The national Republican., 1861-08-01
VIRGINIA..

Virginia east Of the Alleghsnies. II is pre-.
cisely there, that they are within our easiest
reach. No long marches are necessary. 1t is
they, not us, who are separated from the scene
of conflict by great distances. Nowhere else,
can We fight at SO much advantage, the insur-
gent hordes of the Gulf States. From Phila-
delphia to Richmond, is only one fourth the
distance from Richmond to New Orleans.
New England even, ia nearer to Virginia than
the seven original Confederates States are.
Nor is proximity, important as that consid.
Grafton is, the only one which invites us to
make Virginia the scene Of conflict. We hold
all the keys to it, by land and water. Nopart
of ii is specially unfavorable to summer cam.
paign, while the valley between the Alleghanies
and the Blue Ridge is 80 high, cool, and healthy,
that NO portion of all our broad territories offers
better spot for quartering troops during the
hot season. From Washington to Richmond,
there are no formidable streams to be crossed,
or mountain passes to be forced, while towards
the sea, which we command, the peninsula be.
tween the James and York rivers affords q
route to the capital of the enemy, unobstructed
by natural obstacles. By whichever route,
armies must be met and must be fought, but
where else can we fight them, nearer to our own
resources, or under better circumstances in any
respect2
It is undoubtedly true that the enemy can
concentrate his strength at Richmond, with
great facility, by means Of railroads. So he can
at Charleston, at Mobile, and at New Orleans.
The interior network of railroads in the South
gives the rebels great advantages in this re-
spect, and increases enormously their powers
Of resistance. But we must take things as We
find them.
Itmay have been possible to have diminished
the enemy's power Of INSTRUMENTATION, BY
march into East Tennessee, friendly region
in the very heart Of the enemy's country, con.
trolling all his central lines Of railroad, and
forcing him upon circuitous routes by the coast.
But that has not been sdjudged to be advisable,
and We must, as we again repeat, take things
as We find them.
In every military aspect, the determination
Of the Government to act extensively against
the insurrection in Virginia, is sustained by
overwhelming reasons. The political consid.
erations which dictate that course are equally
decisive.
Virginia, in the hands Of an enemy, is con-
stant menace TO the national capital. Virginia
hanks Washington to the northwest, cutting
off its natural communication with the valley
of the Mississippi, and st the same time, holds
one shore of the river which connects it with
the sea. A government, unable to clear the
immediate neighborhood of its capital of hos.
tile forces, must lose prestige st home and
abroad. There is too much force in the taunt
of the London Times, that an Administration
with an enemy's army encamped for weeks
within days march of Washington, is not in
situation to assume high tone with foreign
Powers" The spectacle is degrading and de.
moralizing at home, while it is dangerous
abroad.
We have in Virginia the inestimable sdvan.
tsge of State government regularly organized
by the Union men. No reconstruction Of polit-
ical institutions is necessary. As counties
are successively rescued from the usurpation of
JEFF. Davis and his foreign hordes, the estab,
lished and lawful government of Governor
Pierpont will come in to restore the order now
subverted. The Richmond csbal is in an in
surrectionary attitude against Virginia, as we'll
as against the nation, and the means exist Of
SO treating that cabal.
The pscifcation of Virginia will confirm the
loyalty of Maryland, end diminish danger in
our rear, which now requires large and expen
sive measures of precsution. It is secession in
Virginia which is the constant stimulsnt of the
same disease on this side of the Potomac. II
the secession cabal was expelled from Rich.
mond, its sympathissrs would be powerless in
Baltimore.
And finally, Virginia has claims upon US, te
be first relieved Of the terrorists, which canno
fail to be recognized by generous minds. sht
is one of the Old Thirteen, and was honorably
conspicuous in framing that Government, tn
blessings Of which We yet enjoy, while she il
deprived of them by wanton invasion from
States, more than one Of which had no part il
establishing the republican liberty of America
We are pledged to all the States, to assure thei
| HeeuoIn, Dut the appear ior Protecuoh Wnlcl
comes to US from loyal Virginians, comes witt
q special force.
The ENEMY's AcooUNTs.-According to tn
Richmond Enquirer, portion Of Gen. John
ston's command did not arrive at Manassa
until three o'clock in the afternoon of July 81
The Enquirer says:
"At that hour General Kirby Smiths brigsd
arrived on the railroad from Winchester t
Manassas Junction, at point within two mile
T of Stone Bridge. Seeing the violence of tn