Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-25
aTHf S1ruAT1nr.,l-Thls is the standinp

"THE SITUATION. This is the standing
head for a daily editorial from several lead
ing newspapers, in which they review the sit
uation of the army and the prospects of the
war We feel that we have neglected our
duty in the above respect and are anxious to
make amends. The Plain Dealer has been
ahead Of us on " the situation " all along, we
confess it with shame. Whether it was bet
ter situated than we to review the situation,
being located at the junction Of three differ
ent streets, or whether its back windows com
mand a more extended view than ours, it has
given two views to our one and has knocked
the socks of from US on situations.
A lengthy editorial in last evenings Plain
Dealer on the Z" State of the Country is an
other ugly reminder of our neglect in the
matter alluded to. 1t opens thus:
1" It is we'll occasionally to, as it were, stop
and take q review Of the country, as it is
The first point that arrests the attention is,
that war is becoming more and more the all
absorbing question"
We agree fully with our cotempOrary. 1t
is, as it were, well enough, and perhaps bet
ter, to, now and then, and again Oftener, re-
view the country, as it is, and, as, it, wants,
all for to be. We also agree with the asser-
tion, II and we admire the boldness, amounting
almost to recklessness, with which it is made)
that the all absorbing question of the day is
becoming more and more absorbing. Being
the first point that arrests the attention, at
tentiOn is very naturally arrested thereby.
The editor speculates on the duration of
the war:
Then, again, how long Is the war to be
continued? Every one will see that this de-
pends almost entirely upon the policy pur-
sued, and the energy with which that policy
shall be carried into effect"
This is so important proposition that a
little farther down he gives it to US again in
a little different form:
"The length of time this war will continue,
greatly depends upon tine policy pursued,
and the yigOr with which it is prosecuted"
That is to say, if something should be done
to shorten the war, it wont last SO long as it
would if it wasn't shortened any.
Observe the deep significance of the follow
ing questions:
How is this war to be ended2 Who
knows? Who can tell?"
Too true, too true. How can the war be
ended? Who knows anything? Who thinks
about it? Where? Who wont tell not any
thing? Widow who?
With regard to the length of the war tho
editor is careful not to commit himself. He
shreWdly says:
As the war has not yet reached its height,
we might infer that it viii continue at least
one or two years. Our prediction has been
that The Great Battle will take place during
1858. After that the end may be reached
during 1854 or 1865-perhaps sooner"
There We must beg leave to differ with our
eotemporary. We think if the war is not
closed within two years from now it will be
found to have run over twelve months. We
believe to, and we call upon the Plain Deal
er to mark our prediction, that if there is
great battle and It takes place in 1858, it will
come of some time next year, if not sooner
After that the end of the world may be
reached during the coming century.