Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-26
AInrmIn RIrh,nnnL.

Alarm IN LLAChlEAuhus
CFroui the Richmond pisTsttrI, MAJ I6)
The proximity of the gunboals of,the en-
emyto this city places Tin very great dan
ger. a few hours will test ihestreugthnnd
efficacy of the oostructions placed Ia the
river to prevent their passage. It5Vould
be Improbable and useless 70 discuss the
sagacitY displayed in the selection of the
point for the obstruction, aud the ingenuity
of the obstruction itself; but it may be
doubted whether either would stand against
a fair criticism. Should the gunboatS be
resisted, however, IhAtsis all we could ex-
pect; no matter what the style of the bar
rfer, ro6ody can complain.
Our news columns give all the intelli-
gence we have from the point assailsd Il
m1y Be fhdt The Jurrier ,riH be passed. II
so, we shall have the hated foe here in "A
brief time. The question arises, should
oniy a few gunboats Observation-Disclosures,
not backed by an army that has fought
through our ioreesi will tile city be sur
reRdered to then2 We feel insured that
the people will respond. with unanimity
"NO!" Tue sentiment, Is FAR as we have
heard il, is most decided, We believe gov
eminent and people are unlIed on this
point, Though there have been gross de-
reflections with reference t. the river defen-
ees, the public are not willing tOineur the
disgrace of submitting TO two OF three fed
eral Gunboats. they viii resist until Rde-
maud can be backed by such force and cir
cumstances rs mt least 10 make q: surreni-
er an act not TO crimson the cheek with
shame. Under any view of such tate rs
the occupation of this city OF unIarniShed
fame and generous renOwu, by the federal
invaders, it will he painful, a Notifying
occurrence but whenever That event does
occur, let US at least hope that 1t will car.
rs with it no dishonor for the community.
DEsPAIRING OF THE CAPITAL.
tPrcm the Charleston Mercury, May Is.
The fate OF the capital, though still a
mystery 10 Us is probably fixed before
these words can meet the eyes of our rcsd-
ers. The telegraph yesterday brought no
! tidings from Richmond, and we have no.
thing later than the brief despatch, dated
| Tuesday eight, announcing that the enc
my's gunboats had ascehded the James
river as far rs City Point. The subse-
quent silence may have been accidental,
but it looks ominous. We fear we shall
! have the same story of New Orleans over
again, and that we nave lost, through inn
beCility, sloth aud delay, what the Grand
Army of Mcclellan could never have won.
Bnt we will hope for the hest 7zJt.f.
I City POiut, the head OF deep water navi-
! cation on the James river, is nearly thirty
miles below Richmond. For the past fort
night the work of obstrnctiuE the channel
at IL point some miles higher up, has been
vigorously going on. Upon the efficacy of
the distinctions rests the safety OF the city;
and before this, We presume, that efficacy
/ has been put 20 the test
| The fall of Richmond would indeed be a
heavy blow. 1t Is diffieut to estimate the
vast quantities of stores and public works
which must be destroyed or abandoned in
the event of such disaster. The capture
OF the seat of government would sadly
shake the confidence of Europe in our
ability to achieve our independence. We
see it stated that the unofficial advice given
in a friendly spirit to gentlemen of high
position by Count Mcrcier, during his late
visit, was never to surrender the capital.
But, happily, the wealth aud the strength
of this cnnfederncy do not reside in its
cities. We have ceased to hope for en-.
i couragenent or aid from the Powers OF
Europe; and the rebels of to-day, relying
only upon themselves, viii yet show TO the
world that their spirit cannot be broken by
reverses, and that they are no degererate
sons of their fathers-thc rebels Of our
! frat Revolution