The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-01
Words of Cheer

The New York Eveaiag Post sums up
the causes of the gloom and dependency
pervading the public mind in reference to
our national affairs, and considers, in the
following words, how little reason there is
for this state of mind
In the first place, though our military
movements have not been as successful as
we could wish, though we have committed
prodigious blunders of management, we
have nevertheless accomplished great things.
We hold the entire rebel coast we have
opened the Mississippi as far as Vicksburg;
we control every one of the border states
save North Carolina, where we have con-
siderable dominion, and Eastern Virginia !;
and our armies are all still in safe positions,
and most of them in good and commanding
positions. The devotion of the people to
the Union remains unbroken. The spirit
of self.sacrifice still pervades the masses
If they do not enlist as rapidly as they
did year ago, it is BOT for the want OF pa
triotism. Various causes have concurrad
to chill the first enthusiasm, but none to
suppress it. The determination to crush
the revolt is more resolute than ever. We
see, clearer than at any time before, the
causes of that revolt, and are more resolved
to etrike at the causes. We see now that
we are engaged with willy, resolute and
a desperate enemy, and we are convinced
that he is only to be overcome by fighting
him as an enemy. There will be no more
guarding of rebel property, no more return.
ing of rebel slaves to support his armies, no
more play at war, but actual work. The
unanimlty OF our conviction as to the ne-
cessity OF more stringent and energetic
measures is itself worth score OF victories.
Again, there seems to US less danger of
foreign intervention now than there was six
months ago. The governments and people
abroad have learned that nothing is to be
gained by their interference. They might
put an end to the civil war thereby, but only
at the cost of more protracted foreign war.
Cotton and tobacco would be as far from
their reach as ever. The portion of these
commodities that has not been destroyed
could hot be easily transported to the
oceans On the oceans it would not be safe
from our cruisers. On the most favorable
turn of events the foreigners must wait till
the next crop, and not be sure of getting
any considerable supply even then. Arms
cannot force the result; diplomacy is impo-
tent; and the restoration of the Union alone
is their best reliance.
Finally: We have been depressed by our
own reverses, but have we thought what
the reverses OF the rebels have been? Is
there much joy in Richmond? Were not
their armies on half rations before the great
battles, and are they any better now? De-
pend upon it, if we do not know the secrets
of that prison house, it is because it would
be dangerous to let US know them. Such
glimpses as we have had, through desert.
ers, returning captives and fugitive women,
Provisions are scarce and high; supplies
come in slowly; the losses in battle have
been immense; and the leaders in spite OF
their late successe, are respondent. We
have good reason for saying, too,
that the late legislation of Congress has
produced high degree of alarm The
threat of cou6scation and of the emancpa
ton OF the slaves is already working its eff
fects. 1t proves the earnestness of the
North it shows the day of Cancellation is
passed it offers no other alternative but
submission or destruction. But, more than
all, it warns the daring powers of the South
that the North has at length awakened to
the perception that slavery is no longer a
civil but military question, and that it
will hereafter be treated exclusively in the
light of military law. They know what
that means; They know the consequences,
and they tremble when they look ahead.
With our resources then comparatively
untouched, with the spirit of the people
alive, with better perceptions of the nature
of the work before us, we lack but one
thing, and that is proper decision and en-,
ergy on the part of the Government. Let
it not shrink from its duties. The path is
plain before it and the men and the means
are at hand. General Halleck, who as
sumes the command, is man of ability and
knowledge and he has it in his power to
achieve the most splendid fame that ever
was won by mortal. But to do that his
motto must be that of the old Athenian Or
tor-actiOn-actiOn- action.
H., (,yruo Idrich roturnod 49,