Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-04
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 4, 1861.
The business in Hand--Faets 10 be
Constantly Remembered.

The business in Hand--Faets 10 be
Constantly Remembered.
Eleven of the late United States have de-
eIared, in their own way and at their own
time. their independence of the Federal Gov
eminent established by a common ancestry
and subyerted in all its essential parts by the
administrative agents inauguraied over it on
the fourth day of last March. This act we
call Neutrality-suspicious. call it secession by
both names our right to take this step is de-
MED by the authorities representing the
other States of the late Union. Thereupon
arose at the outset conflict OF theory and
Of right asserted bat denied. The conflict OF
theory has led to conflict of arms, and the
result il that we are in the midst of war
The object of this war Is, on the part OF the
North, to compel the revolutionary, seeding,
or rebellious States back into the Union {; on
the part of the South, it is to maintain their
asserted independence, and to compel the
North to acknowledge it. Both sides are
bound to act. and 10 continue to act as two
separate natioualiIies until the question is
decided.
The only obstruction to an open field and
a fair fight, is the anomalous condition OF
three States-Missouri, Kentucky and Mary
Iand-each of which have peculiar reasons
to take part with the South, and also have
reasons to adhere to the Union. These rea-
sons. antagonistic in themselves, have pro-
duced divisions among the people of those
States-resulting, in the case OF Missouri,
in an armed conflict between her own eItl-
zens-a part being for and assisted by the
North, the rest being for and assisted by the
South. Kentucky has endeavOred to steer
clear of both and declared iher neutrality
In our opinion she will not be permitted to
maintain that attitude by the powers at
Washington for any great length OF time,
and viii finally, if the war continue, come
into the same position occupied by Missouri
the theatre of conflict among her own
people, assisted respectively by the North and
the South Maryland is for the present bow
ed beneath the yoke of the despOtisn at
Washington, being under the rule of the Fed
eraI military. She furnishes little OF no aid
TO the North, except as a passway for offen-
sive operations against the South, yet send
ing many of her sons to participate with the
Soutb in the struggle. If left free her course
would be probably similar to that of the
other two. Such is the present status of these
three States but it may be so changed by
events as to bring them, as States, into line
with the South. Whatever position they may
finally assume, the war, it is clear, must go
on. The contest between the Northern des-
potism and Southern freedom cannot walt
for them. Ia the hurry and rush of the times
the parties to the struggle must and will con-
suit their interest and means OF success.
The South has won two most brilliant VIC
tories. The North lost three months at Ma
nassas Plains. They lost twO-thirds OF Mis-
sour; at Oak Hill. The North has gained
AT Hatteras a foothold in North Carolina,
and a base of future military operations,
either for the further invasion of the State,
or for additional ravages of the Southern
coast. Neither of our brilliant victories were
followed to their possible results. Washing
ton ought to have been ours in the one case,
and million ana half OF war stores IN the
other-that is, if we had been equal to our
advantages, and ready for the occasion. we
do not complain of those in charge OF these
matters. who were on the ground. They
knew better than we.
The Fall and Winter campaign is coming
on apace. The chill September nights are
already upon u.s. Why may we not turn
over a new leaf Our enemy is powerful,
and, since his reverses, willy. During the
simmer the fever guarded our coast; we have
no such ally for the winter. Our enemy sees
this. He is already coming with his fleets to
assolate our coasts. At the same time bis
land forces are seeking winter quarters in the
SAMMY Soutb. He will do both, if he is not
beaten back, if he is not sent home to take
care of his concerns there. We had as well
loot the matter in the face. The war is not |
ended-it is barely commenced, If the enemy |
can get men and money to carry 1t on. Ill
North Carolina is no better guarded ihan a'
Hntteras. what obstruction is there to nos
,i,a march to Raleigh Thence could he not
throw a column upward to Petersburg and
in the direction of Norfolk, and thence with |
another column from Fort Monroe towards |
Richmond? In that event who will guaran-
go Western Virginia, or East Tennessee, or
the valley of the Mississippi we cannot
rely on the disturbing elements existing IN
Missouri. Kentucky and Maryland for safety
or success. Our own strong arms and brave
hearts must be our shield. Doubtless we
are vulnerable-so also is our enemy. If we
stand still till he strikes us at our weak
points. we lose everything we have gained
and great deal more. 1t is our business to
strike him at his weak points, and thus shield
ourselves
To come to the business in hand, we must
.eud the Hessians home to take care OF their
own concerns. We can do it. Our men are
nat only able, but willing and anxious to
f;obt. We have the vantage ground We
ore driving Roseeranz: We have necessita-
ted martial law in Missouri We have re-
nnlsed them and sent them back to Washing
,o,. We have compelled them to reorganize
,ha;,. programme, and we have compelled
-, a., dismiss their commanders and sub
.,i,,,s new ones We cannot stop; but We
nc, rive them work at home for the coming
winter.
- Onr enemies always have decidedly |