forced General FREMONT to fortify that
city and to call upon the Government for assist
ance. Tins far, then, every offensive movement
undertaken by the Federal forces has been met and
successfully repulsed. Instead of advancing into
Virginia, the ground once occupied has been aban-
doned. Instead of securing Missouri to the Union.
they are now seriously apprehensve of losing it al
together. A vigorous prosecution of the war is
demanded by Northern capitalists rs the con-
didon of Northern support, but the popular en-
thusasm has cooled off. Instead of ScoTr and
MCCLELLAN threatening Richmond it is BEAURE
GARD and JOHNSTON who threaten the Capital
The forts and public property which were to be
re-possessed, are still held by the Confederates.
Instead of songs of triumph, the great bulk of the
Republicans are treated with consolatorv assur-
ances that Washington is not really in danger
of capture; that Brigadier General Polk will
scarcely attempt to carry the Notifications at
Cairo and Birds Point, and that Fortress Mon
roe cannot be taken so long as the squadron has
control Of Hampton Roads. This, then, is all
that has been attained as yet by the expenditure
OF two hundred millions of dollars