The national Republican., 1862-10-28
THE SITUATION.

When Virginia determined upon the overt
act OF rebellion. it was considered TO be fact
OF which the advantages at least compensated
the disadvaptsges. As long as the State was
really IN sympathy VITA the Gulf region, it was
believed that there would be less danger from
Its enmity TO the Union, if openly displayed,
than il secretly cherished But above all, 1t was
seen that the accession Of Virginia to the South
ern Coniederacy would make 1t the immediate
theatre Of the war, instead OF other localities
more remote from the North. Everything has
happened 10 this particular, a. was anticipated.
The rebel dynasty has been obliged to trans
port men and supplies enormous distances in
order 10 defend the extreme Northern frontier
which it acquired by the adhesion Of Virginia.
And on the other hand, the National Govern.
ment has had the great advantage Of campaigns
in close propinquity to all their resources, aud
in country perfectly open by land and water.
Compare the vast distances which separate
Richmond from the Southern centres of popu
lation at Raleigh, Charleston, Savannah and
New Orleans, with the Narrow territory which
separates the Potomac from Pennsylvania and
New York, and the advantages to the nation OF
war with the rebellion in Virginia, rather
than on the remote Gulf, seem apparently great.
1t has happened, however, whether by mis-
"@ or Encouragement, Dat the rebel ar
tothac' at ule auCes rargIpg from three to twelve
hundred miles from the populations from which
they are recruited, have not been copquered
by the armies of the Union, which have been
close to me bases Of their supplies, and have
been apparently susceptible of easy numerical
enlargement, to any extent which might be
supposed to BE- de ule After eighteen
months OF war, Easter Virginia is un.ubdued.
Ine resisting power is 1t its own population
the hostile portion OF which does not exceed
three hundred thousand souls. It's defenders
have come iroa the Carvlinas, from the remote
Gull, and eveu from Texas.
There are indications that the men who con.
troll our military operations now believe tha,
these rebsl armies, in Virginia, are still unc
conquerable, without, at any rate, much
greater accumulation Of strength On the na-
honsi side. Whether this apparent opinion Of
cur military leaders is correct, or Otherwise.
1t is necessary, if they act up1h 1t, to consider
in what other way, ard in what other places
en'c'!Ve blows can be struck at the rebellion. |
II is, we coubt not, measures of operation
against the rebels, other than attacking their
armies IN Virginia, which constitute "tbe plan
of wLlcn seHi-oiiioal al vuncemepts have re-
Gently been made TO the country. That there
are such other measures, which will be found
Doth practicable and Efficient, Is beyond oues-
lion. One year ago wh, a the armies of the
Union and OF the rebellion we're confronting
each other on the Potomac, ut as they now
are, aud with only a Sigh: variation of locali-
w. the policy was adopted Of compelling the
enemy TO retreat, W N-peditions against the
southern coast. What was done then by naval
expeditions may be done now by laad move.
nents as we'll as by sea, the Southwes. having
'ince been opened to US by the occupation OF
Memphis and Nashville. The thing to be &C
'ompiished Ia to strike the rebellion in the
lome seat 0! its strength and virulence in the
Cotton States.
we can strike there now with gloves of, and
With good hope Of accc inplishng something.
When Gen. Sherman was in command q year
AGO at Hilton Head, he said, as an excuse for
lls inactlon, tile time has not ys. come" Now
NJ time has come in which we are permitted to
ecognizs AID act upon the great fact, that Of the
population and physical power of the eight
states constituting the original southern Slater,
me half are our friends aud only a,k the op.
'ortunity TO bs permitted to show thei friend. !
hip by effective deeds. 9