The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-02-11
WORDS FIFTY SPOKEN.
Speech of Hon. j. A. Gurley in Congress
--Who is Holding Back the Army !-'
Failure of the IS Anaconda Plan
Light Ahead.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 80, 1862.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 80, 1862.
Mr.. GuRLEY of Ohio got the floor and
discussed the miserable failure of the
past campaign. 1t was useless, he said,
to attempt to disguise fact almost
everywhere recognized, that we must
have more active and practical wal
policy in Congress, in the Cabinet, but
more especially in the field or we
might prepare for foreign and domestic
war of several years duration Proceed
ing. as at present, with our military
campaign, it would be no strange thing
to have the Southern Confederacy y
acknowledged by Foreign Powers, and
our Government would then stand before
the civilized world Inundated and dis
graced Our army had long been ready,
and our soldiers were burning with desire
to strike at the traitors, and painting for
the battle field.
We had earnestly cast about for bold
and daring leader, ready for the great
contest, and it is painful to confess at this
late day that the country has looked In
vain for a Commander-in Chief, exhibit
ing the will and the requisite enterprise
and genius to lead our forces on to vic
tory. lie asked what stood in the way
Of meeting the enemy Was it the fear
that somebody would be hurt, or did the
ghost of Bull Run hover about the minds
Of our commanding generals ? We had
lost more men by disease and sickness
during the last five months than we
should have probably lost in half a dozen
general engagements, and hundreds OF
millions of money had been spent, and
one of the largest armies Of the world
gathered, to remain comparatively idle,
and become weak and demoralized By
inactivity. III we desired the respect OF
our own people, strike out boldly for vic
tory, and trust to good powder, 10 well
aimed guns, and to God. 1t would be
better 10 meet with occasional reyerses
rather than TO remain inactive. Ii we
did moi fg ght with justice, right and hu-
man freedom on our side, our people
would become discouraged, the Treasury
bankrupt, and the Government brought
tie way to hold In check more than holt' a
! Million of men, take him ot OF The gay,
give his place to another, il there be no
other remedy. Generals, of themselves,
are nothing in this contest, when thrown
into the balance against the honor and
integrity OF the Union. Ii the Angel
Gabriel commanded our forces, and
failed to march against the enemy, he
would petition to the Court 10 which he
holds allegiance for his instant dismissal.
This war had reached point where
kid gloves, pleasant words, and gilded
promises, were Of 10 use. The hour de-
manded hard words. ard harder blows.
This contest must close either in ruin Of
a Republic that has been the admiration
of the world, anl possibly the destruc
ton of civil and religious freedom in
America. or in the perfect supremacy OF
law aud order, and the stability of our
institutions. He had faith in the latter
result, for revolutions moved the world
forward never backward. lie asked
the Clerk TO read passage from the
Richmond Dispatch. showing up our
military blunders It's truthfuuess. he
said, could not be denied. We had let
slip golden opportunities fer crushing
this rebellion and Of achieving brilliant
victories.
The great cause of dissatisfaction
among our troops was that they were not
permitted to strike at the rebels. He
preferred no charges against the Com
manderi in Chief but in his judgment
the man did not live who could success
fully command 100000 men. scattered
over territory of two thousand miles.
Yet the destiny of this Republic had long
hung upon the will Of a single man. No
other Government invested its generals
with such unlimited authority. No mau
had been found great enough 10 use the
supreme command OF even three, hundred
thousand soldiers. A part OF the tremen.
dous burden thrown upon the shoulders
/ of our General should be removed and
divided. SO as 10 call out the best ener-
gies OF the best officers. and secure great
unity of action. Thus far our command.
ers have been the ricttms Of some fixed.
unal,erable plans, the fruit Of one mind