New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-11-21
THE NORTN-WEsT AND TEE MIS-
sIssfPPl.

Although public attention begins to be again
almost wholly concentrated on the struggle ~
Vrginia. we cannot afford u losc sight Oi the
Western campaigns. The tide 81 succe.a Gibbs
mud flows through Kentucky aud Tennessee;
tie war advances and roccdes along the shores
of tie Misaisippi; there are battles and
marches; get mother loyal nor Rebel arms seem
to establish themselves with uuyiclding foot
lold on Western soil IL is hardly lees diff
cult to bold than to conquer - vast terri
tory; yet, IN order 90 our complete aud de-
ci.i,c success It must be held m nn iron grasp
iciories IN virginia will not annihla'e the
Rebellion unless strengthened by victories IN
the Southwestern States. IL espe,inlly CON
Germs ms, therefore, 10 keep in mind the poll.i-
cal ana strategic importance Of the campaigns
on the Mississippi
The magnitude Of thcse efforts and the
wide naueIcc Of their results are occasionally
apparent even To foreigners. American geog
raphy ard politics are seen TO be- intimately
connected by those who give Tic nm intelligent
sympathy. Mr.. Cohd'n, one of the ahlest aud
best known among the few Euglshmcn proui.
nent in public life who have cspou-ed our
cause, In a recent speech 20 bis constituents
at Rochdale, expresses unusually clear views
If the relations between our Government aud
the great Western States-vicws wh'ch are
based on some knowledge of the geographical
importance of these States aud the political
weight they are dcslined to posscss. Mr.
Golden discusses the question especially with
reference to u foreign war OF Intervention, but
the considerations be suggests are of equal
consequence to TIE progress Of tho present
war.
The necessity Of the Mississippi as an outlet
to the Nortb-Western States was early teen
aud has been often iusstei ON. Iatterly II
has been the fashion 10 undcrratc its impor-
lance in consequence of the extension of artificial
channels of commerce, along which large pro-
portion Of the productions of Norh-Westeru
States seeks MI Eastern market. No doubt
much OF the trade that once flowed naturally
and inevitably to New Orleans has been d.
yerted The Mississippi nevertheless remains
and will always Remain of incalculabe inpor.
lance IN developing the industrial resources OF
these States. The corn OF Iowa finds n better
market in the cotton aud sGear-growlng States
of the South than will ever open 10 II at the
East in competition with harycsts that are
nearer TO Eastern depols and ports.
Before the war the South was dependent ON
the Noglh.Wert for bread. It's lands were de-
voted 10 cotton, tobacco, rIcc, and sugar; and
while these crops bad ready .aic aud returned
large profits, the South was content to buy
the food which supported her laborcrs. Her
cheapest supplies were from tie North Western
States. Tie war has changed oil that. Una
bic 20 export cotton, and equally unable to
import corn, the Southern planters were com.
PEELED ~ give up their lands 10 grain. The
moment they are able again to sell cotton,
crops--ior they will no longer raise corn ON
land which pays better with cotton. In this
view, it is OF the last consequence to the
States that the authority OF the Federal Gov
eminent should be- recsinblished over tho Sc.
coded States IL is plain there can be- no
export Of cotton til that is accomplished, and
equally plain that TO those distant cotton-grow-
ing States to which no other market is open,
i is Of more importance than to any others.
The Southern leaders, clear sighted IN this ~
N other matters affecting their political and
economical interests. present and future. have
seen tho necessity OF securing. II possble. the
adhesion Of tbs NYgth.Wo,t. Kentucky aud