Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-10-31
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III RMa.
The ProIongalion Of tho War

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The ProIongaiion Of tho War.
When we look at the condition In which our
country fHds itself at the present moment, We
must acknowledge that 1t Is by no means fit
tering to our national pride.
We boast, and not without reason, OF the eu-
periority Of our population ever that Of lhe reb-
ei States, Of it's greater intelligence, and ito
superior capacity Of endurance-we reflect with
satisfaction that 1t is only 10 our pait of the
country that the arts flourish which minister TO
the necessities Of war as we'll ss those of peace;
We csn cay that for as the seas are open with all
the markets of the worlj, inviting US to com
plete our resources from what they offer US,
while the rebel ports are closed. Al the seat Of
| government we have an immense army, body
OF soldiers more intelligent than ever before
was brought together in such Dnmbers-men Of
great phJ Jscal hardihood, iull Of enthusiasm
for the Union, and most ably commanded. This
great army is posted on the soil of one OF the
rebel States, between the CITY Of Washington
and the insu, gent host by which that city 10
menaced. Meantime our navy yards have been
active beyond any previous example, and the
naval force which was 90 successfully employed
10 capturing the fo,t5 at Hatteras Inlet has
been augmented TO much mere formidable di.
mensi0ns.
Yet with all these advantages in our favor,
and all these imposing preparations, 1t is not
possible to contemplate without q feeling Of
vexation the situation in which We now stand.
| II We have blocksded New Orleans, the rebels
have blockaded our own seat of government
even more tffsctually. Their batteries COM
maud the Po,omac. The City Of Washington
and the vast army posted In its neighborhood,
cannot be approached by water. II they are to
receive supplies of provisions they must be
conveyed thither by land; their stores of am
muuition and tho ponderous engines OF war
destined for their use must be dragged over
land also.
While this is the state Of things at our seat
Of government, all the acceeses 10 which should
be ss open and safe as the entrance to the bar
bor Of New York, We are startled W the intel
lgence that the large division of our army on
tue Upper Potomac, under General Banks, one
Of our sblest commanders, has met with mosi
disastrous check In its operations. Before the
disprsce of the Stone Bridge affiir had been
wiped out, comes the fatal day Of Edwards's
Ferry, in whlch of the gallapt California regi.
meht, consisting Of more than six bundred
men, source two hundred returned safe, and
their leader, the beruic Baker, whom the coun-
try could i'll afford 10 lose, fell at their head
Oa the circumstances Of this defeat we need moi
dwell, since tue government has acknowledged
its bitter Significance by not allowing the tele
graph to tell a tenth part Of the story till few
DAYS after it happened. The design of taking
Gen. Blnks's division across the Potomac anc
planting II on the Virginia eide, TO cooperate
with the army under Mcclellan, has in conse
quence been abandoned for the present.
When We turn to what our navy is doing, VIC
!, do rot find much to reassure u.s. The expedi
al ro.s HaE al. kaA a
most brilliant result, and everybody said: "The
expedition surely will not content itself with
this single exploit, but will i'm mmediately proceed
to seize upon Beaufort while ye. defenseless
and make us masters of the entire coast ol
North Carolina" This, however, was not done
week after week elapsed; Beaufort 10 now
strongly fortified, and every where along the
coast the rebels admoDished by this proof Of the
weakness of their defenees Oh that side, have
been putting forth every exertion TO Ike them
selves secure against our attacks. The very
Intelligence brought yesterday by the steamer
Mcclellan from New Orleans, while il chow
the falsehood Of the boast made by Hollins o.
his victory over our blockading heet in ths
quarter, shows also the energy OF the prepara
g lions made by tho rebels ior their protection
A formidable feet of steamers and strang
engine of naval warfare called the Manassas
by which one of our steamers was near beDI
disabled, accompanied by feet OF fire ship
!. which covered the waters from ehofe to shore
D fairly drove our vessels from the Southwo,
Pass, one of the mouths of the mississippi, IL
doing which they narrowly escaped being wreck
ed and falling into the power Of the enemy.
We have nov formidable naval preparations
ON foot. Their destination is Of course VI
known; but that important expeditions viii
sc on 20 forth, and that blows will soon b.
struck with q vigorous hand, we do not doubt
: Still we must NOT hope for easy and almos
bloodless victories, as at the Hatteras lnlet =
That surprise cannot be repeated. We ehal
find the rebels ready for US; there will be hsr,
,, fighting; there will be Losses Of men, aud per
baps Losses of ships. and the triumphs which "
expect must be won at q sad cost of human life
We have stated these things not In q spirit O
fault. fnding, but simply with view OF show
ing the difficulties which spring up as We pro
ceed in this con6ct. These difficulties will en-
c Jurage the rebels and prolOng the war. w
have the prospect of full employment for ou
army of halt million and for all our vessel
Of war. II there are any who expect to see tn
strife ended by negotiation and friendly adjust
ment the present winter-and We have hear
such expectations attributed to certain distir
guished politicsns-they labor under the vair
est OF all delusions, and neither estimate prof.
! erly the state Of feeling at the South nor tha
at the North, There Can be no peace wiihor
national disgrace, until the rebels are fully sui
jugated. and this the dreamera to whom we a.
lude will sooner or later Gee.
Our government has eDdesvored to reinforc
its strictly military operations by Ger tain stroD
measures of another nature. There ia nothin
dearer to man tnan personal liberty; the go'
erpment has deprived individuals Of this, a
resting and confuing thtm on suspicion. 10
: free country no right Is more priced, and just
priced, than the liberty OF the press The 60
ernment has refused to several newspaper e
t,blishments in this city the right of sendir
tneir sheets by mail, and has eeized lars
packages OF these journals destined for crcul
!. tion through other chsnnels. So far as the pc
= sonsl arrests are concerned, although some
9 them we're needless, yet there is no doubt cha
Y as in the case of the Baltimore secesslonis
. and tho disloysl members Of the MarylsI
>, Legislature, ,hey prevented great deal
: miscnief, and hindered more than one tresso
able plot from being carried into effect. r.
process Of hibeas corpus has been called by M
Seward, In late letter, the great writ OF fire.
. dom, ye, the right Of suing out that writ b
. been suspended by the President
i These are vigorous proceedipge; they stril
AZ us strangely; friend Of freedom can hard
herr OF them without pang Of regret; yet d
y , country has submitted to them from convi
ton Of their necessity. Bold az they are, the
10 vet one step, which, to o distant spectator
-. ..t..;n. .vcuI1 aaau, loaa hold ha a