Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-04
GoreiMl Gxtratts.
From the London Review, Feb. %.
THE RELATIVE RESOURCES OF
NORTH AND SOUTH

We pointed out, few weeks since,
when treating of this subject, that the
superiority of the North in warlike re-
sources was rather apparent than real ;
that superior wealth was only. available
if its owners were willing to spend it,
or could be forced to contribute it; that
superior numbers were. only valuable if
they could be organized, disciplined,
paid, and moved that strength for de-
fensive warfare was often the reverse of
strengtlsfor aggressive enterprises; and
that the undertaking in which the Fede-
ralists are engaged was essentially ag-
gressive. We showed that 100, 900 good
men would be really more serviceable
than the 100000 motley troops they
have summoned TO the field, both be-
cause they would exhaust the Treasury
less and would harrass the enemy more
We concluded that an army of half a
million could not by any continuance be
kept on foot by Government that is
spending 5000, 900, 900 a year, when it
only possesses $50, 900, 900, and can on
ly borrow 1925, goo, 900; and that, there
fore, the failure of the North, and dis
astrous and discreditable. collapse, were
absolutely certainly ultimately, and might
surprise US any day. In spite of the
new plan of Mr.. Chase, of paying in in
convertible paper--in spite of the re-
ported successes Of the North and their
various menaced expeditions--and in
spite of the uuquestioned embarrassment
and privaton Of the Southerners, we are
not in the least degree shaken as to the
correctness of our anticipations.
For, as we showed only recently the
limits of really available paper money
are soon reached and unless large sums
are realized by direct taxation--of which
we see no appearance, and in which we
place no belief--no currency contrivances
can long enable the Federal Government
to meet its daily expenses. AS soon as
the soldiers cease to be paid regularly,
and to be fed we'll, we have little conf
deuce in their zeal or steadiness. The
three months volunteers marched home
:" to the sound of the enemy's cannon, "
on the morning Of the battle, because
their term was out; the three years troops
will probably do The same, because their
contract has been broken. In the second
4 place, we place very little reliance on the
statements either of the formidable expe-
/ ditions which we are assured are on the
point of setting out TO invade the South
or of the successes achieved by those
that have already sailed. These ac-
counts all come through Federal sources
and most Of them have already proved
either wholly false or greatly exaggerat-
cd. The vast quantities of cotton said to
have been seized and carried into New
York have dwndled to an amount equal
to about weeks consumption. Indeed
as was well know to all acquasnted wi
tho trade, the entire crop grown in the
district occupied by the Norlheruers only
consists Of about 40, coo bags, aud is not
of kind fitted FOR ordinary consumption,
being Sea Island, and wanted chiefly for
the finest musins. The expedition down
the Mississippi is still talked Of, but we
cannot conceive its being seriously nm.
dertaken by people in their senses. If
really ventured upon, on a scale likely to
produce any effect, it can only terminate
in disasters similar TO those which over
took ourselves at Walcheren, and Napo-
leon ia Russia. The rumored expedr-
ton up the river to New Orleans is a
degree less hazardous, but only degree
Predatory expeditions round the coast
may inilict much loss to property, and
cause much evaporation to feeling, but
can do nothing to suhdue a resoute peo-
pie. The population and all movable
wealth are simply Withdrawn a few miles
into the interior, whittier no invader can
or dare follow them.
The truth is that an agricultural peo.
pie, inhabiting an extensive, Wildwood
ed, sparsely- populated district, cannot be
conquered Or forced to yield, if they on
" are resolute and hearty in their cause.
Their coasts may be rayaged, their out
lying towns burned, and their trade i'm
peded or destroyed; but they have only
to retire. to BEAR, and to WAIT They
can get food and clothing in abundance,
and with Injuries, if they are dotermin-
cd, they cah easily dispense. Now, there
can be nc doubt that the citizens Of the
Confederate States are, at this moment,
suffering considerable priyation from the
scarcity Of many Of their accustomed
comforts. The price of these articles,
coffee especially, at New Orleans, Mo-
bile and Charleston, is a measure Of the
pressure. But who that knows the sem
timents Of mingled ambition, hatred and
contempt that have long been fostering
in the bosom Of the Southerner; bis
passion for the independence and gran
deur Of his native province his love for
bis State; his profound indifference to
the Union bis dread Of Northern inter-
ference with bis slaves--can believe for
moment that the want Of coffee, of
wine, Of luxurious clothing, or Of Euro
pcan fancy articles, will induce him to
come TO terms with his antagonist--much
less TO yield, and throw down his arms?