The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1862-01-25
THE ISSUES BEFORE Us.


the struggle.
Six months ago. there was a formula
be party a, the North in favor OF peace,
while the most rampant advocates OF
the war were for a speedy solution OF
our difficulties. The New York Tribune,
lben high in the confidence Of the Lin
colin administration. declared that pro-
tracted war was not ~ he borne ; the
conflict must be short, sharp. and dcc'-
sivc; and Il the Federal armies failed
Ia quickly snbingaling the rebels
peace must cnsuc upon any terms that
might be offered The Northern people
were Their enthusiastic and exultant.
Their Armies had sustained but few de-
feats. and those rOverscs had not been
sufficient TO dampcn the ardor Of the
people. or their confidence in speedily
1ucliing the rebellion" The pecunary
resources of the Government were ap.
parontly eyiaus,less Public and pr.
vatc capital was rendered with au alac-
rity and q muuiiicent liberality that was
astonishing. Our enemies had the sympa-
thy Of foreign nations Since then. they
have sustained dcfca, after defeat not
only the treasury of the nation. but the
resources II the people have been ex-
hausted in the prosecution Of the war :,
the government and people nrc upon the
eve Of bankrupty Foreign nations no
longer respect them or wish them sue
cess Yet. strange 10 say, the feeling
IN favor OF the war Is today far strong
or tl.nu il wns then We look IN vain
for returning sense Of reason, either
ia the public sentiment Of the North or
the Lincoln Government All the indi'
cations manifest towards ia the most
relentless and bitter hostility. The war
which was prosecuted six months ago
under the prctcneo u preserving the
/ Union, IN today waged for the abolition
- slavery and the utter and complete
/ destruction of the people q the South
ern States.
II the war, then, Ia 20 continue-ii
there is no seeming prospect Of peace
the next question that addresses itself
to us il. what preparations have been
mud arc making 10 carry it onY And
right here the inquiry naturally sug-
ges,s itself to ue, Do the Southern
people. and particularly oar own people,
fully appreciate the gigantic character
/ If the struggle before them"
According TO the report Of the L S.
Secretary Of War the enemy has IN the
+ field over siI hundred aud fifty thousand
men, and we have have every r, ason to
/ believe that, 10y the time the Spring
campaign opens. that this force will be
!. ,.er'- r.~- r~~r ~'c--r, 'r~'rs ravc rccr
pen. This has been Of incaloulable ad
vantage TO the enemy Uninterrupted
intercourse with foreign nations. has
enabled them to procure from abroad
every thing desired. Their troops, there.
fore. will bo nbundautly supplied with
the most approved aud the best nipple.
mcuis Of modern warfare Since their
defeat at Manassas, they have also in
stitutcd q reform. Of great importance,
aud which ia worthy Of imitation. 1t
is this Every man who aspiros to al
official position IN tho L 5. army, must
I first undergo IN examination Ivy mill.
t,ry board, which decides upon his com.
potency.
What steps have been taken ly the
/ Confederate Government, for defence
/ against this formidable movement, we
hago no means Of Knowing. 1t has
thus far kept it's plans concealed Hap,
ply for Va, the silence and celebrity of
its previous operations, have been at.
tended with 10 much sncccss, that assn.
rance is felt that il will not be want.
ing in wisdom ia a period Of greater
trial And, what tends to impart still
greater confidence in orr success IT,.
that although the Federal army has been
IN the field for months, il has not gained
a single victory on land, and is every.
where on the defensive.
The enemy possess, also another ma
tcrIal advantage over us. Their troops
are ALL OF nearly all, enlisted for the
war, while large number Of ours are
twelve months volunteers It ia 10 be
hoped, however, that a majority Of these
volunteers will rronlist at the expira.
ton Of their presc term Of service.
The foregoing facts tend to show the
formidable character Of the struggle be.
fore Us, and to warn ne to make prepa.
tons 20 meet il, Oar Legislature had
this in view in the passage Of the pres.
cGt militia law II is evident that If the
war continues according to tho pro.
granmc marked out, Texas will be re-
qn.rcd 70 furnish in two months from
this iimc, at least twenty thousand more
men
II must be confessed, that in this view
OF our affairs there is nothing ia,tering.
We behold before MS, protracted war.
with all ts attendant calamities And
yet, il we make one step further. we