Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-02

firmly believe thai the cause OF Southern INDIE.
pendence has sustained great injury from few er-
rors which, are very coTpRoh and widely spread
Our eyes are beginning 10 De opened nov, ans anem
who were laughed at few months ago, now hnd
opinions treatedwith consideration which were then
rIdjculed .-,-..... ~.
In the first place, our great was, in suppos-
ing that the war would be short one. Conse-
qentiy did net make proper Preparations for It.
This caused delay, both by our State and Geperal
Governments, IN procuring adequate supplies of
arms and ammunition at the outset when they
could baye been obtained This false idea delayed
the construction Of navy. This caused US to enrol
six and twelve months volunteers; and to suffer so
many points to be unprotected, which, by energy
and hard work could have been efectually fortified.
3 S2ndLy. We relied upon that broken reed Europe,
an all We deluded ourselves by crying " Cotton IS
/ king p" prated about recognition, intervention,
and Heaven knows what else Every one now sees
how baseeys was that hope j am glad it has fail
ed. I thought it just poSSible-but how lttle5woud
We have valued Independence gained in thatsway ST
The All Wise is teaching most vauatle les
son. firmly believe that we shall oursetces, IN
aided, achieve independence; but it viii be after
this generation has toiled and suffered for 1t, that
when gained it may be properly appreciated. 3
81. We have thought to weary ont the North !!
| have no doubt The Yankees are heartily tired of
the contest; but ianaticism and interest cnnbned
stimulate them to persist | hope they will keep
it up until people become so embitterUd against
them that hereafter, We shall have no intercourse
with them, social or political May the gulf of sep
aration be deep as hell and as wide as eternity
This firing out policy remiadS me of an anecdote
lately heard of man who was annoyed by a
neighbours dog which he wished to get rid of but
did not wish to shoot So one very cold night, after
he had retired he heard the dog come ON his lot
lie arose, and without dressing, out and sue
ceeded in catching the dog by tbs and held him
fast. HIS wife, alarmed by his long absence, went
out to see what was the matter, and found him as
described What are you dong there? says she.
Molly said he while his teeth chartered with cold
have caught this deg and intend to hold him here
until he freezes to death!
4th. We have appointed rs military leaders men
heretofore known only as politicians. Look at Wise,
aud Breckenridge, and Branch and Shaw. What
can you expect of such men? Why, SIMPLY diSas
ter: and when it comes you turn around and call
the men towards and fools. This is all wrong.
The men are both brave and patriotic; they have
good judgment about such affairs they con-
versant WITH and have only made mistake in their
calling. They have forgotten the adage "ShOe
maker stick to your last" Non o1ines Omnia pos
SHHlWS.
And here would make few remarks respecting
courage in battle. II Is very unjust Us well
roneous to brand a coward because be has
retreated. The noise and confusion of battle Devil
ders inexperienced troops, they lose their presence
Of mind; their situation appears far more perous
than it really is and the instinct of self preSsrva
ton them to retreat whereas, had they been
thoroughly drilled, well ofticered and brought into
action properly, or posted advantageousy they
would have acted bravcly.
Duane our best military writer, says Collection
in danger can scarcely be acquired but by habit ;
and an old soldier and Young one arc equally
brave the difference is, the former has, from habit
all his wits about him in danger, the latter has to
acquire it
- ne hat bocn
linen who despiSe danger most, when at n distance
have the strongest Of il when i is at hand
Courage may be the effect Of constitution, bat it is
reflection gives hrInneSS.'
5M. we have greatly erred in pursuing defen-
siye policy exclusively. | have heard this policy
defended By the argument that Ga decent respect
for the opinions of nank:nd' should induce TO
show that disposition is pacific, that only
obey the first law of nature in defending our hU'ueS
and fireSideS, while the North is an arrogant in
vader. | entertain a profound contempt for the
man whose freedom Of action is controlled by the
consideration "what will people SayY' Success is
the greatest argument and will fully satisfy the
nations of the earth, and the rest of mankind"
Again Ii is said We should pursue this course,
that we may not too greatly eXasperate the North,
as il is believed that We have many friends there
have heard of a who tried TO touch off a
non lightly, and was greatly surprised when it went
off with laundering bang" but he was wise
Friends may spar with gloves on, but the naked
fist is for an enemy!
Let us carry the torch and sword into the enemy'S
country. Let a navy and burn every sea-
coast town of theirs. Put them on the defensive,
and keep them in constant dread of descent upon
their territory Threaten Philadelphia with col
umn Of l0n, 600 men, and you force the enemy to
collect larger force there while at the same time
YOU hberate Maryland. Advance on Cincinnati with
an equal force aud they will to their senses
very rapidly. II Government needs 100000 men
for this special service they can be raised in ninety
days. ---r. ....s ......-.-s --- -.--
Let us abandon the defensive policy, which we
have followed too long, requiring it does so large
force to guard extensive country, in consc-
ouence of which our scattered forces are attacked
in detail and overwhelmed by numbers; for it
leaves the enemy to choose his point of attack and
to take that he shall be strongest that point
l. =" Generally speaking, the army acting the de-
fenSive is tue weaker; its commander wanting con-
tidence in his strength, either avoids battle alto
gelher endeavors by aid of ground to make
amends for disparity of numbers. He is also I'M
certain Of the enemys des gus. In nothing does
the fable of the bundle Of sticks apply more lOrci-
bly, than together We strong, apart we are
weak; this principle is known to all professional
men, and yet, perhaps to failure in applying it
may be attributed more mischief than to any cir
! cumstance in the whole circeo military events"
!. Though generally the defensive, the coul-
| mander of the weaker body should avail himself
! with energy of any mistakes committed by his ad-
! verSary, and become, for the time, the aSSailant
otherwise the defensive system must ever prove n
7 ruinous one: it is like the man who waits 10 be
! struck before he will strike and when lie does re-
/ ,ceiye the blow, it perhaps knocks him DOWN"
J. In addition to this, the offensive is in accordance
! with the impetuouS character OF our troops Duane
says; "Otensvc operations require ardor and valor
defensive ones cool collected courage Young troops
better calculated for the offensive than defensive
! operations if battle is to be fought, they had
better make the assault than wait to be attacked"
Lastly, War does not consist only in killing the
enemy. That is accessory, or SO. to speak, acci-
dental, as its only effect is temporarily 10 weaken
+ or intimidate the enemy. 3D.. ..,s.0..s.-.
Strategy, the highest art of War, is shown in
Selling or holding strong POSITIONS establish.
J inv off hash Of