The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-03
The Progress Of tho Cause.

After making all allowance for the natural
disposition to exaggerate successes, We believe
the sternest impartialty must decide that the
cause of the Union is on It's way towards
ultimate triumph. However much the ma
ton has got to do ere rebellion is finally
annihilatcd. there can be no question that
what has been already done is telling Be-
ycrely uron the nations wicked adyersaries.
Not only are the loyal States becoming moro
closely united in feeling and action, while
their soldiers and sailors are becoming better
and better Us they become more and more
numerous, but the National Government is
fast surrounding the rebellious communities
with belt Of men, iron and wood that will
be drawn closer and tighter until it draws
the breath out OF the body OF treason.
Impossible as it is to see tho details OF the
future, the course of largo events is rs plain
as day. Rebellion may do oil that Ignorance
and passion and cunning and talent can do
il may do more than deceived and maglignant
men ever did before, but when it has done
its most lwhen even it can do no more-when
ii has fortified every menaced point, obtained
all the men and all the supplies possible
when at its utmost power it stands awaiting
the attack, the nations ships and soldiers
will open yet other ports, and fresh armies
will be ready to take yet other routes to the
Southern land. Ii is in this respect that re-
bellion must and will have the worst Of it.
Already it must defend what may never be
attacked-it must have forces where they
may not be necessary. and having them there,
in the long run, 10 cannot al,cdys hare them
rhere they are needed Already 1t must de-
fend its cities. II it do not, they are lost
If il do, the soldiers there concentrated are
useless for other points on its long limo OF
coasts, and 1t must defend these places
whether or not they be Of importance to its
enemies, for they are the strongholds Of its
social pride and wealth.
The maximum of Southern power for de-
fence must DO speedily attained-many be-
licye it has already passed. In the way OF
offence. it is manifest the rebellion is not
what il once was. Great in its present extent
its territory has dwndlcd and to day, il is
not the people of Virginia, North Carolina
and part OF Tennessee that keep the dag OF
Union from those large commonwealths, but
the Notifications of Manassas and Columbus.
So far as the people are concerned, 1t would
appear Us If rebellion were already sick unto
death, in all but the cotton States, aud to q
considerable extent, in them also. A reign
of terror for while, may reprcss the utter
ance of public opinion, but the mferdnee IS
sure 10 come in good time. Meanwhile the
Government is going on, slowly but certain
ly-attacking here, menacing there, always
preparing new forces, new armaments. And
when the South has done its most and Its
worst, il will be found that the "United
States" is still moving, still increasing, un-
exhausted. indeiatigable, and ready and will
ing to put forth more and more strength in
the cause Of the Union, the Constitution and
the Laws.
And it is with full and deep appreciation
of this great fact which is becoming clearer
and clearer, as week after week rolls on
that the loyal people must receive the in.
telligence OF partial defeat, cheek or delay.
Fluctuations there may and must DO, involy-
ing sorrow and disappointment. But let US
''look to the end" We have the best cause
and zee hare The most poicer. Both will tell
in the long run, without the slightest quss.
ton, for such is tho inevitable law Of God.
But we must have "patiencc, confidence, for.
bearancc," curbing fretiulness and inn
patience, and feeling as confident in defeat as
in victory. Events will not be hurried-un-
toward Incidents are of small account in
conflict in which we are sure to win at the
end, with patience and perseverance in the
good work.
"Foreign interference" is all that any
dread but this is little moro than bugbcar.
which few weeks will entirely annhilate
in the minds of the most timorous. When
that vain dream is utterly destroyed, REBEL.
ion will be desolate enough, with its fore
ground of national fleets and armies, Its ter
riblo background Of seryile insurrections.-
1t has dwindlcd already, it will dwindle moro
and inore-in spite Of oil that bravery. skill
and enmity can do in its support.-BO'ton
Post.