The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-24
The Geogria Robels Dependent
THE SITUATION.

From the Mobile Register and Advertiser oil $751;
1t seems to be the popular impression
we see it in mems faces, when we do not
hear it in their words-that the military
affairs of the Confederacy are not very cheer
ing just now. We may account for this
tone OF feeling by the fact that some time
has elapsed since our arms achieved any
success of moment. Thus victories seem,
at the first glance, to be as much the cause
as the consequence of patriotism. But be
cause when our arms are glorious with tri>
umph, and our patriotism effalges, and we
swear most enthusiastically by the Stars
and Bars" one man must not infer from the
quietude and cherries aspect OF another
that his patriotic confidence is less fixed and
earnest than if he were hurrahing over
fresh success of arms.
The affair at Drainesville contributed its
mite to the depression of public spirit. We
are so unused to adversely, that anything
which is not brilliant success seems de-
feat. There the invading army slew Colonel
Terry, as noble and brave man as wears
the Confederate uniform, at the pass OF
Green River. They have crossed that river
which many thought would be their Styx,
and are advancing in force. In Missouri,
too, our banner seems to trail for the tel
egraph tells US that Price is in full retreat.
Thus the enemy seems to be progressing
along our Northern frontier, while all
around US he lords it on our coasts, organ
ICES his expeditions on our soil, and threat
ers with further invasion. These are the
points of the situation.
A lull, pause, a suspense exists, precep
ed by minor events, which cause feeling OF
apprehension more than confidence as to the
future. We know that the enemy are in
great power, and mediate mischief and
feel that ere long their blows, the heaviest
of the war, must fall. We trust that their
hammer will strike our anvil !; but we are
not sure, for we are in doubt whether at
some points there is an anvil to meet the
hammer. These points can only be along
our coast, for we are ready to meet their
worst at Manassas, in Central Kentucky
and at Columbus, and also at most points
on the coast. But we do not know with
what an overwhelming force they may not
make an onslaught at some unprotected
point, and gain success to inspirit them
and dispirit us. Let US remember, however
that our determination in the prosecution oil
this war is not dependent on victories, though
theirs may be. If every battle ended in our
defeat, we must still offer battle, and make
new sacrifices of slaughter upon the altar OF
independence. If we could not win that in.
evitable goal of our effort by defeating the
enemy, we could do it by exhausting him
with his very victories. Wars have been
so wen. olive or die, survive or perish, u
We are "for independence"
But our cause does not approach this bad
strait yet. 1t displays almost an uninter-
rupted record of victories, and their remem-
brance shOdld inspire our entire confidence
as to its future history. This lull OF arms
will be broken anon by the shouts OF South-
ern victories, wherever on the border the
enemy may choose their battle fields. Is it
not why We wait impatiently that we wait
for victories Ii we dreaded defeat, We
should not be impatient for the event. Our
very impatience then is presage of victory
which lesser evidence of dependency cans
not discountenance.
Perhaps we are to pay for too joyous
hopes suggested by the Trent affair, in the
crushing dependency which will ensure in
case OF disappointment as to the result.
This will be profitable lesson, teaching us
that the reliance of the South is in its OWL
stout arms, not On the uncertain hope of a
short road to independence through foreign
Intervention. 1t would seem that we have
been actually resting upon our arms to hear
what Great Britain would say about the in.
suit to her flag, and the enemy seem to be
doing the same. The decision of Great
Britain is of momentous importance to u.s.
it is true but whatever it may be, military
activity in the meanwhile is our proper
course. Yet we do not charge any lack of
active intents on the part of our military
authorities, but it seems that our people
have given much more interested attention
to views from across the ocean than to mil
itary operations. This is not right. Our
hope and trust should be still 10 in our ar
mics in the field, as it has been heretofore
not in outside aid.