Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-10-19
From the Richmond Dispatch
ON TO ASHIN TON!
John u: : MGINH 3,Ii; ! Com,
W. j. STUART, '0"''
Oct. 9th, 1860.
HY GEO. FITZHrGH.

Although the exertions of the North in carrying
against us, the magnitude of its preparations
and the number of its forces have far exceeded any
apprehcnSionS entertained when hostilities com
menced yet its has fallen still further short
Of those apprehensions. We feared, yet expected
and were prepared TO bear up against, an invasion
into the very heart of the South We knew that
each step of advance, on their part, would weaken
their force and increase means obedience. Had
the " Grand Army" fought at Culpcper Court House
instead of Manassas the Grand Army" would now
have been thing of the past. The fate of Brad
dock, Burgoyne, Corvallis Ross, and Packenham
had taught US to believe that any serious invasion
of The South would be attended with utter deStruc
ton to the invaders.
But instead of invading us, our enemy has been
exhausting his resources both in men and money,
in defending Washington They now boast that it
is impregnable as Gibraltar. Wo DO not believe
that but on the contrary think that with immense
LOSS of life on our part we might take it, yet it is
certainly their strongest point, defended it by
the broad Potomac, by their feet which commands
its navigation, by immense artificial Notifications,
and by army of hundred and fifty thousand
men. 1t is their strongest point, and they invite
and advise us to attack it Shall we turn fOohardy
and swear like the school-boys that we won't take
a dare" or shall we assail them where they are
weakest not where they are strongest?
Suppose they winter in Washington, is not that
look coolly at their position next spring, and see
that after year of active hostilities, after many
disastrous defeats and victories after the loss in
camp or on the battlefield of hundred thousand
lives and after the expenditure of five hundred mil
lions of dollars they have not begun to invade
the South; but on the contrary, have lost Missouri
and Kentucky, which belonged to them when the
war begun-and almost lost Maryland-is it pro-
bable that they will be disposed to carry on any
longer so hopeless war?
But if we could take Washington, would it be
advisable to do so So far, the North has cxpend-
ed almost all its men and means in defending that
city. 1t has few forces munitions of to send
to Missouri or Kentucky, or to Western Virginia !;
but on the contrary, is continually removing forces
from the West to strengthen its capital and increase
its Pretorian Guard ESQ that matter what be-
comes of the Republic, the sacred persons of Lin
coin, Scott and Mcclellan, shall receive no detri-
ment The defence of Washington has completely
parayzed the strength of the North. If we take it.
iincon's body guard of hundred and fifty thou
sand will be at once available as a force wherewith
to invade the South.
Cincinnati and Philadelphia have none of the
strength of position, natural or artificial which
Washington enjoys, and are much more inviting
points OF attack
If we march into Maryland, we must leave half
of our army on this side to prevent the enemy's
advance on Richmond. Then, the two divisions of
our army would have very precarious and made
uuate means Inter communication, of concerted
action, whilst the enemy, holding the Potomac with
abundant means of speedy transportation, could at
any time bring his whole force to bear on either
half of ours. Besides, New York and Pennsylvania
would send another hundred thousand men, in
week, into Maryland, to defend the capital. Whence
could we obtain any considerable number of troops
where with to strengthen an invading army I? How
long would it take to recruit them and bring them
to the shores of the Potomac? And, when brought
there, what surety have we that we could transport
them into Maryland?
We shall do well if we compel our enemies to
winter in Washington. Shall risk everything
in the rash and perilous effort to do better? When
time, means, and opportunity combine to make it
prudent and advisable to On to Washington" we
have no doubt our army will Inarch to the assault
Until then, may quietly repose on the laurels
which we have already won in many field Be-
sides, if we are not advancing in the East we are
advancing in the West, where there are no precious
souls like Lincoln Scott and Mcclellan to be guard
ed and defended. On,the whole the war has every
where been conducted with success and ability on
our part and we room for complaint or
repining.