Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-20
Effective Power OF a Blockade.

The New York Times says:
The Southern mind has long been in such
q state of mental eCstacy, that nothing short
of a sound drubbing, or signal exhibition of
the power of the North can ever bring the
rebels to anything liks reason, either in their
conduct or ideas. Whatever they produce
seeks its market by sea. Yet, without being
able 70 put even a tab afloat without FIRST
stealing it, they grossly insult and attempt
TO destroy the Government of a frstclass
naval power. In our contests with them, all
our commercial, sea. going and coastwise
steamers are just as effective as are ships Of
war, for the reason that the South have
nothing to oppose them. Tn Baltic,
mounted with a few guns, can blockade as
well as the Niagara. So many merchant
steamers have been taken up by Government,
that an adequate blockading fleet for every
Southern port is or will soon be under weigh.
According TO standards recognized among
military men, the naval force already pro-
vided by us for operating against the rebsls
is equivalent TO a force of one hundred
thousand men in the field. In the present
case it can exert a Eve fold greater power,
because it is in its power to destroy the
profits Of the industry of every man in the
Southern States. Without our consent, not
a bale of cotton, or cask of sugar, rice, or
tobacco, or a barrel of naval stores can be
sent TO market. Suppose an ~effectual block
ade TO be established, what becomes of
Southern finances, Southern armies, South
ern government, and even Southern society,"
Destroy the labor of q country, and you
destroy the country itself. We can quietly
sit down at the North and accomplish all
this with our naval arm. We need not
move q soldier into a single Southern State.
In fact, many think it the better policy to
avoid o collision 81 arms on land, as we
have by means of cur feet the matter en-
tirely in our hands. We can reduce the
enemy to perfect obedience by the slow pro-
cess VI starvation. We must close Southern
ports to save our commercial marine nom
being preyed on by pirates, had we no other
motive.
We have already had most striking illus
~trations ofthe effect of a blockade, whenever
it has been put in vigorous practice. Pro-
visions Of all kinds 60 up from one to hVe
hundred per cent. The South are importers
of food, and the moment the accustomed
channels by which it is received are cut of
starvation stares people in the face. The
suffering is greatly aggravated where large
bodies OF troops are quartered. Provisions
and supplies of all kinds are at famine prices
at Richmond and Charleston. The time fol
Mobile and New Orleans will come Q II
few days from thistle rebellious States viii
have a Gordon drawn aroun them, both upor
sea and land. They will then, cut off from
every market in the world, begin to learI
the extent Of their resources. Why would
not be q good plan to treat them as we do
noisy criminal-give them six months or
year of close confinement Or, if that viii
not do, such a period as will teach then
complete docility and submission. How lonI
will il take to bring Virginia completely Gu
off from Market 70 her senses7 Not long
we fancy. Give the people a good fali tast
Of the effects Of Secession, and they wi
turn upon and hang the knayes that got theI
into the scTape, instead OF threatening to al
tack our Capital. The shortest way to cor
quer peace is 10 make the blockade thoroug
and efftctuAl. Put the South upon a brea(
and-water diet or sin eoarser fare, till y
have a pledge Of better conduct for the futHr