The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-07
A Long Pull, q Strong Pull, and O
Pull Altogether.

Adviccs from tho south mention that the
rebels arc preparing to draft the slaves for
military service. and late Richmond paper
has an argument in favor Of it. This is
what the rebellion must inevitably come to,
and most rejecting persons ut the north
have been looking for il from the commence
ment. But the proposition at this time
shows the truth of what we recently suggest
ed-that the terrible leyies and losses incident
TO the war have exhausted the sparse white
population OF the south.
Our commanders constantly report the
rebel armies as very large, whenever they
are encountered they do seem to be in full
force. We know that i. is impossible to
keep up such armies, and to fight such bat
ties as they do, without exhausting popu-
lation which was never very numerous, and
hat this point has now been reached We enter
tain no doubt. =.
Thus far, however, the war has been
somewhat Of an advantage to the south, by
Kidding il Of all the able bodied males of the
poor white population, who have constituted
the bulk of the rebel armies. The enormous
CONSUMPTION enforced all over the revolted
States has had this for one OF its chief OBJ
jects. This poor white population at the
south, although never inimical in feeling to
slavery, had become Of necessity dangerous
element in q slayeholding country. because
oil its interests were opposed to slavery
Dependent upon labor for subsistence, it
found labor nonopOlized by slaves, and was,
therefore, driven, even in the cities OF South
Carolina, to strikes against the employment
Of negroes in various departments of indus
try.
Southerners had been in tho habit OF ridi-
culing the idea that this population could
become adverse TO slavery. Ii never was 10
in sentiment, but it was really 90 in action !;
and in nearly every town Of any consequence
at the south il had, by means OF trade COM
binations, restricted the use OF slave labor
in mechanical pursuits. Slave owners, ac-
customed to hire out their surplus hands.
found this great drawback on their profits,
yet they did not dare to do anything against
it. Now, however, the war has swept away
for them all this competing white labor.
So far, then, the slave owners generally at
the south have got rid of what to them was
n great and growing trouble. Now. however,
the war has exhausted that poor white pop
ulation. IL has even punished the slave
holdcrs themselves severely, Still the de-
mand for men is pressing, and now comes the
final pinch. The Shareholders themselves
must enter the army and be slaughtered, or
they must force their slaves into the ranks
to supply the deficiencies of men. They
will avoid going themselves as long as posi-
bic, and to do this will strip the whole south
of all its other able bodied white males.
These are not mere speculations. They
are sober facts, and in view OF them 1t be-
hooyes us to press on the war with renewed
vigor; to throw increased numbers into our
armies; to compel our generals to maintain
more energetic policy; to fight porpetually,
and in the end the war must exhaust the
south and the rebellion DO conquered. We
are afraid that our war managers do not
sufficiently appreciate the present condition
Of things. They do not seem to understand
the opportunity now afforded them OF gain
ing very great advantages over the rebels by
pushing rapidly and vigorously onward the
progress OF our armies.
We must insist upon our government ac-
complishing the object Of the war within a
year. II is perfectly practicable with the
means and opportunities afforded us, and
ought to DO achievevcd without much diff.
Guilty. Ii behooyes the President, the Secre-
tary Of War. the Genen.l-in-Chief, and all
commanders OF our armies, to remember
that time is precious, that every day costs US
at least million of dollars, and that We
cannot always hope to have men and money
in such numbers as we now have IL we do
not use both with proper energy and intel
ligenco.
People are getting so accustomed to war
that they do not seem any longer to realize
the fearful cost Of it. Money and men have
been obtained 50 easily that we act as though
the supplies were boundless. We must re-
call to mind our original earnestness Of pur-
pose, and endeayor to conduct the war with
view to speedy success. Enough has been
done 20 establish the national prestige, re-
source and spirit. We now need unani.
nous effort to reach the final victory, which
is feasible enough If We could only seek it
properly. This is war measure because ii
will bring us glory; il is a national measure,
because il will recreato the great republic
and restore its mighty empire forever; 1t is
an economical measure, because IL will save
the country millions Of debt and thousands
of lives; Il is financial measure, because il
will royiviiy and regcnerate the credit and
.,-..,.,, ~ thu NATHAN NORTH American.