The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-02

every direction, and contrast what we see with
what We might have seen one year since, we
shall find great occasion for encouragement and
perseverance, IN the contest for our national
institutions.
l. In looking across the ocean, We perceive
tina. the danger Of foreign Intervention is over.
Il is no longer an object with England or France
TO incur the hostility Of this great nation, by
helping band Of rebels who have nothing to offer
in return. The Confederate States, so far as
the power TO affect the welfare Of foreign nations
is concerned, exist only in name. Hence we
find that those great nations, from a proper re-
gard 10 their own interests, are now disposed TO
do justice 10 us, and conform to the Law OF ma
tons, BY preventing the fitting out OF armed
vessels in their ports to prey upon our COM
merce.
2. The rebel vessels which are on the ocean
have made a great destruction OF our commerce
during the year past, and most Of them are still
al large, having the whole earth for their field
Of operations. The Alabama was last heard Of
in the Bay Of Bengal This destruction Of
property although grievOus to individuals, will
not, however, affect in any degree, the struggle
we have with the rebeIious States. If the des-
truction made by them we're FIVE times as great
the people Of the United States would not for
moment think OF making a peace on that ac-
count. On the contrary, the native combati-
tveness Of the Anglo Saxon race would be more
deeply aroused and the demand would come up
from all parts Of the country, not to make peace
II 4
after the destroyers such force OF armed YES
sels a. would chase them to the ends OF the
earth, and make their destruction swift and sure.
3. The necessity or e1pedeney Of the expe-
diiion to Texas by Gen. Banks, We have never
been able to see. 1t has always appeared to US
that the same force, applied on THIS side OF the
Mississippi, would aid largely in crushing the
rebellion, while, after il should be overcome on
this side, Texas, OF its own accord, as a matter
Of necessity, would surrender without a struggle.
We do not see any reasonable prospect Of the
conquest Of the country by Gen. Banks. The
State Of Texas is larger than France, and has
population of 100000, averaging less than three
to the square mile; and the extent of the coun-
try, and the thinness Of the population. are, III
themselves, great obstacles to its reduction. The
only rational ground for the expedition that we
can conceive, would be the probable uprising Of
a large part Of the people in behalf Of the loyal
government. OF this we have seen, thus far,
10 indications. Some good results will, how
ever, undoubtedly follow from the invasion and
the known ability and energy of Gen. Banks give
ample assurance that all that man can DO to in
sure success, will be done.
4. II we take our stand on the bank OF the
Mississippi, and look up and down the river, We
shall see the steamboats, plying regularly be-
tween Cairo and New Orleans This greatest
achievement Of the war has been accomplished
during the past year. The opening of the river,
by cutting rebeldom into two nearly equal parts,
has rendered the ultimate overthrow Of the
COnfederacy certain, because our naval force is
so great we can always keep the river open.
Before this was done, the rebellion was a unit /;
now it is and must remain in two fragmentary
pieces, each separate and incapable of helping
each other.
3. The siege of Charleston was an important
and necessary, but difficult undertaking. OF
doubt: for the appliances Of modern science
are so numerous and powerful that no fortiica-
tons can withstand the attacks of large and
well appointed army, if continued for a sufficient
length Of time.
6. The opposing armies on the Potomac have
maintained essentially the same attitude to each
other during the year, the one guarding Rich
mOnd and the other Washington, except when
the army under Lee undertook the raid into
Pennsylvania. That expedition was desperate
in its character and was sure to result in disas-
ter to the rebel army. On its flank was an army
of veterans equal in force and in front was the
population Of Pennsylvania, 100000 strong,
pouring out its militia in vast numbers Much
mischief could be done by an invading army !;
but conquest was impossible: and the retreat OF
the invaders would have been a necessity, even
il they had won the battle Of Gettysburg: and
retreat through a hostile country, pressed by
powerful armies in flank and rear, could not have
been effected without heavy loss The raid Of
Lee was political necessity rather than expe-
dent or hopeful in a military point of view and
the result was such that it will not again be at
tempted. The armies on the Potomac have
thus far been nearly match for each other,
while the real victories Of the Federal arms have
been achieved 10 the South and West
7. The occupation of Chattanooga BY Rose
Grams threatened the very heart Of the rebellion.
railroad communication leads from thence to
Savannah, to Charleston, to Wilmington, and to
Richmond; and from that Central position
Federal army could penetrate into the whole in
terror OF the rebel States, which has not vet
been visited by hostile force. The ruem, AID.
preciated the greatness of the danger; and they
organized, to retake Chattanooga, one of the
most powerful aud efficient armies that they
have ever arrayed in the 6eld. Bragg failed of
full success in the first instance; and then a re-
treat sooner or later, before powerful hostile
armies, became a fixed necessity. 1t is now
taking place; and the result will be the perms-
nent security OF all the territory we hold north
and east of Chattanooga, while it viii open to
invasion the western part of Virginia aHd North
Carolina
s. IL was inevitable from the beginning, that
the war lasted long enough, the whole negro
population would be drawn into il. on one side
or the other. Accordingly, we find that during
the past year, free mGlattoes have been i'm.