Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-17
$ II FIR
VIRGINIA.


VIRGINIA.
The border states which to this time have
actively supported the rebellion have been fifty,
though not adequately rewarded. Maryland
is undoubtedly satisfied with her brief expe.
rience in that cause, and in the face of the
guns which are frowning upon her, will not
hastily enter it again. Missouri, with her
scditious rulers, attempted mischief, and may
cause embarrassment and annoyance yet; but
their rascalty has not prospered. In Tennes.
see, forced into the revolt by the frenzy of its
more active traitors, there are elements of civil
commoiion which may lead to bloody issue
on her own soil, The rebellious governor of
Kentucky who would gladly change the disloy-
al neutrality" of his state to open hostility TO
the government, is restrained by the certainty
that its rebellion would bring down upon it
the quick vengeance of the three loyal states
north of it, and of western Virginia. The
legends of the clark and bloody ground"
would pass out Of mind in the darker realities
which would be enacted on its soil. Virginia,
which has been for many weeks in the hands of
more reckless and abandoned rioters, will soon
gather in more disastrous harvest. She has
been duped into the rebellion by the "confed
crate states" and has invited them to fight
their battles within her borders. The troops
which are daily arriving only add TO the num-
bers who live on her substance, and break up
the healthy current OF her business and trade.
Except OH her southern boundary, which there
is 10 occasion to guard, she is impenetraDly sur
rounded by loyal army, strong enough and
watchful enough to subdue the state without
striking blow. OF course nothing is author
itatively known o. the purposes OF the rebels,
or of their actual strength. The following
statement of correspondent of the New York
Evening Post is more favorable to them than
most of the accounts which are received -
There are in Richmond about eight thou
sand troops, and in other places in the state
twenty thousand more This number-twen-
ty-eight thousand-will cover all the armed
troops in Virginia ut this moment, but troops
are arriving daily from all parts of the south,
and Virginia is hourly expecting TO put fifty
thousand men into the field within month
from this time. The secession leaders, Wise,
army one hundred thousand strong will stand
on Virginia soil before the 4th of july and
Win this army they expect to give battle to
the government of the United States These
are, at least, the expectations CT the rebel lead
ers.
On the assumption that this estimate is cor
rect, and that the confederate states have
means to sustain them in the field, which is
really wild supposition, there will be slight
comfort for Virginia. The greater the force
which musters OIL her soil to destroy the
government, the greater will be the crash
when the time comes for the indestructible
government to vindicate its insulted dignity
and power. The federal authorities want
SRg in strategy, in bravery, in numbers
W. = .is66iis61lP of war, and, if it becomes
i'll desoate the Old Domin-
Alleghanies. If hostities are long delayed it
will not be necessary. The danger which
already. appas her is no felton, but terrible
reality The reign of terror is casting its
first shadows over her fate. Her highways
of trade with other states occupied by
the government against which she has re-
beled, her water courses interrupted, her
ports blockaded, rampant ard unoccupied
soldiery preying at its vitas, fearing assault
from the invincible troops concentrated along
ITS northern border, helpless and dismayed
against the brave and increasing garrison at
fort Monroe divided against itself by the fideli-
ty of the trans Allegheny counties, what can
Virginia do, except to return to her loyalty
with ample hostages for her good faith, or
submit to annihation as a decree Of fate