Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-08-30
Tne Two Points of Attack ana Dc.
fense. ,-.s..

If the rebel leaders do not seriously contem
plate an invasion Of the Northern States, they
at least seem determined to extend their sway
II possbe, over the entire area Of the slave
States. WIKI this end in view, they are con-
centrsting their forces at two principal points
in Virginia on the Potomac and in Southern
Missouri. Theae may be said, therefore, 70
form the two grand points Of atisck and de-
tense. etse a''-
The success Of The rebels in the East would
give them the National pital and the com
mand Of the Chesapeake. The latter would
enable them to control the Northern and West
ern trade cehtering at Baltimore The prestige
of possessing the Federal City would go far to-
ward inducing foreign powers. to torecOgnize their
Confederacy. ~.
Bat Il Is nearly or quite as Important to the
rebels TO get ST Louis and Missouri within
their grasp. They could then dispute the nav
ieation Of the Mississippi to the mouth Of the
Ohio, and control IL beloS that point. The en-
tire trade of the. Northwest Southwark would
be to great extent under their direct control.
There is, moreover, pressing want in the
rebel army, which can be Supplied from the
possession of the lead mines of Missouri.
The attention of the people of the loyal
States has been. chiefly directed to Washington
and the Potomac. Bat SO rapidly and in such
numbers are Federal troops concentrating In
that quarter, that there does not seem to be the
least ground for apprehension for the safety oil
the National Capital. With Fortress Monroe
which is the key Of the Chesapeake, in our pos
session, the designs of the rebels on Baltimore
and Maryland would eeem to be effectually
check-mated. E8Il[
Il is to be feared that our government and
the people Of the loyal States hardly rate high
enough the Importance of driving the rebel
marauders out Of Missouti. 1t has been said
that their demonstration upon that State'xas1
merely o. feint TO draw attention away from
Washington and Eastern Virginia. But 1t is
evident that there are almost as strong reasons
Why they should desire the conquest OF ST.:
Louis and Missouri, as of Washington and
Maryland. r- us ,s,ts..tt ,ga
There car, be no question that in Missouri
what, in en- election, would be called can over
whelming majority" desire to be freed from the
presence of the secession forces, and to remain
in the Union. The State Convention, called
through secession influence, refused to vote the
State out of the Union. This and other indi-
cations we could name clearly show that the
great body Of the people in Missouri are loyal
to the Union. $50 -ss ssof
Missouri belongs to the great Northwest.-I
By her, We Of the other Northwestern States
sbould stand or fall Our interests and hers
are mutual and inseparable. Our first great
and earnest efforts, therefore, should be made,
not only to save Missouri from the grasp Of the
Secession Confederacy, but her soil from pill
Isee, and her loyal people from destruction, BY
the reckless and iniuriated bands Of the rebel
soldiery. a
Il Is q matter Of coBgratulation tha. the Fed
eral troops are concentrating at 81. Louis and
at other points in Missouri, and that loyal Mis-
souriaps are ih great numbers railying under
the Union Dag. Bot il necessary, the Federal
force there should be Immediately increased to
ten times it's present number. II due to the
Northwest as whole as well as to Missouri as
a sister State, that the invaders should at once
be driven beyond her borders, ~