Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-01
The Duration OF the war.
From the Petersburg Express, Aug rs.


The Richmond Wing, in an article yes
terday, under the above caption, suggests
plan for bringing the war to a close,
which we think would in all its details,
save one, prove eminently abortive. We
would, of course, be reioiced to think
otherwise, but we do not consider it at all
inconsistent with our devotion to the great
Southern cause to wish ardently for peace,
if it can be effected upon honorable and
mutually satisfactory terms. As the prop
osition OF the Wing is calculated to enlist
the attention of its readers, and probably
to inspire them with some confidence or
hope in its efficacy, we will examine it a
little. 50
A renewal of the invasion at the first
favorable opportunity is recommended.
This part of the proposition we admit
would be excellent if the invasion, sup
posing it to be made under the .circum-
stances required, was to be conducted in
exact accordance with the rules of
the Yankees themselves, as observed by
them on our own soil; burning, plumber
ing, destroying, imprisoning, desolating-
in other words, returning the cup to their
own lips which they have uniformly and
relentlessly pressed to ours. This is the
only kind of invasion that they should
have, as it is the only kind that possesses
tue NlrLue neCessaEy u sBlNe ~ PehCeiuI
tendency with such an enemy. They have
drugged invasion with oil the horrors that
fiendish malice could devise, and nnless
We do the very same in requitalS nothing
would be gained by assailing them in their
own territory. This we do not think our
Goyernment will ever permit or our Cen
erals consent to do, SO averse are they to
violation of the usages of civilized war
fare. For this reason we place no reliance
upon the efficacy of an invasion of the
North to bring about peaceful feeling
there,
We said that all the details of the Whig
proposition would prove abortive, save
one, and thati is "our own victories achIev-
ed over the Yankee armies" In these
alone lies our hopes of peace. The whole
solution of the great question lies exactly
here, and we should accordingly use all
the efforts and means in our power to
achieve victories. The result will certainly
insure peace. Weagree with our respect
ed contemporary that, if we had decisively
triumphed at Gettysburg, the whole North
would have been at our mercy. But such
a triumph unfortunately, was not achieved,
and the inconclusive issue of that bloody
conflict served but to prolong the war
The failure to rout the enemy, "horse, foot
and dragons" may have been accidental,
but what security have we that, if we re-
repeat the attempt, it may not similarly
miscarry
French intervention is an Instrumental
ity relied upon by the Wing for effecting
scheme of pacifcation-and it re.urges
upon our Government the exertion of every
effort to enlist France on our side, which it
seems to consider as o thing emineutly
practicable. We have no faith in this re-
course, because we have not seen mani
tested on the part of France, in such way
as to inspire us with any assurance, a dis
position to assist us What effect the con-
quest of Mexico and the political changes
about to be introduced in that country,
may have upon the relations between the
Confederate and French Governments, time
only can determine. Wemust wait further
| developments on this head before we can
entertain a hope of Napoleon's pursuing a
more friendly course toward us Than that
rigid neutral one which he has hitherto
pursued.