Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-08
Our Opportunity.

The larges; ard finest army the enemy have ever
brought into action has just been thoroughly beaten in
the greatest battle OF the war. Thousands of its best
streW the bloody plains Of SpOtyvanio thousands
are in hands prisoners Of war; and the re.
msinder shattered in organization and broken in spirit
for protection under the shelter Of vorss thrown
up With all the desperation Of mortal terror This blow
on the Rlppahanuock VIII be felt in its paralyzing in
auence everywhere in lie eremys country, and espe
ciay through their armies Hooker had boosted that
he had "the finest army on the planet" He had been
allowed his own time to prepare them thoroughly fer
battle. He chose his own opportunity and his own
mode Of battle, compelling General Lee, while an i'm
por'ant part Of his fOTce absent to brig bis
reduced numbers out OF their Notifications and meet
him on ground Of his own selection. It was in
possible that the enemy could have desired terms more
favorable or could have bad strerg.r Indictment 10
strain every sinew for victory Blu, with these adyan-
tages aud inducements, material aud moral, he failed
sisuay, ignominiousiy disastTou,ly Under such c r.
curs tlnces, the people and the armies Of the North
cauno. help asking themselves II Hooker, with bis
army could not cope win Lee with bis army, in the
circumstances attending the late engagement how and
wb,te can Se meet the Con.edera,es successfully
10 any inpor ant battle = The answer ui send chill
through the already trembling heart Of YankeedOm
But this Is not al Upon the very heels Of this de-
feat comes the retirement from service Of some two
hundred thousand men. While they were in the ranks.
the forces Of the enemy vast they we're, were yet
insufficient to make headNay accomplish any thing
decisive. What can they hope to do when twenty-five
per cent Of that number Itself Lot great enough for
their purpose, is lost
80. i
Charleston that the new engines OF marine war upon
which they had expended such vast sums, aud from
which they expected such important service are as inca
pable Of accomplishing that for which they we're design
ed As their armies on land Practically, their terrible
Monitors are failures, for they cannot do what they
were intended for. This was a stunning disappointment
to them The failure to take Charleston not only left
their vengeance banked and thrown back upon itself TO
burn and eoIrOde their own hearts but it LEFT them
without he strategic advantage Of possessing that key
the South, and without the diplomatic des'deratum
Of making The blockade Of that port something more
lhan nominal.
This Is not al. The water courses in the West aud
South, which have stood them in such good stead az
highways for transporting armies and supplies and as
channels through which, by means Of gubboats and
irORelads they could push their ncurSons compare
tive safety far into lines are now about to become
useless to them. Without such aid it is difficult to see
how their great army under ROsecrans can maintain
even defensive position in the face of the energetic
and skilfu JObnstOn-while the armies Of Grant and
Banks further South suffering from the same disadvan-
tAge, with the deadly sumner malaria Of those ati,urs
superadded viii not only be rendered npoten. for harm,
but N fare well if not destroyed BY an eaemy mole ia
resistabe than any armed Zoe they have encountered
This then is tie sitsatiOn of the enemy What is
ours All that IS dishearteung and adverse 70 tie
enemy IS animating and encouraging to u. So much
for our moral status As TO the material we are now
10 the language Of the Augusta Cbroaicls upon what
may be called strictly "a footing" The valor and
cOnstancy Of the army the patriotism and sedenal Of
the people, the energy Of the Government sound states
manshp and judicial financial measures have combined
20 give US strength and position that we have never
enjoyed before. We stand upon basis that will
enable Us TO carry on war indefinitely and without m-
posing burdens too ouerous for the shoulders of our
people. We assured Of abundance Of food, if
the heavens but smile PrOPidOusly The Government
viii be provided with supplies for the army by the re-
eep Of immense amount Of produce paid in as taxes
We are rescued from the slough of redundant cur
rsney by the retiring Of a large amount Nnoes cut
standing and the tax to be paid in money will plyNbe
Interest on the public debt and all the other ordinary ex
penses Of the Government We have, then, by the So
luton of those important financial problems which the
straits imposed by have forced upon us-diminis
cd our expenditures, provided the means Of purchase
cheapened I've hope the price Of the neeessaries Of
life restored confidence in the currency exercised the
fen demon Of starvation and made our sccumuating
supplies Of provisions available for the use of the army
We have Tassed our crisis, and are now ready for |
vigorous and decisive work. The enemy from the caus
70 which have advered is now, or is soon to be, ia
the worst relative condition be has occupied since the