Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1863-04-01

fatal disease takes possession of its heart, and
ere long the withered branches drop away,
and the weakened trunk falls before some
gentle blast of spring.
So 1T is with nations. So it may be with us.
Those who were NEST skeptical at first, must
be now fully assured of the grandeur of our
strength. It is evident that no outward force
can subdue us. For two years the South has
withstood shock after shock of the most pow
erful enemy, considering resources and posi-
ton, which the world affords Their efforts
have arisen more terrible after each defeat,
of their most frantic strength. 1t has all been
unavailing. They are still baffled and make
no progress towards the consumma ton of their
grand object-the subjugation of the South
They have not been able to reach our capitol
They have failed to open the Mississippi
Their armies in our borders have only con-
quered the soil they stand upon. Around
them and behind them the people are unsub-
dued and lose no chance to strike a blow
Now the summer heats come on apaee. and the
daily increasing mortality in their ranks must
fall ominously upon their he arts, as a warning
that the opportunity is fast gliding away, and
they have accomplished nothing Our de-
| fences this winter have exceeded our hopes
| We knew their desperation. and feared their
| strength. We expected this that despite
our efforts, their gunboats would have over
run all our navigable streams; that our plan
| tations would be devastated, and our armies
driven TO mountain Businesses. Our souls were
| prepared to suffer that and remain uncon
quered. Thanks to the Providence which di-
| reefs the storm. have not yet been called
and peaceahly conducts its various departments
in the capitol. We held the Mississippi. and
our gallant armies I'D their ba filed hosts at
bay. The breath of spring floats over the
land, and our oak stands firm and waves its
branches in defiant pride of strength.
But to the anxious heart of the patriot.
there comes fear which dampens the exulta-
ton which would arise from this sublime spec
tacle. There is a glaring fact mournfully
recognizable by every one whose eyes are ,pen
to passing events. 4 great evil is arising in
the land fraught with danger. humiliation
ami disgrace. There is rot in the heart of
the body polite. If not arrested. and that
speedily, woe unto us Our strength will
wither away Simpsons shorn of his locks.
1t is this: The patriotism of cur citizens at
home is rapidly becoming consumed by an
insane fever of speculation and inordina tie
greed of gain. That noble enthusiasm which
prompted US at first to sacrifice property to fiji
out our so diers for the war, and to pledge our
fortunes to support the families of the volu n
teers ut home-alas where is 1t? In place
OF that, We find all around Us the necessaries
Of life boarded away from the reach of the
poor: prices. unheard of before, are refused.
and the whole soul of the people wrapt up in
the greedy anticipation Of rise to rates more
fabulous still. The greediness OF our traders
finds its direction in trade with the enemy.
with all its demoralizing practices, under which
any high and exalted patriotism must wither
away before the blasting breath of Mammon.
In this state of things, it is imposs ble for our
armies to be maintained in the field. Patri
Oll-Il l., III 0fUSi iililtt>, All aDSlIdCIOu. out
love of wives and children, and helpless moth
ers end sisters, is reaity-a noble instinct
more powerful than any other motive to hu-
man action. Ii s impossible that the soldier,
receiving pttance of eleven dollars month,
should rest content, whilst the spirit of avarice
and sp cculati, at home destroys all sympathy
| for his family amongst his richer neighbors.
and raises the price of provisions to such a
pitch tlat the wages of his toll and danger for
a month, cannot keep the wolf of hunger one
week from the door Of his wife and little ones
1t will prey upon his mind during his long and
weary hours of guard. 1t will keep him awake
upon his hard pallet before the watch-fres,
u when s.un.ber visits his eyelids he will be
visited by the soldiers Dream''-not the
beautiful picture of Campbell, but dream
| of emaciarcd forms and barefoot, and scanty
clothing. and of the mothers face marked by
traces of silent anguish. 1t is not human
nature that such an army should be effective
Things must be changed or our cause is lost.
And here let MS address an honest word to
the planters. and farmers, and mechanics of
the land You have been so much lauded and
tattered by politicians who seek your votes.
and ira desmen who desire your custom. that
| it should even be refreshing to meet with one
who sufficiently respects you to be able to
| address word of man ly remonstrance, without
fear or favor. 1t is the planters, farmers, and
such mechanics as produce the necessaries of
life, who have brought about this evil. They
have acted upon the principle that a thing is
worth what it will bring in market and each
one feels that it is unjust that he should be
called upon to forego profits which are enjoyed
by his neighbor. With some few honorable
exceptions, each has therefore contended for
the highest prices, and very many have with
held their produce from market in hope OF
higher still, whilst the poor are oppressed with
want. No evil has been intended perhaps.
but you have been misled by faliacy, and
the consequences are becoming terri BILE. 1t is
not true in time of war that man has a right
to sell an article for what it will bring. The
faintins Esau sold his pa irimony for mes,
of pottage, but the conduct of Jacob was M
less detestahle because he paid il WILLINGLY
The owner OF satchel of biscuit amongst shin
,urac Ean nd eta