Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-11-18

uncopgeuial association with apeople who had prov
cd themselves to be ten times worse than even n
had supposed them to be, the Confederate State
would spring forward in q career Of happiness an
prosperity surprising the dreams OF tho most san
guine. .:ss.e1-.r -
The President again returned thanks fos. his kim
and enthusiastic reception, and withdrew W.
nington Journal ~ : 81 e~sa-a
| .-,s-- ..s... - -
The country may as we'll prepare itself for aneth
er retreat in the West The indications Of the an
nua migration of birds are scarcely more unerrins
than are the augures which foretell the dsarpoint
ment of the high expectations formed of the results
| to be attained in that quarter After a continuance
of favorable prognostcs to which additional strength
! was given by the confident tone Of the President
since his recent tour of Inspections after reiterated
assurances of the straits to which the enemy wa.
| reduced; of the precarious tenure of his communi
cations the difficulties Of subsistence by which h
was pressed and the impossibility of his long con
tnuance in his present position, we now note GER
tain, and somewhat inde6aable change of tone
which, to people rendered doubly acute by long
habit and deep interest," serves to mark the fall OF
the barometer and to give warning of the coming
storm.
A certain vague mistiness of detail; an uncertain
ty as to the actual position of affairs; confusion and
contradiction in the various accounts which reach
are omeDs which the experience, We have been
forced to acquire in the art of dinatlon tells US
are to be interpreted in bad sense 1t is well that
they should precede the unpieasiDg reality that
the public mind, inflated vita too large dose of
confidence, and braced to too great degree Of ten
sion should be gradually depleted and relaxed.-
The power CT adaptation, which is so strong facul
ty of the human mind, and that simple philosophy
which, though not derived from the schools sprin.
so spontaneously out of the rough lessons of life
will enable the country to bear the disappointment
of its high hopes it has before now endured more
serious disasters, with constancy and frmness. A
little time and gentle preparation will render the
process easier and give the requisite tone to the
orgies and fortitude of the people, ,....,5 -,
The newspapers were enjoined at the beginning
of the war, and they have in general displayed com.
mendable disposition, to observe proper reticence
as to the movements of troops and the probable
plans of our generals. 1t may be doubted, en- pas
SAINT il the practice now prevalent at Charleston, Of
publishing the exact number of the enemy's shuts
which strike, and the amount of damage they do,
is exactly in accordance with the prudent policy
usually observed. But no matter what may be the
general freedom from censure in this respect there
Is one point on which there is much to blame, not
so much for any warning or information il gives the
enemy as for its sad effect upon own people.
1t IS the continual and exrayagant representations
That are made OF the advantageous positions occu-
pied by our army, and the great results that are
soon to ensue. The enemy's army is at one time
hemmed in between q river and our own forces at
one time; at another bis flank is turned, one corps
entirely cut ot, and its destruction certain; again.
his communications are embarrassed that be must
light to save himself from starvation These knci.
fu Statements excite the contempt OF the observer
VIII, knows from general history how rare occur
renee is the absolute destruction or surrender Of an
entire army, and how difficult to bar oil avenues of
retreat Applied to- our own position and read BY
the light OF the history of the last two years, they
excite an uneasy feeling Of apprehension. They re-
call too many glowing promises of the same nature
all OF which, after begetng undue feeling Of Ella
tlon and high expectations, inevitably doomed to
De disappointed even by more signal success than
usually waits on military operations, have been fol-
lowed by feeling Of dependency at the unsatisac
and Swelling prologues" be considered contraband
in future The serious difficulties of the war are
enough to try all our fortitude Let US not add
those engendered by re action arising from over
wrought expectation.
Accidents are to be.looked for as incident To ra,
The most skillful plans are often deranged ~ for
tultous circumstances or the fault of subordnates
great commander must overcome these obstacles:
recty errors and direct to the best advantage the
capacity Of his lisutenants The Bavarian General.
Madde it is related arriving late upon the field of
"agran, said to Napoleon, Il fear have deranped
your Aajesty's plans" II have no plan" reioined
Napoleon "but as you have come, we viii attack"
mat great commander was often subjected to- &C.
rious misto:tunes from the deficiency Of his subor-
onates, out his controlling genius admirably reeu-
mated and employed their various talents Consis.
tent accounts reach us not only of mistakes in ex
ecution, but Of disagreement and discord in the
councils Of the Western army 1t is certain that
with such state Of things full eff cheney cannot be
expected from an army. The chief should be made
TO suit the lieutenants the eutenants ,nada to
SUIT the Chief Until this is done the valor of our
troops a., WI probably win success upon pitched
nso out the fail fruits Of victory will not be grasp
upon the elaborate execution of extensive conh;na
tions.-Rich Es,miasr.