Smyrna times., 1862-07-17

a share. In the meantime, we have leisure,
after the flrst disappointment that the rebel
army was not completely defeated, to look
about 0s and see how we stand. Had calamity
really befalen us; had we been utterly routed
and driven off from the Peninsula. aad forced
back again 10 the liRe Of Abe Potomac, as we
were last July, still the years work. as whole,
would have well paid. First and foremost,
we have established that we of the North are
Nationality, with q vitality and vigor which
announce glorious career Of centuries, what.
ever may become Of the Cotton States. This
alone, TO prove 10 ourselves and TO the world,
would DO worth rivers OF blood and stores Of
treasure. Secondly. we have gained the Val.
ley OF the Mississippi, and a consequence,
all the vast territories and future empires be.
yond. For these acquisitions, had we been
without them, we would willingly have gwen
The five hundred millions which this war ha 8
cost. and even fifty thousand lives, haG il been
necessary. This possession-a magnificent
Empure-belongs, hsnceforIh and forever, TO
the civilization Of the North and TO o Govern.
! ment based on free labor. Thirdly, we have
| subsIaAtlallY-foF Mobile, and SaVaunah and
Charleston must fall whenever our fleet ap.
pEoaches-the control and possession Of the
vast Southern seaboRTd. We hold The forts,
(wllh one or Two exceplions.) the best Ia rbors,
The natural outlets, the islands, and points and
INLAND waters which protect the coast from
foreign invasion and commands its commerce
| We shall soon have under our power all the
srleTiVs OF Southern bDsiness--ihe greaIrIvers-
and wherever gunbout can sail through the
| water net work of vast interior, will our flag
reach. But even more than this: we have
almost unconsciously erected ourselves into
the moet effective naval Power in the world
al least for defence. The immense fleet OF
iron vessels, the powerful guuboats and float.
ing batteries which the United States will po.
sess by next Autumn. would make any foreIgr
| interference or intervention in our affairs the
most dangerous Of all proceedings to even the
'aOst wsrlke OF European nations. A year age
we knew nothing Of wsr-were Yiterly inexps
Fienccd 10 The preparation for and practice of
campitgn-had few arms and little mGterisl o.
waV Nov we have vast and disciplined
ssinles' AIMS by the million, warlike materia
! ia immense stores, and above all. a settled con
fidence 10 our own courage and resources. We
sl'll hold The enemy shut in from the world snC
out~a ard supplies; we know that vast bodies o
his people have no interest in, and even u dis.
like Of the war we believe that when once
4 victory has settled on oar banners. a host o
friends will appear in his ranks Why should
, we not hope and be cheerful! But more tina
all. one great arm aud source Of strength i
indicated TO Hs in Gen. Hunters letter. II
{ foreign Power shall interviews, it disaster O
; the worst shall come, we then call up snothe
element in the siriTe-even the armed anC
smanclpaled slave, acting under the strict law
Of war, bat fighting for the Union.
} There IL no doubt, that by proper means. al
army Of fhy thousand effective. Welldrile
black fighting men. c, uid be easily rsised IN tn
South. This will be our last weapon; bu
E even that will be drawn when Necessity com
psIs; and then what doubt can there be of tn
I snsl result! Looking at all sides then, eve
/ surprising a disaster really TO have occurred
f yet we see no reason for discouEsgemenl: ant
c on the contrary, feel that the year has brough
( wonderful gains.