Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-11-13
Tho Dlsmay Caused by the PrOela



The enormous and rapid increase of the
euemy's naval power in this war is one of
the most painful subjects of interest. This
arm has grown to such size as to threaten
us in many respects more seriously than
the euemy's land forces. The Yankees
have now afloat AT least 200 vessels of war
| more than they could boast when the war
commenced. Large and active prepara-
| tons have been made for naval movements
this winter, aud it is generally estimated
that there are now about so iron-clad men
of-war building for the Yankee Government
besides those ahoat.
There is good reason to believe that the
Yankee feet, W hich is TO fall upon our
coast this winter, will be stronger in point
Of armament aud class of ships than any
which has yet embarked on an offensive
movement. The objects to be accomplish.
ed by this naval demonstration are Of the
most considerable Importance. They are
to capture our seaports; TO make their
blockade effecIual; and to open avenues OF
Invasion 10 those districts of the South
where the Emancipation Proclamation can,
with the beginning of the new year, be put
into practical effect.
| 1t is useless to deny the advantages
which would eusue to the enemy from the
capture of our remaining ports, or to slight
such misfortune TO US BY the consolation
that we can still whip the enemy by inte-
rior warfare. The welfare of the country
is essentially associated with the protec.
ton of what ports we now have; and If
there Is any reason to fear that, through
improvidence or imperfect foresight on the
part of this Government, Charleston, Savsu-
nab and Mobile are to fall into the hands
of the enemy this Winter, then we may
prepare ourselves for train of disasters
that will reach the heart of the South, and
fearfully try the fortitude of our people,
With these ports 10 the hands Of the en- :
emy, the blockade conld be enforced with
strictness and rigor of which we have yet
no experience in our sHferings from this
source. We would have TO abandon all
idea of buildings navy on this side of the
Atlantic. We would have to repeat the
humiliation of giving mp 70 the enemy or
of destroying what few naval structures
we have. We would lose, TO great extent,
our vast system Of railroad Communication
in the Cotton States and we might real.
iEe, when it is too late, that the interior
warfare of which such hopes are INDUCED,
would have to be conducted under circum.
stances in this section Of the Confederacy
which would render the sustenance aud
preservation of a large army almost impos-
sible.
These eaIamities threatened in the can.
ture of our ports are grave enough. Oae
graver, however, aud more terrible than all
these, is to come if the enemy can get q
hold in the Cotton States, for putting into
operation there bis emancipation scheme.
Great efforts will naturally be made to keep
this pet measure of the Abolitionists from
falling to the ground, and 70 see that the
wrath which Mr.. Lincoln has bottled for
the LIST of January does not go into harm
less fizzle of soda powder. So far ii. the
war the enemy's scheme Of serTils insurree-
ton has proved ridiculous failure. The
attempt is now to put it into operation
where we are least defended, 70 try the poi
sou at the heart of the South.
Prediction OF future disaster is npta pleas
ing tale TO that portion of our people who
are never questioning what the Govern
ment does, and take for patriotism blind
and clustering trust in the future Il is
for fear of the consequences of this wretch
ed self deceit that We have poiuted out the
important results involved in the naval
movements of the enemy on our coast and
rivers. We do not say that Charleston,
Savannah, and Mobile are or arc not in a
state of complete defense. There is, of
course, abundant military authority in the