Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-09-19
An Irresolute Policy and its Re-
suits.

rebellion, but endeavoring to keep rebeI-
lion from crushing the Government
This end has been reached after nearly
eighteen months Of war. Washington is
now beseGed, Maryland invaded, Ken
lucky overrun, Ohio and Pennsy lvanla
threatened, the army in Tennessee cut OIL
from its base Of operations, and surround
ed by a rebel army and hostile territory
New Orleans in immediate expectation OF
an attack which our land forces there
would be almost powerlesS against, and
every other point of importance south,
occupied by us since the war commenced
in fair way to be recaptured by the
rebels or evacuated by US, as we fall hack
10 our new base Of operations, aud take
time to gather up our scattered strength,
reorganize our shattered armies, and be-
Gin again at the alphabet Of the war
We are to-day talking, not about our
ability to entirely suppress treason, and
punish traitors, but are seriously debating
"hrtner II Is possfUle Or US 10 prevent
jeff Davis from capturing our cities, in
vadng our territory, and debating the
terms upon which we shall submit to his
rule. What has brought US to this strait
is serious question, and he who cares
ANYTHING for the future OF the free States
of the Republic, should make searching
inquiry tor It's answer, that the rocks up
on which we have so nearly foundered,
may be avoided on the further navigation
of this stormy sea.
1t is evident that there is something
wrong somewhere, or twenty-five millions
of people would not, in contest with
eight millions, have been so disa.lrously
beaten and Inundated in the face O. the
nations of the earth. The fault, hOwev-
er. cannot rest with the people, for they
have answered, with unreserved cheer
tulness and promptness, to every call OF
the Government, anG have besought
those in authority again and again, to
make still larger acquisitions upon their
patriotism, and accept more Of their album
dainty volunteered aid, but have been
told that the Government had enough
men, and was almost smothered in money,
md that no more troops were required or
desired. But the people having done
their part, has the Government done its
part ? Have those clothed with the exec
utive power OF the nation used the
strength put into their hands in the best
way possible, or even IS skilfully as the
rebel government has used It's strength
Or, to 90 still deeper than this has the
government conducted Ibis war with a
full comprehension Of the magnitude OF
the interests at stake, or an understanding
Of the malignity, the resolution, and the
vindicive determination Of the rebels
never to be subdued? However we at
tempt to spare this or that civil officer, or
this or that military chieftain, in our an
swer 10 these questions, the unversa
voice of the nation answers these ques
tions in the negative, although in particu
lar instances we may endcavor to lighter
this burden Of responsibility by shifting
it from the shoulders of our favorites up
on the shoulders of other men. The
Government has thus far failed to sup
press the rebellion, and it cannot escap,
the severe criticism and condemnation
of the people as Il consequence of tn
failure.
Tit continues to pursue the policy for
year to come that it has pursued 70
eighteen months past, it will continue t
fail, and the rebellion will become a sue
cess, end the Republic forever divided.
The mistake that has been made fror
the outset is the policy Of putting dow
the rebellion by any other method tina
the subjugation of the rebels and the pos
session of their territory. We hav
waited, before desperate remedies wer
resorted to, until the rebels have obtaine
such advantages Of US Il at their threat
have deferred US from doing what the
did not desire that we should do. w
declared privatcering piracy but have ne
dared to hang priyateera for fear of II
talation. We refused to exchange pris
oners until they had so many of our me
10 dungeons that our humanity brought |
to their terms. These are palpable way
in which the rebels have made a polio
for US. But their opinions and wish,
have more seriously interfered with OF
treatment of them, through methods n
quite so patent. The Government con
menced the war apparently with the id'
that there was not 10 be much fightin
that the rebels were to be either starvt
or frightened into submission, and thu
for the sake Of good fellowship and brot