Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-18
9ailg appeal.



EDTToRs APPEAL: Things of passing interest
are indeed so rare that scarcely know of what
70 speak that might either interest CT amuse
you, yet candidly confess, the present aspect Of
affairs leads Us to pause aud consider in what
direction il may please /" the powers that be- to
direct US. Months have now elasped since the
last great combat on Virginia soil but despite
the gigantic preparations for the future, nothing
apparent Of great military significance has trans
pired. True, our forces have been frequently en-
gagged in minor encounters with the enemy, both
at Munson's and adjacent hills, but more than
proving Chat which required no demonstration,
viz y our superiority in the open field, little OF
Importance has occurred. Trivial though such
Slirmishiug might seem, however, its true value
TO the tone and morale Of the army corps en-
gsged, has been great, for opposed as we have
ever been (designedly or otherwise) by impor-
taat odds at all points around Arlington, our
troops have ever maintained the mastery
whether Of infantry, artillery OF other Erms Of
The service.
On the upper Potomac, although trained end
in readiness for on instant move, affairs are stil
unchanged, and what may be the Intentions Of
commanders, for further present action, re-
mains yet shrouied in profound, impenetra-
be mystery. Some persons complain Of tar
GnesS or hesitancy in not attacking and
destroying Arlington ETights, and would thus
seem to impugn the motives or question the
wisdom and industry OF our leaders but except
the most stupid, none would publicly vent such
thoughts, in face Of the names and deeds Of our
counselors and commanders; Tor were II Of
present" eypedency to advance on this line Of
operations, the roar Of artillery would long since
have been heard resounding among the hills and
valleys Of the Potomac, and shaking, perchance
the foundations Of Washington itself But what,
il. probability, would Il at present ntrinsicaly)
profit Us, to sacrifice ten thousand lives in cap
turing the stupendous earth-works Of the enemy
Would it shorten the duration Of The war; Not
8 day, Perchsuce, but simply change their base
Of operations, and present us to the peace
party" Of the North Is bent on conquest, and DE-
lay thst recognition by European courts which
or present modest pressnsiens and glorious
achievements, have welInigh extorted from them.
But considered in every phase it is incontro-
vertible that repeated defeats are mo-
unen'arily strangliug the North, while ysave
the mark . the onus Of attack, with every
responsibility still rests with them! Should they
think proper still to live and buster II the world
wide obloquy that surrounds them as & govern
uentr their reputation, both at home and abroad,
hfzy -
AteTests, for the total prostraton Of trade among
tsm is Fastening ruin. Winter approaches,
ali suffering Of all kinds must prove intense
an awful. Already bankruptcy is the last re-
sorbf stagnated trade, without the remotest
hoptOf victory opening again the channels
OF commerce Can an unemployed people
periodically respond to any addition Of taxes,
barely sndurable even in the piping times Of
peace Already, also, defeat has followed the
tederahsts in European markets, and even under
the eye Of government it IS the necessary
policy Of those at Washington to concili-
ate Routed al home, in repeated engagements,
by forces raw and young, numerically in
ierlor, iuadequately armed. and locking 70
IS victory" in dernior resort for fitting equip-.
meufs and suppies-the enemy have at last
scurYily fallen back, and now screen themselves
behind points of great natural strength, i'm
proved and fortified by every resource and APP
plianee known to science and engineering. If
pride can allow them to be bearded by US daily
in their den, with bat handfol" Of those
rebels they promised Europe to disperse or
ex.eTminate in three weeks war, let them
enjoy in peace the Injuries Of idleness, odiuin,
and bankruptcy, for we are unwilling 10 give
them eUery chance in the confict-inaction de-
stToys them forever. Time viii eventually secure
our fortunes, should we never FIRE single shot
on the offensive. They have ever had more nu-
merous forces, armed and equipped as troops
never were before. Their arsenals and navy
yards have been for months past disgorging
enormOHs quantities Of implements in modern
wsr-miliOns-nay, millions daily have been
wsntonly la1 ished in the prosecution Of schemes,
still victory, thank heaven, perches on
our southern banner Driven As they
have ever been Ike chaff before the wind, when
ever and wherever hard chase prompted any to
appear, il would not be, nor is it, our policy to
waste strength by gratuitously surrendeTing to
the enemy every advantage OF time, position,
force and resource, simply to force them into a
general action. Let them skulk as they now
oowardly do behind fifteen miles OF Notifications
at Arlington; let them bolster up, as usual their
waning faith in "subjugation - by falsehood,
perjury, and unparalleled coercion; still let them
tax their misguided and starving multitudes,
and winter, mayhap, in al its horrors, viii
create storm in their midst, more terrible, by
far, ihsn the southern rebellion itself
Yet. what face can their representatives
abroad put upon the present aspect Of affairs,
disaster upon disaster following them day by
day. Think you, Europe Is blind to the pro-
gress and importance Of events Could It be
Ieve the lying-nasters al the North, it cannot
discredit impartial diaries transmitted BY its own
reliable and accredited agents in our midst, nor
viii present quiet Be misunderstood. Many
qualifications are required OF commanders more
than inimsl courage or industry patience, (and
patient inaction) should be included There Is
such virtue IS mastery inactivity few
appreciate its importance and meaning. Our
councillors and commanders, however, ere ex-
cepiiOns, knowing beyond doubt that inaction
ct this very hour Is fast rOtting away the very
shreds Of compromise" reconstruction
" subjugstion," and all nonsense Of the kind
ever entertained 10y the masses opposed to Us,
while defeat and disaster, aud tax, and coercion
grinds them down to pitiable poverty and incer-
titude, but necessarily awakening spirit Of in
quiry correspondent to that which aroused the
people Of Britain to the folly and fratricidal CO.
ercion Of George III, in I776. Our states
nlen aud country have not been making
the gigantic preparations tor few
weeks campaign in the summer months
the old enemy envies too much our prospective
glory and independence to quietly acquiesce in
cODciliatory measures, or peaceful separation,
and to effectively enforce respect, and inspire
fear, great sacrifices have still to be made; for
poor as we are, we have to manfully fight single
handed against those who possess all the accu-
mulated wealth and resources of fifty years of
prosperity and preparation. Ours is a nation Of
yesterday, tottering in its infancy-theirs one
nearly century old With closed ports and
finance entirely dependent on purest selfsacri-
fee and patriotism, would it be we'll to (say the
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