Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-23
From the Richmond Dispatch
ON To WASHING TON!
BY GEO. fITZHCGH.

BY GEO. fITZHCGH.
Although the exertons of the North in carrying
on war against u.s. the magnitude of its preparations
and the number of its forces have far exceeded any
apprehensions We entertained when hostilities
mcnced yet its success has fallen still further short
Of those apprehensons We feared, yet expected,
and we're prepared to bear up against, an INVASION
into the very heart Of the South. We knew that
each step Of advance, their part would weaken
their force and increase means of defence Had
the Grand Army" fought at Culpeper Court. House
instead of Manassas, the "Grand Army" would now
have been thing of the past The fate of Brad
dock, Burgoyne, CORVALLIS, Ross, and Packcnham
had taught to believe that any serious invasion
Of the South would be attended with utter destruc-
ton to the invaders.
But, instead of invading us. our enemy has been
exhausting his resources, both in men and money,
in defending Washington They boast that it
is impregnable as Gibraltar. Wo do not believe
that, but the contrary think that with immense
Loss of life our part we might take it; yet it is
certainly their strongest point defended it Is by
the broad Potomac, by their fleet, which commands
its navigation, by immense artificial Notifications,
and by an army of hundred and fifty thousand
men. 1t is their strongest point, and they invite
and advise us to attack it. Shall We turn foolhardy
and swear like the school-boys that 1--WE won't take
dare or shall VIC assail them where they are
weakest. not where they arc strongest?
Suppose they winter in Washington is not that
failure on their part success ours? When they
look cooy at their position next spring. and see
that after year OF active hostilities, after many
disastrous defeats and victories after the loss in
camp, or on the battlefield of hundred thousand
lives, and after the expenditure Of five hundred mil.
lions of dollars, they have not even begun to invade
the South but on the contrary, have lost Missouri
and Kentucky. which belonged to them when the
war begun-and almost lost Maryland-is it pro-
bable that they will DO disposed to carry on any
longer so hopeless war?
But if we could take Washington would it be
advisable to do so? So far, the North has expend-
cd almost all its men and means in defending that
city, 1t has few forces munitions of war to send
to Missouri or Kentucky, or to Western Virginia
but on the contrary, is continually removing forces
from the West to strengthen its capital and increase
its Pretoran Guard $50 that no matter what be-
comes of the Republic, the sacred persons Of Lin
coin Scott, and Mcclellan, shall receive no detri.
ment. The defence Of Washington has completely
paralyzed the strength of the North. If we take it,
Lincolns body guard of a hundred and fifty tnor-
sand will lie at once available as force wherewth
to invade the South.
Cincinnati and Philadelphia have none of the
strength of position, natural or artificial, which
Washington enjoys, and are much more inviting
points of attack.
If we march into Maryland, we must leave half
of our army on this side to prevent the enemys
advance on Richmond. Thcn the two divisions of
our army would have very precarious and made
quate means Off inter communication, Of concerted
action, whilst the enemy holding the Potomac with
abundant means Of speedy transportation, could, at
any time bring his whole force to bear on either
half of ours. Besides New York and Pennsylvania
would send another hundred thousand men, in a
week, into Maryland, to defend the capital Whence
could we obtain any considerable number of troops
where with to strengthen an invading armys How
long would it take to recruit them and bring them
to the shores of the Potomac? And when brought
there, what surety have We that we could transport
them into Maryland?
We shall do well if we compel our enemies to
winter in Washington. Shall We risk everything
in the rash and perilous effort to do better? When
time. means, and opportunity combine to make it
prudent and advisable to ION to Washington" we
have no doubt our army will march to the assault.
Until then, we may quietly rcpose on the laurels
which we have already won in many field. Be-
sides, if we are not advancing in the East we are
advancing in the West where there are no precious
souls like Lincoln Scott ana Mcclellan to be guard
ed and defended. On the whole, the war has every
where been conducted with success and ability on
our part, and we can see no room for complaint or
repining.
The Richmond journals are engaged in active can.
vass Of the .:erits Of Vice President Stephens The
Examiner is out and out against him. while the En-
quirer supports him cordially. The Whig also sup
ports both Davis and Stephens. The RAiy truly
saysthat President Davis position is The true one
the one dictated by justice and wisdom; no reference
to past political opinions but are you devoted and
loyal to this great cause? This covers the whole
ground and it puts all whoare willing to stake for.
tune and life for their country andis freedom upon
/ f0tting Of equality. - Aisissippiaa.