Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1862-08-14
The Silver Lining.

While public enthusiasm is at a low ebb
1t is difficult for us to understand our true
position. 1t cannot for a moment be denied
that we have been out-generaled, and met
with reverse in military affairs during the
past few months. n cloud has risen and
shed its dark shadows over our present mot
the tuture) prospects. Doubt is depicted in
the cOuntenances Of those formerly the most
sanguine The army which was SO long
=" all quiet on the Potomac" is now, as cir
cumstances will admit, all quiet on the James.
Progress is at a stand still, and the only eff
fort made is to "hold our own" or to guard
against the spring for which the enemy have
recOled.
We do not for a moment doubt the abil-
ity of our army to hold at bay the legions
of jeff Davis. The object of the call for
extra troops is to push forward more vigor-
Ously the war, and at once to crush out each
vestige of the rebellion.
When we come to penetrate beneath the
surface OF the general aspect of affairs"
we have greater reason to hope than doubt
Our army before Richmond has. been
matched with the strongest force that rebel
dom can muster at any one point in short,
're know tile strength Of tie South, and can pre-
pare to aIt it. Orr resources are as vet but
half developed we have not even put our
selves to slight Inconvenience Business
operations are unstayed, money is plenty,
and we have as yet made no sacrifices, com
paratively. The absence Of the men even
that compose our large army is not missed
beyond the immediate circle of friends The
treasury Is in good condition and public
stocks are worth premium, instead Of be-
low par, as they were at the time Buchan-
ans term of office expired There is force
behind, which once aroused, will be sufficient
to utterly conquer the South. AS nation
we have been asleep; but it is the sleep thai
forestalls vigOr for the giant task before us
No pillow has been left in the furrow M
grain unreaped for the want of laborer
no anvil silent for the want of an arm t.
WELD the hammer All move on as in tn,
days of peace. Not so with the South
Every available means is brought into re
QUESTION all is concentrated in the presen
struggle. The moment we have sufficien
force in the field to take Richmond an,
overthrow the rebel Capital, we have tn
upper hand of the rebels, and have only t,
: press it heavily upon our disheartened foe
! aye, "press them to the wall" Again
the putting of negro labor to our use in DIG
: ging intrenchments," &C., will add nel
heart and muscle to our overtaxed soldiers
and it will at the same time be the means {
: detracting from the strength of the enemy
afPording a double source of profit to u!
. which makes it essentially polite WIS
is wanted, is a waking up to our true COZ
dition. The people Of the North are nc
lacking in patriotism or means, neither ar
they going to be backward in individual c
'. forts when they are made perfectly to III
: derstand that much devolves upon thel
{ severally. They have not yet compreher
5 . ded that fact in full, believing that there al
L enough to enlist who are anxious to do s
Z and had nothing else to do; but when Tho
' learn that they are called to the rescue, tn
y there is a principle at the bottom Of tn
:, e thing, they will unitedly put their should
. to the wheel 1t is gross and clum
- - piece of machinery, this Of war-making, al
- 1t takes long to start it, but its momentum
. when once it shall be started, will prove
J. be irresistible