Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-31
IFrom The London Time.- NAVAL


The american Crisis in EursPe-oaa the
sOathern States be subjugated By the
NOrthS
The newsffom America viii possibly give
some hopes TO those who are anxiously long
ing for peace. There is at length pause
produced partly by the unreadlness and
partly by the moderation Of the belligerents.
Though the patriotic zeal of the Northern
States, and the determined energy of the
South do not appear to have diminished, yet
we may presume that the objects of the con-
test, snd the means which must be used to
gain them, are present to the minds Of both
parties One cause Of Excitement is now
taken away. The Federal Capital is safe in
the hands Of Northern troopsl One party is
no longer tempted to attack it, nor the other
enraged at the fear of losing it. COmmuni-
cation by telegraph had been restored be-
tween Washington and the North The city
itself was held by eighteen Thousand mon;
the neiehboriDg positions had been occupied
and strengthened, and General Scott had 40
expectation of any danger. On the other
hand, the Confederate States appear to have
Ielipquisbs,d all designs Ofattack, if they ever
, entertained any. -
The theory Of State independence, which
is now acted upon by every State, small or
great makes the politics of the late Union
shifting beyond measure. But, if suppose
that Virginia ia at heart with the Confeder-
ate Government, and isacting for its advant
age, il would seem that President Davis has
decided on purely defensive operations. To
iHterPoSe a great mass of neutrality betweeR
himself and his enemies Is a master stroke Of
policy, in the presumtion that he wishes to
await them at home, to tire them out by
forcing them to undertake expeditions by
sea, at a vast expense and to obtain time for
the consolidation of the new republic before
being called upon to defend any Of its out
lying regions. But II the bold schemes of
the South are to be carried out, and the Pal
metto flag is to float over Faneuil Hall, then
the position assumed by Virginia is the most
troublesome that can be imagined. The
most likely solution is that the Confederate
States, seeing their opponents thoroughly
reused, and knowing that it will be impos-
sble TO hold their ground in the immediate
neighborhood of the populous Northern
| States, have given up all idea of advancing
beyond the Potomac, and are now studying
to retain Virginia without having to fight for
| it.
| The future course Of the war is probably
not known to the statesmen at Washington
themselves. To those, however who look
at things from distance, it appears as il
not only State were to he separated from
State, but even as if States themselves were
| to be broken up, the counties assuming to
themselves the same rights of sovereign
| power as have been arrogated by the larger
| divisions of the country. Virginia will
| probably suffer in this manner Her i'm.
mense extent, surprising that of England
and Wales, makes this event less to be
dreaded by her patriotic citizens than if her
arena were less enormous; but, even so, the
native State of Washington, Jefferson, Madi-
son and Monroe will be sadly shorn of its
! dignity, should the Western part, rich and
| prosperous free-soil region, fall off and cast
in its lot with Ohio and Pennsylvania Un-
less the Federal Government succeeds in
coercing OF coaxing the Secessionists into
renewed union this disruption of Virginia
seems almost inevitable. e..
This consideration, perhaps, has had some
effect on the prudent action of the State. The
results we have yet to learn. Where events
are influenced by ever changing circum-
stances acting on waveriDg politicians and
impetuous mobs, it is more than ever diff
cult TO calculate the future, and it remains
to be seen whether the Government will
carry on the war against Virginia as against
the Confederates, or whether Mr.. Lincoln,
having redeemed some of his pledges and
secured the Capital, will be inclined to mod
crate counsels. He no doubt has the chance
of winning victories, and Of acquiring a
character for energy and firmness. He may,
not content with assuring the possession OF
the two little Northern slave States, inflict
| gr1evous injuries on the ConfederateS by
blockading their ports, interrupting their
cultivation, and even tamperinR with the
slave population. But on theother hand, il
is more and more evident that tOar for he
su6jugahon of the South is an enterprise Of
tshiek the Washington politicians have not a,
yet conceiVed the magnitude. >lG .T
In this case superiority of strength on the
one side would be balanced by desperation
on the other. The young lawyers and clerks
and farmers who hSve hurried to Washing
ton must be drilled and disciplined for a
long war in sparsely inhabited, unhealthy,
foodless country, where they will be engaged
against an enemy hot blooded and obstinate
at all times, and reused to fury by the in.
vasion of their soil. The occupation of what
is geographically the larger half of the late
Union, will have to be Accomplished by 8
militia stationed amonga people who will
look upon them as they look upon Indian
sayages. The only alternative is to enforci
blockade and to let the rebellion 'stinE
itself to death."s Whether this policy i
likely to be successful, those who know the
Americans can bestjudge. ~ Es