The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-03-29
TIE RECENT WAR POLICY.

TIE RECENT WAR POLICY.
The recent change in the policy Of
conducting the war or. rather, the ma
turiiy Of the plan which brought about
the seeming change (for We think there
has beeu a change ouiwardly only. and
not in the purpose Of the adminis,ra-
ton meets with the hearty approval Of
all the loyal citizens of the country. As
We have before shown, our first policy
was to cneate a force upon which We
could rely-an army which would tell
by its weight when il moved. But so
soon as that army was fully in the field,
armed and equipped. then i, ought to
ssosv. And we see how these move-
ments tX. No such effect could have
been produced BY precipita;ing an un-
disciplined mass of ras recruits upon
the enemy. a
Blu. we Lave 10 thank Providence for
our success in very high degree. for
if it had not been for special interposi-
tons in our behalf, we could not have
gained. ihe victories We die. The sud-
den and unexpected rise in tie Cum
befland and Tennessee rivers, at the
very time the orders for an aggressive
and onward movement we're issued
from Washington. thereby enabling our
guDboais to ascend those rivers, can
not be regared in any other light than a
special blessing from the hand Of a
kind Providence, who rules the nations.
and without whose notice not even a
sparrow fal'esh to the grounI." By
the aid of ihis rise. our troops and
munitions of war have been taken for
ward into the very midst of the
enemy's country with an ease. speed
and cheapness which could no. have
bsen realized BY land transportation.
Indeed, il is no, certain that baggage
wagons could have gone a. all. SO bad
wsre the roads. But the high stage o.
water in these streams enabled ou,
generals 10 60 with the speed OF steam
and the rebels had no time TO con
ccntrate their forces for any second
stand.
But we have wan Tered fror our pu,
pose. The developed policy Of The
government enables Mcclellan to take
she fed. This will doubtless be a
matter OF congra.ula ion on Ike tart Of
the youthful leader Of The Union ar.
mics. Hc has patiently borne the
abuse and impalience of those who
heaped calamny and ridicule upon him.
because he felt consciousness that he
was iight and they we're wrong. and
that all their obloqay was the resaI. OF
ignorance or envy, and thar time would
determine the wisdom Of his policy.
1t requires more courage to Withstand
the pressure of public sentiment and
the snecrs of those who ought to be
friends. than il does TO face the foe in
LIS field. The rebels have hated Me-
Ciel'an's generalship as intensely as the
half-witted pcnny-a-liners have fel.
satisfied with their gibes and their
senseless "ringing upon its changes"
the ihread-bare remark, "all quiet up
on the Potomac" Ills policy has been
death to the traitors and their govern.
men.: and now that he has taken tie
field for active duty. We may cxpec, to
hear VI results which will eclipse his
brilliant achievements. in Western vir-
giuia-unless the rebels con.inue to
rxa. ses
The hearts Of loyal citizens will also
rejoies that FRxxox1 has been restored
70 ths cemnasd Of a-Depar,men: and
will again take the Geld for active duty.
His Department embraces the noun
hineus districts Of the country. ,w:.ers
bis feriilitv Of resources viii be IRE.
queutly called into requisition: He
has not as many men as he ought 10
hare: but We presume these vii Be
furnished him. and that the heroic
PAfRysEpEs Who has traversed the de-
serts and scaled the rugged summits
Of the Rocky Mountains viii record
his name ;ndelably upon the mountains
and valleys Of Kentucky. Virginia.
Tennessee .Alsbama and Georgia. We
hsve no fesr but lie will make his mark
- that treason will feel it.
Gen. Halleck has very large De-
psrtment. too large We, think for one
man. Bat he is : splendid officer; and
though we object 70 his policy in re-
ference to con.rabands and fugitive
slaves ~ .sterly unworthy Of great