, 1862-01-09

WASHINGTON, Jan. s, 1862
Decidedly the most important feature Of the
war is the expedition Of Gen. jim Lane, now
well nigh matured. Where it is going, and
what force it is to consist Of, I am not permit
ted to say, except that 1t will include six regi-
mcnts of Illinois troops, and the Mechanic
Fusileers now in Camp Douglas. But the
class Of ideas that it viii carry may state
publicly as follows: It will move South to
put down the rebellion so that it will stay dorm.
If it be found that slavery and loyalty cannot
abide together, slavery will cease to exist.
Every man or thing that can fight for the
Union in the rebc1liouG States will be muster
ed under the stars and stripes, white, black,
copper-colored, or mixed. General Lane
will be constantly deyiaing plans
work itself out here at Washington. he will
strike the rebellion where he will be sure to
kill every time, and he will not leave any
ground to be fought over twice There will
be no enemy III his Iear-that is, his friends
will outnumber his enemies and constitute
the stronger party. In the way Of restoring
peace to the country there is more to be
hoped from Lanes expedition, marching with
this policy, than from the six hundred thou
sand men houndeEing under Gen. Mcclellan.
Some people say that this is tub thrown out
to appease the Abolition wlale-to constitute
sct-of to the enormous folly and wickedness
Of such Generals as tho two Shermans, Lock-
wood, Gorman, etc.,--to show that II the
Government has no particular policy it has all
varieties to enit customers.
Gen Burnside's expedition excitcs more
speculation than any other military
movement. Everything which might afford a
clue to its destination, is carefully turned
over and examined by all the tests within
reach. a decided majority of those who
claim an aptitude for seeing into grindstones,
have fixed upon the Rappahannock ivcr for
Gen. Burnsidc's operations. They say
that the destination cannot be very
far south because Commander Colds
borough is the Flag Officer, and his jurisdic-
points bailiwick. They argue that the feet
cannot be intended for ocean service, because
the vessels are all Of very light draft. They
believe TINT the expedition has some close
connection with forward movement Of the
army Of the Potomac, and they do not see
how 1t can be made effectul unless 1t enters
the Potomac, or Rappahannock, or York riy'
ers. Various reasons are assigned against the
first and last mentioned points; SO, Of course
| it must be the other. Without claiming any
special information on the subject, think 81
these astutc deductions Will be found at fault
| The present expectation is that the fleet Til
sail hext Tuesday, but it may be delayed {
whole week yet. It will bear with 1t a great
| many troops, and corresponding fears It Il
the general conviction here that it is intimately
| connected with operations on the whole lint
| from the Atlantic to the Mississippi Thit
conviction, however, proceeds as much from
tho devious financial and political necessities
| Of the case as from anything else. The Gov
cKnment has no money and can get none. Z
has well nigh lost the confidence Of Congress
and the country. Its s&atas abroad Is the mex
thing to no aatus at all. A great victory il
hessheld alone can replenish the treasury, ant
The Van Wyck Committee are pufsunt
their investigations with siekeninE success
New and alarming frauds, I understand. haTe
been discovered In Pennsylvania The ship
ment Of pine lumber from Pittsburgh to Lea7
enworth is only one Of the batch. The Com
agement from the Eastern press for thei
labors thus far, but they will neither be bullies
from their work, nor whistled down the wind
By the plnndcrers or their apologists. 1t ha
been frequently remarked By the admirers 0
Fremont, that the Committee hare been yer:
zealous in ogcrhauling the Western Depart
meut, bnt have not entered tho great den Q
corruption at Washington" quote the Ian
guage exnctly as tt-is,, and without alleginI
that there is, or is not, such den here
find out. As they did not spare Fremont VIII
was popular, neither will they spare any on
else who is powerful
Horace GFceley's lecture At the SmithsoniA
Institute, held the other evening, was quit
al event, considering the character Of his diE
course and the distinguished company whlc
attended. Mr.. Greeley, having Mnzxled b
: newspaper as to certain grave matters Of put
lie interest, seems to have sought the leetus
room for relief BIC talked very plainly aboI
ffe infa1icIties dfsr,|ayei m our side sfnca tb