Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-02-06
The Forward Movements.

The invaders have promised to advance often that
many people lave lost all belief in their intentions of
doing at all 1t has been the same old story which
the reliable gentlemen" and the telegraph have told
till it has become stale. In the summer, the " early
movement" to take place in October or November
then it postponed till Christmas, and now it is re-
newed again. We have doubt the invaders really
did intend to advance and expected that the movement
would be successful about the time of the battles Of
Leesburg and Belmont Those events frustrated their
plans, and the " Young Napoleon" was compelled to
halt again. The movements OF the enemy lock as
though bis intentions to effect junction of his forces
on the Carolina coast with those in Kentucky in order
possible, to cut OF communication between the cotton
States and Virginia
Ii he take Newbern some other point in North
Carolina so tc get foOthod upon the main aud as
base fo future operations and the time sur
round and take Bowling Green and clear the way to-
wards Nashville #, say, he could accomplish these
important Objects he would undoubtedly be in condi-
ton to do serious harm. The if stands in the way
and it is formidable obstacle. We suppose the enemy
will attempt to advance and we do not see how be
can be any better prepared than now. He has
certainly had time enough to prepare, and if he has
not means enough OF every kind it is net easy to per-
ceve low he is going get them or when he will have
them. An advance is a necessity to him, an urgent
one lie must DO so or give up the war, and he must
advance successfully he is in worse condition than
he would be not to make the effort.
1t is not good policy, is it sound philosophy in
to be too confident. We ought perhaps to expect,
in the na'ure OF things, occasional disaster. 1t
would be extraordinary if we should not. But we 90
not fear any such disaster would give the enemy anv
reasonable hope Of final against u.s. or that
would give him any real permanent success at all
He may be able to get possession of isolated sand
bank or abandoned and unimportant point for our
coasts are extensive and it would be strange if tie enc
my could not fnd part Of it so exposed as to be
within the power of bis navy since have no navy to
meet him upon equal terms
q are n,ItC tO Epnu oh ~
detences, and should hardly put them On paper if that
were SO, although do not believe the enemy is alto
gether ignorant OF our operations position at most
polnts-aGd en- pGSsGnt, the sapient individual who is
said to have introduced into the Provisional Congress
bill for surveillance of the press need not suppose
that its passage into lw would keep the enemy one
whit less informed to deences or movements than
be is for it is hardly probable that be depends up
on the Confederate papers for information valuable to
himself-yet think the enemy will be unable to take
Columbus or Bowling Green, will be quite unable TO
Ion to Nashville" or to any other important place.
Some of his generals may think they will be able to
do all ther friends have promised for them but we sus-
pect that others Of them have such expectation and
continue the struggle in obedience only to the popular
clamOr OF the cOnspirators in Congress and the con-
tractors, spectators aud oicehoders both in and out
of that body, who are growing rich out of their ILL
gotten plumber
We do not believe, repeat, that the enemy can
achieve any substantial either against our forces
in Kentucky or on the Carolina coast in fact any,
where else. Ga the contrary he will be repused and
yet 1t is by certain that the besotted despot
ism at Washington will consent to an honorable peace
and think that those in the South who talk about or
expect peace in six weeks will be disappointed If the
enemy be thoroughly routed at all points, will the vul
lures who rryng upon the living and the dead give
up their rich feasts Will they not still talk about vic
tories and thus continue to deceive their dupes as long
as possible ID order to aten upon the spos to grow
opulent out of the general miseres? When people be-
crazy there is applying to them the ordinary rules
OF logic, or Judging how they will set by the measures
and motives which govern human conduct when men |
are in normal condition. Hence we have little hope
that any expectation Of early peace will be realized
and shall not attempt to impose upon readers by
holding ont any such hepe
If the blockade of New Orleans could be raised SO
that i+s commerce could be restored with Europe we
should entertain strong hopes OF peace distant day.
because it would so strengthen and so para
lyze the enemys would be of a nature 30 public and
notorious that ingenuity could possibly conceal
knowledge of it either from friend foe that the con-
spirators, in humble Judgment would find it impos
sible to obtain the to urge conflict whtse use
essness absurdiy crime and utter stupidity would then
have become selfevident to the verest dot within
the limits of the orthern States. But no steps having
been taken to accomplish this great object and none in
prospect, not the first dawn of any ray of the
probability of peace And we cannot hold out hopes
when we see no grounds for them-N 0. Bulletin.