Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-01-28

The Prologue and the Performances.

II 1UAx4AA IL IL ~ ~A1A4V -
The Prologue and the Performance.
The Nashville Banner hap pens to hare on hand
a few "elegaat extracts'' from Yankee papers
about the time that hostilities broke out. In the
light of subsequent events, they give grotesque
illustration of the ideas with which the heroes OF
Bull Run entered into the war, and enable US to
determine with what measure OF success they
have executed their programme. 8NIEs1a
The first quotation of the Banner is from the
New York Times, edited by that remarkable mil
itary genius, Raymond. Says the Times - ~
Let US make quick work. The ssrebellion'' as
some people designate it, is yet an unborn tad
pole. Let us not fall into the delusion, noted
by Hallam, mistaking sslocal commotion'' for
rev olutcn. A strong, active stpull altogether
will do our work efectually in thirty days. We
have only to send q column OF rs, 600 mon across
the Potomac to Richmond, and burn out the rats
there; another column of 25, 900 to Cairo, seiz.
ing the cotton ports Of the Mississippi; and re-
tanning the remaining rs, 900 ncuded in Mr.. Lin
coins call for $4,000 men, at Washington, moi
because there is a need for them there, but be-
cause we do not require their services elsewE are
Rare military genius sse
But the Tribune, every ready, ever willing, to
take hand in any Dragging or bullying, united
with the Times in this wise -
l. Wesdo not regard the Southern revolt, as any.
thing more, nor less, than the natural recourse
| of all mean-spirited and defeated tyrannies, to
rule or ruin, marking Of course a wide distnc-
tion between the ,viH and the poaoer, for the
hanging Of traitors is sure to begin, before one
month is over. The nations of Europe may rest
assured, that JEFF. Davis & Co., will be swinging
from the battlements at Washington, at least by
the 4th Of July. We spit upon Q later and Ion
ger deferred justice. aass, 80 ~ ~ sa1 i se
The philosopher has somewhat changed his
tune. Indeed, az the war progressed the air was
changed to suit circumstances. For example,
Iatfsr the much anticipated 4th of July, we find
Greely speaking in such terms as these - go
a. We were somewhat deceived in our general es-
innate of the strength of the rebels. We are
now assured that they are better equipped, than
we had at first supposed. But still rapid and
decided advance on Richmond would settle the
whole matter. sz s,.t s5yssi-sss = 49,
In the outset the Herald, it will be remember
ed, was strongly Southern. It spoke differently
and sensibly. Here is Benefits reply to the
Times article above quoted:
The sslittle william (Kaymond of the Times)
has turned General He marks out noble cam
paign. It will be observed, however, that he
studiously avoids anything more than generali-
ties, as well he may, for within thirty days, we
now tell him and his whole gang OF ruffians there
will be heard such howl as was never dreamed
OF. The South cannot be run over with rs, 600
men. zOO, 900 cannot more than reach Richmond
But, listen to what Forney saidl We take
flying skip-over to the Quaker City. Let US look
at the Press:
N man of sense can for moment doubt that
m noh dn ohonf
With such man as Mr.. Cameron in the War De-
partment, such another as Mr.. Lincoln over the
civil, and such generals as we have, led by the
sshero Of an hundred battles,'' we are simply in
vlnclble. The rebels, mere. band of ragamuf-
fms, will fly like chaf before the wind on our ap-
proach.
The West was as violent as the North or the
East. In the States of Iowa and Wisconsin,
among the infdel Dutch, led on by Carl Schurz,
the individual who spoke of Divinity as ssthe
gentleman who lives beyond the stars" no rein
was drawn upon the wild fanaticism. In Illinois,
too, there was fever of morbid violence. The
Chicago Tribune opened its batteries with
| sweeping demand, that the West be allowed to
| fight the battle through, since she was probably
the most interested in the suppression of the re-
bellion, and the free navigation of the Missis-
sppi.
Let the East get out of the way; this is war
of the West. We can fight the battle, and sue
cessfully, within two or three months at farthest
Illinois can whip the South by herself We in
sist on the matter being turned over to US.
! The Cincinnati Commerc In commenting
upon the claims of the West, remarked that ssthe
West ought to be made the vanguard of the
War''-and proceeded: a
We are akin by trade and geography with Ken
lucky, Tennessee and Missouri, and in sentiment
to the noble Union patriots, who have q maiori-
ty of three to one in all those States. An Ohio
army would be received with joy in Nashville,
and be welcomed in speech of congratulation
| by Andrew Johnson. Crittenden and Frank Blair
are keeping Kentucky and Missouri all right
The rebellion will be crushed out out before the
ssassemblage OF Gongress-no doubt of it.'
Not a paper at that time, which had the re.
motest idea of the conflict; not journalist,
who rose to the emergencies of the occasional
was passion, rant and bombast. From the Chief
Executive down to the lowest constable, the
raging idea Of sswping out the South, can EASY
conquest" i" and 30 on, went roaring, like prai
rie on fire, from right to left, from left to right.
consuming all before it. Even now they are not
undeceived; but we do not despair Of bringing
them to their senses by few more lessons.
l D. Il.