Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-08
A Battle Lost-The War Goes On.

Battle LOst-The War Goes On.
The administration has sustained serious
losses in the late elections; though it is prob
able that it will still have a small working
majority in the new congress. This is the
first time an issue has been made against it
since the war begun. 1t would have been
more agreeable if the issue could have been
postponed till the war had ended. Others
thought differently, however, whose counsels
have to a great extent prevailed. The fact is
clear and obvious one; and the manly way
is to look it in the face, and adapt ourselves
to whatever change of circumstances it may
occasion.
The prosecution of the war is the Gully sub
!ject of interest before the American people.
How can it be successfully ended, asks every
man who cares for the welfare of the country.
Every hour that it is unnecessarily prolonged
is fruitful of constant and increasing misery.
1t brings disturbance into every profession
and calling in life. 1t brings bereavement
and death to thousands upon thousands of
hearthstones on which no shadows ever fell
sad and depressing. We consent to keep all
other questions secondary to this one.
Emancipation is not commended and
wrought into policy for its own sake, but as
useful and necessary weapon of war against
the rebellion Elections are not contested for
the sake of local influence and prestige, but
with view to the effect OF their results upon
the conduct of the war. The merits of men
in high positions are canvassed at every street
corner, and wherever two or three are gath
cred together, not on account of personal re-
gard for them-for they were nothing in pub
lie opinion till the exigencies of the year made
them famous-but for the influence they ex-
ert in the conduct of the war.
This is the controlling, abs orbing interest.
The people want the war conducted in right
earnest Whenever it has been so, and re-
suits achieved proportionate to its cost, every
thing has seemed to go right. The admins
tration has been strong. Public confidence
has been buoyant and cheerful. Trade has
been lively and exultant. Patriots have been
encouraged. "Copperheads" and ''white feath-
er" men have been powerless. But when long
periods of delay and stagnation come-pre-
cious months of sunshine and brisk, strength
ening weather lost-then traitors gather cour-
age again, patriots lose heart. business lam
guishes, confidence falls into desuetude, and
the administration, of course, suffers the loss
OF that strong moral support which it must
have to prosecute the war with success.
We have just passed through one of these
sloughs of despond There were many who
were willing to organize at the north a sue
cessful resistance to the administration. Mas
sachusetts did not fall into the scheme, but
presented solid and unbroken front against
it-rebuking its authors and sympathizers by
the unmistakable verdict of her electors. 9th
er states were not so surely anchored. Ohio
led of against the administration, and won
the battle. A drawn battle was fought IN
Pennsylvania. Another has been fought and
lost in New York, with some circumstances of
peculiar modification, in which the friends of
the administration all over the country have
to some extent to share. The obstacles,
however, which they threaten are prospective.
For a year the dangerous influences which
they threatened will be powerless against the
president. In the meantime all parties unite
in the appeal for MORE vigorous prosecution
OF the war Let the president take them at
their word-qualifying nothing, retracting
nothing, but pushing straight forward-and he
and sincere men of all parties on his side, and
have only the liars and sympathzers with
treason against him. He would be stronger
thus than with their injurious voices raised in
Lis praise. He would have in congress at
the close of his administration grateful and
enthusiastic majority, forgetting the party in
tiuences which sent them there in the greater
interests of the country which he would have
successfully served.
For the war must go on. To retreat is i'm
possible. To stand still is disgraceful. But
TO go forward is at once possible and honor
able. With this sentiment we have no doubt
the president himself is deeply impressed. He
has been embarrassed unquestionably by I'M
wise dctation regarding appointments, -some-
times keeping unfit men in important com
nands after their usefulness was exhausted
and at others sacrificing deserving officers in
obedience to an unjust but overriding
elamor. Now all this is forgotten, and the
country only asks for victories. No party
could stand an hour in any loyal state against
an administration capable Of using its power
with economy and success, and of showing
from month to month Il sure record of its
progress The opposition, in the moment of
the success, say they desire vigorous prose-
cution Of the war. During these closing
months of this second year of the struggle let
them see that it is not possible for them to
palter with the country in double sense.
Let the relative strength of the Union and the
rebellion be tested now, and if the Union sur
yiye the shock, as it surely will in any fair
aud well-chosen field, we can make of the
third year a time for repairing losses, and Of
celebrating year Of jubilee and peace.
The EXPEDITION FROM NEwBERN.-The
expedition which sailed from Newbern on the
29th ult., under command of Major General
j. G. Foster, for Albemarle Sound, numbered
upwards of twelve thousand men, including