Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-03

another column, gives sharp and with all
rather sarcastic rebuke upon the apparent in
activity of the Federal army on the Potomac,
which we must acknowledge is expressive of
a growing feeling among the masses at the
North. In inserting the communication we
do not, Of course, endorse all that the writer
says, but to a certain extent have participated
n the same feeling. But are these criticisms
justl Taken as an isolated army, the two or
three hundred thousand soldiers encamped
before Washington have as yet apparently
accomplished but little in the work OF sup
pressing the rebellion, save the single pur-
pose of keeping the rebel army in Virginia at
bay and preventing their seizure Of 'he ma
tional capital. But when we consider the
vast amount Of work that is being accom-
plished in other portions Of the Union, and
the gigantic preparations that are being made
to strike an effectual blow at the heart Of Sc
cessa, all Of which go to mate up the grand
scheme for final victory. we cannot with JUS
tice point TO the inactivity of our army on the
Potomac with anything like the structures
which our correspondent makes.
The successes which have but recently at
tended the federal army in Missouri. and the
severe lessons there taught the rebels Of the
summary manner in which they are to be
dealt with, and the almost absolute certainty
of their final defeat in that state the gigantic
preparations that are being made at st. Louis
and Cairo in fitting out formidable fleet for
operations down the Mississippi river TO be
met by a similar force from New Orleans uu-
der Gen. Butler; the renewed activity Of the
Unionists in Kentucky and the desperate con-
dition of the rebels in that state the utter
route of the rebels in Western Virginia, open
ing mp thoroughfare for the fankiug Of the
at Manassas the active preparations that are
going on at Fortress Monroe, and the fitting
out Of the expedition under Gen. Burnside,
which is to operate in connection with-we
know not precisely what or where, but sup
pose they land at Ha.teras and take posses
sion Of North Carolina, thereby cutting off
the communication Of the main rebel army in
Virginia from the southern ports the forti-
flying of the petitions held by the federal ar
mo in and around Port Royal; the advantage
that our forces now bold over the rebels in
the gulf of Mexico all these gigantic move
ments must be taken into the account when
estimating the work that is being accomplish
ed by the War Department, and even by the
army on the Potomac. The main body Of 'iIv
rebel army is yet ontIenched before Washing
ton, and so long as Gen. Mcclellan holds
them by force which they dare not encoun-
ter, so long will the southern ports remain
comparatively unprotected, aud our oeeupa-
'.-- q tbar' ba sure though slow in the 80.
plishment. Any considerable Weakening o.
the rebel force at Manassas would lead To .
forward movement on the part Of Gen. Me
Clellau. who holds himself in readiness &
strike whenever he is sure that the blow vii
result in a victory. And while the rebels arr
I thus being held At Manassas, they are beinl
I slowl, but surely weakened on their southerl
coast. by the loss of harbor after harbor an'
forufcatiou after fertilization, until IN the eu'
they will find themselves pressed on all side
by a force which they will be unable to with
stand The federal army is not wholly inact
i've, SO long as they are so arranging th
pieces" as to surely " checkmate' the rebel
in the end.
We wish, for the credit Of the federal ar
my, that the set of hungry cormorants VIII
are feeding and fattening on the very life
blood of our country, and who care more 70
the fat slices that fall from Unele Sans tabi
than for any particalar1loye they bear 70 q
Union. coald be banished .iIoro y. -ne army (;
.4--rneso tnugs must needs be endured until
son can ho remedied and the guilty ones pun
hey ed aud held up to the scorn and indigua
,,aii, Of an outraged country. This is being d
-om and that too most eifectually, by the in
legations now being made by Congress
has we hope the committee viii make thor'
and work, and ALLOW no guilty party, however
in the throne, to 20 unexposed
10
aNh- r., w a. .rrYpp has haen rs hckle o.