New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-08
THE REBEL PROSPECTS.
F,o- The M,npht, dppedt Jar. 10.


The Potomac IL safe, owing 10 the Sood
character oil its defenses, the excellent organization
of our army there and the superior quaiity OF our
officers and the number OF our forces. Nor nave we
much to fear from the coast, 50 long az orr su'no'-
ties State and national. are as Nlgilant IN Us pro-
lection az they have been since the d,sgsesiui Al
IA n al lIstiera. and Port Royal. But the war In
Kentucky, sloug our orthern frontier from yum
berlanG Gap 20 Columbus, il assuming propcrlons
40 ,renend6u. as to demand the fullest euersies OF
the Coniederacy ia meeting sud diving oaoK t9e
invader. Belmont and Fishing Creek have ohiy
inflated the terrible shock Of arms that IL 70 mark
the sequel 4 movement is already rrogTesslng IN
Western Kentucky threatening the siese OF C9iun-
bus 4 rAidable denOnst alton ID reported AZ oeins
made upon Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River,
Buell. with d large army, inaDeuvers Win ms 'otsoe
within the vicinity Of Bowling Green, waiting Tor
his chance to stack johnston and finally, Thomas
threatens an advance into East Tennessee, after
having ysnqui-bsd the army OF Cr,iteDden'
Such is the situation Of affairs that oonironts US
ing indeed but not terrible; full oil sfic'nde,
but not OF apprehension or despondeney' our Poo-
ple We believe. are equal 10 the occasion. WIN a
proper degree Of patience and self@erhce on thei'
part aud Of vgor and energy on that Of our hl'i''
iary authorities, are destined To pass tnrOusn hc
ordeal purified, strengthened, and gloriously tri'
umpha l. Let this last mig hty aggression Of blood
,tsined tyranny be successfully resisted, ts min
ionr be driven back in disaster and defeat, ana the
backbone Of the war will be broken, the sublugB-
ton Of the South Acknowledged failure, aud con
summation achieved that viii place us nearer TO n
conquered peace than the most sanguine patriot
dreams OF At the present portentous hour.
F,o- The Ma. O,l,aas Delta.
Standing upon the defensive before an
enemy notori0u.ly ou;numbering our forces along
the whole frontier OF war, who was able to deilo-
eratey mature his plans and choose his lines OF ~.
ya.ion. it would have siguiiied m insane disregard
II probabilities or y prosumptuoue claim upon the
vor OF Pro, idencs to have counted upon the failure
Of the Confederate arms ri no place and under no
ci .cunsiances. however untoward the situation,
whatever official ndiscretion might aggrayate the
uniowardneS. r.
one thing the country and the army will look Tor
and il will I've grievous disappointment II their
reasonable expectation should not be grs'ited-tha;
is swift and eifectual compensation OF the recent
d.sster with an enormous interest. The Conieder'
acy cannot afford 70 rest long under defeat. From
tho Potomac TO the Mississippi every part OF lis ne
Of defense i. equally vital II must recover Is fast
a. il loser ground, tue line viii be broken, snd
the whole system OF Southern defense thrown into
coufusion The other day il might have seemed iri-
material whether we met the enemy half way or
PATIENTLY awaited The developments Of his forward
movement" The other day II might have been op'
tionsry in the Confederate 10 bring on or decline
bsttl Now we must recover los, ground, though
n be AZ the hazard of hundred battles and tens Of
thou sands VI slam.