The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-19
The Situation

Our enemy is encompassng US on every side ana IKE
iends fresh from the internal regions, gloats over the
enormities he longs TO perpet1ate, aud demon-lke,
easts upon the hope OF ourdestruetion We are men
aced on all sides by enemy the most relentless and
rapacious the world has ever Commencing at
the entertainments on Arlington heights and passing
east and south by fortress Mouroe Hateras, Port Roy
al Pensacola and Ship Island we have produced over
one half Of that circle Of alleged over powerng oree
bv which our destruction has been threatened. Re
turning TO the same section in the north Of the Confed
eracy and travelling west have these forces spread
through western Virginia thence into kentucky-they
crowd Marshal in its southeastern quarter; have lately
gained advantage over Crittenden at Somerset, and
over Tghman the Tennessee river at fort Henry
while Buells hordes threaten Bowling Green and Co
umbus Cairo is held an enepot for the Mississippi
armada. Price CALAMITY struggles still further west IN
Missouri and calls aloud for aid against his Hessan foe
and it only requires that the marader Lane shall collect
the fendsh horde recently appointed Tor his disposal
and passing down the ronrler OF Missouri and
Arkansas to Texas, to cooperate there with Mexican
banditt recently ordered Matamoras by the parties
to the late Corwn treayand we have the circle entlre
With the 'anacondan thus coing itself around US,
does not wisdom and prudence require that we put
forth our whole strength andac promptly and energeti
cally in putting to flight this dabocat foe WHO threatens
to destroy US There many weak points along our
borders which should be made strong Fifty thousand
additional troops needed in Tennessee and Kentucky
to the dark hearted foe and put him TO defeat all
along our northern frontier He has bent his bow and
whetted sword and declares the south shall longer
exits as nation OF treeAen-that its inhabitants shall
no longer call their land and property, and homes
their own. What would the condition OF our country
be if subjugated by such fendish foe-a foe that
would PROSTATE the south il the dust and tear from
her brow all her proud and historic memories. The
burned lava Of thousand VesuyuseS, empted upon
every square mile Of territory would be far more
preferable The south oyetrn by robber bands whose
mission is to rob and murder Southern treeneH the
slaves and vassals of yankee masters Our apprecla-
ton Of southern valor will not admit OF the possibility
of such thing. Sooner would he look for the pillows
of the Atlantic and Pacific to embrace each other upon
the summit Of the Rocky mountains than to see Seward
Greeley Co. cracking the whip over southern heads.
But though sangune Of We are sluubcring IN
our security while the enemy surrounds US on all sides
and obtains foothods from which it may require years
Of toll and thousands of lives and treasure to dsposseS
them.
We have been too sanguine-too confident of success
on every occasion 1t by oyer-contdence that
we lost Hattera Port Royal and Roanoke island; and
by silly dependence in the rises OF the capncious
stream that we lost fort Henry and the power of rail-
way communication between Bowling Green and Mem
phs Activity incessan activity is now the programme
of the federal generals in the west and ncessSnt watch
fitness must be that of those who preside the des
TIMES of young republic Our recent losses must
be reganed though be at the hazards OF fifty battles
and thousands be slain. The ground lost at Somerset
fort Henry and Roanoke must be recovered with enor
nous interest or the whole system Of defenses will be
thrown into confusion and the line broken.
III order to retrieve these past losses mole men are
needed in the west We have of our best and most
valued chefains in that quarter but heT are prop
erly supplied with troops and munitions Of war. Give
them these and need be uneasy or depond as to
the result
Let the popular heart of the people bepropery reach
ed and everything available Tor war purpose be sent
forward with alacrity and the victories will achieve
will gain independence at an early day and compel
our enemy, who is building up mountain of debt
espitulate upon terms But if our people go tc
holding back in this generous and patriotic struggle for
life and liberty may look confidently fora long var
and reverse after reverse
We trust, therefore, that the people the south will
not close their eyes the great tragedy that is being
enacted along our northern frontier Leevery rally
to the support of the government with which have
linked destnies and place It's disposal the means
necessary to defeat enemy and secure peace and
happiness throughout land Let triumph cease
to exist as free and independent people.
Vicksburg Wing.