Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-13
ANOTHER LETTER FROM DIR. RUS.
SELL.
Preparations Of the Gsvernment-Iis Sci.
vsney-Iu Chances Of Suecess-Prince Na.
-pslesn.

SELL.
Preparation Of the Gsvernment-Iis Sci.
vsney-Iu Chances Of Suecess-Prince Ma.
-pslesn.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.
For good or for evil, the issue between North
and South is rapidly approaching to that which
the South predicted and feared, and the North
at arst disayowed and does not now altogether
socept,-the struggle, if 1t continues, will be
narrowed to q contest between slavery and
abolition. It is not improbable that in day
or tive the President will declare that all
slaves within the lines Of the United States
army become free. On the very last day of
Congress the bill which sets free slaves be-
longing to rebels engaged in war was signed
with reluctance by Mr.. Lincoln, and was all
but lost by lapse Of time, for, had he not been
persusded to overcome his scruples, Congress
would have adjourned Without the signature
Of the President having been given to that act.
Indeed, but for the prolongation Of half an
hour agreed upon, the signature could not have
been obtained, as the President at first refused
peremptorily to put his name to the bill, al
leging that "it will lose us Kentucky" but
there was pressure Of Senators put upon
him, and he yielded at last, but ten minutes
before the House rose. On such occasions the
President comes down to his room in the Cap
itol, and sfixes his name, or receives the Off
had not been put back, and the sittings car
risd on beyond the time agreed upon for the
adjournment, this bill could not have been
presented to the Senate. But now, after the
lapse Of Q few days, 1t Is said that q step far
In advance Of that measure will be taken, and
that the glove will be thrown down to the
South, and to the Democrats of the North as
we'll. Ifso, there can be no longer any doubt
Is to the nature Of the fight, or as to the means
to be used in it, but 1t argues the possession of
no common courage and self-reliance on the
part Of the Republicans to offer battle ON the
question at the very moment that the Demo
cratic Convention Of New York has refused TO
actin common with the Republicans, and when
"apeace at any price and compromise If you
can party" Is beginning to make itself heard
in the northern and northwestern parts Of the
Union. In revolutions the moderate politi-
clans who start up before the last act of
the drama approaches, in order to be-
come mediators, or to propose terms to
the oontending factions. are generally crush
ed betuixt the upper and neither millstones;
but there are exceptions to that rule-the vio-
lent and fanatic sections are sometimes either
neutraliIed, absorbed, or overcome by the
jHSts nsILieu. Much as Americans might wish
for such q result, and greatly as European pol
iticians would really desire the reunion of the
States by the agency Of compromise, it is ho-
fasa. " 'Ap''' '' VIII % graf
Before Manassas some wonderful combina-
tion Of good luck and dexterity on the part Of
" the devil Of compromise might have led to
an adjustment, or patching up Of the torn
seams and tsstered flags Of the Republic. The
North could not now in honor submit to ANAL
gamstion with all the taint Of base metal on
her part Of the compound. The continent of
America could not hold northern men in the
face Of defeat, insult, and contem pt from the
men Of the South. As well might the comrsde
of ancient Pistol hope to live on good condi-
tions with his truculent friends because he had
submitted quietly to the pulling of bis nose
and the kicking Of his person As basis Of am
ity and equality. Philosophic statesmen, like
Mr.. Sumner, may not be affected by such con-
siderstions They look, like him, to great
principles. Mere American politicians, eau
cus-mongers, uire-pullers, like Mr.. Blair, do
not appreciate any result which does not pro-
duoe an immediate effect en- the votes Of the
Houses, the appointments to Office, or the ls-
gerdenain Of official life, in which they are all
gIorying and disporting. Men who have
studied patiently and long the whole Of the
political mechanism Of the Union are 30 much
ensmsred of the fneness Of the machinery and
the beautiful play of its parts that, like Mr.
Seward, they think if all the bits are put to-
gether, q little oil applied, and the steam got
well up, with q good whistle to clear the way
against England or Spain, or some Europesn
Power, it Is sure to preserve its consistency
and run its course as Of yore
Meantime troops are pouring into the neigh
borhood Of the capital. Although Gen Scott
Il perfectly tranquil, and Is quite satisfied the
Confederates can make no aggressive move
ment without signal shastisement and defeat,
Gen. Mcclellan IS most uneasy and apprs-
hsHstve Of danger, and IS argent in de-
sa0ndtng ns0Ts men. He prefers his demands
on all who come near him, and some Sena-
tor Zone al least) was 50 much impressed
by bis statements that, on his own respon-
sibility, and without any communication
with the Government, he autographed to the
Governor Of his State to send on at once every
regiment he could muster to Washington Act
ing on bis own accoant, and without Gen,
Scott's knowledge, spprehend, Gen. McClel-
Ian has also from time TO time sent regiments
10 points which he conceived to be menaced or
most In need Of reinforcements. He is very
short In proper complement Of cavalry and
feld artillery. His troops are as raw as can
be, the officers not whit better as yet than
the Bull Kun officers. In fact, his army il not
sfghting machine, which can be handled as a
vhols, nor do think the Confederates are
much better in any way, except in cavalry.
The material Of some Of the Northern regi
ments cannot be excelled. Splendid men,
young, tall, robust, intelligent, and accustomed
TO adventure. If the workmsn knew their
business, there is plenty Of stuff to make q
good army in their hands. My estimate of Mr..
Jsferssn Davis force in cavalry and guns was
not far wrong, but by this time he has proba-
bly, received reinforcements to his horse power,
and has certainly increased his artillery. But,
after all, what will another battle effect? Even
II the result at Manassas be reversed, there is
little likelihood that more will be done than
increasing the feeling of bitterness between
the extremists and fresh loss Of life, for the
Federalists would be as little able 10 improve
victory ss the Confederstes were, and even
the possession of Richmond or Washington
would not enable the victors to dictate peace.
1t is all very well to talk Of an army of 500 900
men. II Ii . large force; but, fit be, Amsrics
is still larger than its action. A rapid deyel.
opment Of the railroad system has left parts OF
America In which this war must be waged dss-
titute Of ordinary roads, snd the difficulty Of
moving provisions and material is enormous
In comparison with any part Of Europe Nor
a the country ft for such marches as oan be
made across the steppes, as in India, or in the
open lands Of Europe. Such roads as ex ct are
generally cut deep in the soil, with high banks;
the land is covered with forest, and the cleared
fields are filled with stumps fatal to horse or
wagon. Then there are great rivers and noun
tain passes foodless and desolate. An army OF
e SOC, 900 men scattered over the Southern From
tier Of the United States, with its right extend
ing down into Missouri on the borders Of Arkan-