The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-05
THE ARMIES.

The inquiry is frequently made, what are the
great armies about Mcclellan and Lee in the
East, Buell. and Bragg in the West-what are
they all doing?
Let us be patient. The clouds must have time
to gather before we can have rain. AS for Nc
Clelan, it is easy to account for his quietude. A
wise little man, who had learned the rule of pro-
portion, once reasoned in this wise: If by taking
a running start of three yards, can leap an OBJ
stacle one yard high, running start of three
miles will take me over a mountain mile high.
The arithmetic Of his argument was, indeed
faultless; but the practical application proved a
failure for when our logical Napoleon reached
the base of the mountain, where the leap was to
be made the toll and roughness of the road had
taken away all his wind and strength.
Mcclellan is in similar dilemma, in his effort
to take Richmond. He took a running start of
t,celue months. He made Lncoln's treasury
bleed in d manner delightful to every true rebel
He ciphered out his success perfect certainty.
There was room for failure. He got in sight
of Richmond, and he, too, broke dozen, and now
lies painting and exhausted, musing about ana
condas
Mcclellan must not blame figures for his mis-
take. They worked out true result, but he did
not understand it rightly The true statement of
the proposition would be somewhat after this Sort
If Mcdowell, in two months, could march twenty
seven anu ue NlcCleNdH III CWeNe
months could march one hundred and sxty-seven
miles and be whipped. 1t is not necessary to say
that in the actual result arithmetic is most sin
gularly indicated as one Of the exact sciences.
We presume tina: all the great commanders on,
both sides will be heard from soon as they can
see favorable opportunity to strike; and that
meanwhile they will very diligently watch each
other. The present campaign is much more than
half gone. August is at the door, and autumn
treads upon its heels. If grand movement is to be
made it must be made quickly. Let us be patient.
Meanwhile, a series of most gallant and sue
cessful enterprises on the part of our soldiery
crippling the enemy, robbing him of his conquests
and inspiring our own army Forrest in Tennes-
see and Morgan in Kentucky, have done much to
retrieve the disasters that lost parts of both of
those States; and to-day we record brilliant dash
in the moutains of Virginia, which will cause men
to remember hereafter, who Major Baily is.
In short, prospects are bright and hopeful, and
all looks pleasing save the dark pail of barbarian
oppression which has settled down upon our fell
low citizens beyond the enemy's lines. We
ardently long to see the day of deliverance come
to them. We console ourselves with the hope
that it draws nigh Let our whole Confederncy
maintain cheerful courage, and manifest whole
souled and universal patriotism.
The enemy is frantic, and is making his death
struggles-let us meet him as duty demands and
the result is not doubtful God will give us the
victory, and enable US to vindicate that separa-
ton from the North which was manifestly ordained
of Providence. There was divinity that shaped
our ends, and we will not be deserted in the crisis
which resulted-RichnlOn0 EHQuirer