The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-06
Letter from the National Capital.
WAsuINoroN June aO,b

u uuc Oulily lcUC.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The war cloud threatens and lowers more
darkly than for long time past. The alarm
and distress, the ravage and devastation, caus-
ed by the Rebel invasion, cannot be contem-
plated without grief. AS day by day this
grand plundering expedition has developed
proportions and developed its strength, dismay
has gone to the every heart of the loyal States.
Still, as events proceed, it becomes more APP
parent that this alarm is in part, at least, I'M
necessary. The Rebels are bent on appro-
priating to themselves vast amount Of spoil,
and unless defeated and driven back in coufu-
sion viii do it. This is a humiating state
of things, but it might be worse.
Were their strength sufficient to invest
Washington, or to beleaguer Baltimore, or
push their flushed columns upon Philadelphia,
this would be worse. This / do not believe
they have strength to accomplish, or even dis
position to attempt. They want just what
the open country yields in abundance, and
what they have obtained thus far without fight
ing for it. Ii they had lain quietly behind
their entertainments on the Rappahannock
merely holding our forces in check, and sent
all their disposable force South and West, this
also would have been worse. As it is they
are playing bold game and one with many
risks in it, The northern militia, many of
whom have seen service and are not TO be de-
spised even by veteran troops are collecting
in heavy masses on their front, while the Ar
my of the Potomac regards their movements
from another quarter with a vigilant eye. 1t
was believed here on Sunday, that the week
would not close without great and decisive
battle.
The removal of General Hooker and the APP
pointment of General Meade however, may
have changed the probabilities OF battle con-
siderably. The prevailing opinion seems to be
that this step grew out of a difference of opin-
ion between Gen. Hooker and Gen. Halleck,
the former wishing to fight the enemy and the
latter oyerruling this plan in favor OF a more
cautious course. the new commander is spok-
en- Of by those who have had an excellent OPP
portunity ofknowing, as brave and determin-
ed and highly successful officer.
The subsistence of the first excitement con-
sequent upon the Rebel inroad, was only tenn
porary with us. The last week closed, aud
the present began with an anxious and troub-
led state of public feeling in the Capital The
audacious dash OF Rebels last Sunday upon
wagon train, almost within sight of Wash
ington, was magnified to an alarming event
the enemy were at the Relay Honse; and ma
ny reports that could not have found currency
at any other time passed as is apt to be the
case like legal tender, or at least without chal-
lenge or contradiction. This state of things
however is improving, and the public mind is
regaining its equilibrium. Still small things
disturb it. A rumor of the removal of Sec
rotary Stanton and the appointment of Gen.
Butler to his place spread rapidly through the
city yesterday afternoon, and if the accident
that delayed the evening train from New York
an hour and a half caused it to fail altogether
there would have been great sizzle in little
kettle before morning. Let us labor with
calm and steady courage and wait with pa
thence for the deliverence which we trust is to
come.
Those of us who remember the tone of the
Washington pulpit two years since, have been
| greatly refreshed this evening by listening to
an address on the subject of loyalty delivered
by the Rev DIR. Sunderland in the hall of the
| Union League. The hall was filed to its ut
most capacity with those who were glad to
see a reverend divine descending from Tho
high abstract sanctity, and lay about him
manfully for the right. Nor were they in the
least disappointed. The effort was splendid
one and will be given to the public.
TSP.