Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-09-05
THE Y-STATF 81 ITS,
RICHMOND WIG.
SATURDAY MOANING. SEPT. :, 1858.
How to End the War

foreeastng the policy aud conduct Of those by whom
the war :. directed. How much longer We are TO be
engaged in this bloody struggle depends entirely upon
the manner in which III Is waged, aud this IN IT.
turn depends upon three things:
lst. Tue wisdom and energy Of the Administration.
I'd The fidelity and courage Of the A'my, Including
The skin of its leaders,
Sd The Hberality and cOusIancy of the People
We omit any aIusiOu here 20 the agency Of Con
gress in contr bung 10 the successful progress and
satisfactory conclusion of the war, because we are o.
opinion tina. the egslton already in existence is sui
Gent for those purposes wisely and vigorously enforced
We do rot hesitate to express the belief that the
three powers or bodies enumerated would each come
M 10 the full measure Of its duty, the opening Of the
next year would witness peace dictated ~ ourseIve9
and gladly accepted BY the enemy. But to rake this
pcs,bs reform ,tiou is Indispensable in the Admins
tratOn, ard in the Army, aud among the People.
The Administration needs to be almost entirely re
modeled-the respectable gentlemen who con Pose it
hepq of too light metal aud too small cabbre fer the
heavy work they have in hand The Cabinet should b,
.,mposed o. the very 6-st ia the country 10 re-
speet to ability, experience, devotion and energy We
do not impeach nor suspect the zeal Of the present
members. We doubt no. they labor With PraseWorihy
diligence aud devotion their respective departments
but We are convinced that their shoulders not broad
enough for the Atlas Of cause TO rect upon Sc
eurely The task calls for giants, if they are 10 BE-
found men o. The gr,a-est ability, the most eomPre-
henSve minds the quickest aud eelrest sagaeity, the
rgest resources; OF character aud authority and
vii, Of unalgging energy and Intense earnestness We
know not If such men are to bs found, but It will
hardly be gansaid that such cAsrActeTiscS are 70 be
found Appropriated more nearly among men out Of
than 18th those in the Cabinet And Where al! that is
desired cannot be obtained it is the rule Of common
sense 70 take tAs best get The duty OF the TX
seutive then il We may say without presumption, is
10 strengthen his administration by bringing into his
Cabinet reinforcement Of those qualities and AttIi-
butes that will ensure al times the Wisest counsel
and the most skif energetic aud successful execution
The good effects Of such reform would not only be
seen in the general policy Of the Government bu, they
would strike down through al the departments aud
uemea,e every branch and rlmi6eaIioa Of tue public
service.
In the Army the great evil ~ b. reformed is de5Cr
lion and is kindred crimes Of absence without leave
struggling, mAhngerng - By these the army IS shoin
Of one half OF lis strength aud instead Of being ire
sstable or aggression is even uncertain for defence
Could all who are absent crimnhly or improperly
be at once resored to their commands there -nOtbrg
We have ever dreamed Of possible that could not be
sccompE he'd speedily aud infAhJly- nothirg that We
have los. that gbl not be regaued The enemy have
no army that could stand before ~ stronghold thai
could resist US no that could escape ~ via
uout that could be protected against Us. II with tic
force that has always been at tie pest o. duy
been able 20 do wba, We have done villa: might not
have done II that force hadbc,n always douoy great
a il would have been If oil had been where their duy
"a soldiers and their honor meu demanded Think OF
the opportunities have been compelled 10 lose for
lack of men the victories that have had 10 leave IN
eomrete and comparatively hutess the checks and re-
verses and failures We have sustaiaed for the
cause But for absenleeism, every tile would have
baen victory, and every movement OF armies
yard. Not an enemy Eouli have been alb to maintain
y. foo,hod on our soil, and their whole forces called
home to defend their own fresdes would have been
able 10 arrest our still advancing and victorious
columns. Long ere this they would have been com
PEELED 70 sue for Isloe Aud what might have been
nav vet be- if this monster evil can be Returned if those
Low in tie field remain steadissty there aud those alb
sent can be brought back to their posts Is this mpos
sblsy Greater vigilance aud discipline tie part Of
officers and higher tone among the men will go far
towards preventing further deseItOns, while s;erne
conduct among the people and strngen. legislation by
the States would do much towards driving back to duty
thOse who are nov absent
We need scarcely say What i. Is among the People
that needs TO be reformed When this began, there
Was glorious emulation as to who should give mos.
For once all eacuat on of interest and all consideration
os self seemed to yield to a LOble spirit Of public
zeal The cause everything So was in the Rs''
outon yet in the third year OF that struggle the great
Washington vas compelled in bitterness Of soul to de-
clare othA speculation, pceuatiOn and the Unsuitable
thirst for riches have got the better of every
other consideration aud almost OF every order OF men
Hss not this evil time come sga.u: Are we not vic
tina TO- and witnesses of the l-bOding and dis
sustng vice. the prevalence Of which, in his day, sick
enei the heart Of the mighty chiefLaia Nor Is this
an; but in some quarters are forced to recogu zs
ugly indications Of waning faith, eoWsrdy proofs
Of willingness purchase peace and security by the
barter Of honor and independence. These ignobl.,
uagn and fatal feelings must be rooted ous from the
hosoms Of cur people They must return to the self
ascr6cing and heroic spirit which in the begnn con-
trosd and sustained every heart They mus. feel that
all that they have belongs to the country, aud that i,
Is better 10 submit. to penury suffering torture ev,n
death than to yield to the base and remOrseless foe.
Lberaty and eOnsancy on the part efthe people are
the fountain tba. gives life and the foundation that
gives strength to the cause and to all who in any
pleity are engaged in mantainDgit Taey must never
fall
What then, do need enable to close this ter
rbe war speedily and glOfOusly? NothiDgh impOs-
sbe Nothing that is no: in power aud may not be
had By wiling it. The President, if he wills IT. may
have the strongest Administration the country fur
uish and We verify believe that bis action to that end
you'll give more joy the country than the capture Ofthe
suemy's Capital TIE soldiers may make our armies
,nviDcbls and irresista if they viii IL BY every man