Washington telegraph., 1863-07-22

OF new era in the systems of government anC
social life.
OUR REvERsEs.-The agony of suspense i.
over. Vicksburg has fallen. The first report
was correct. She surrendered on the 4th OF
July. Port Hudson followed as a natural con.
sequence. The enemy now hold the waters OF
the Mississippi from Cairo to the Bali1e. We
are rid of the perplexities of anxiety-the con-
fused conflict of hopes and fears. We may
look our situation in the face and reason of il
calmly.
One consideration is first. and decides all.
Is the possession of any portion of the Mis-
| sissippi essential to our success? If it were.
we should have despaired at first, and never
| entered into the conflict No rational man has
doubted from the time of the fall of New Or
leans that the North might take the river. 1t
was anticipated more than a year ago; indeed
given up TO chem in public sentiment. The
resistance at Vicksburg was unexpected by the
mass of Southern people. No one then felt
any great dependency in the prospect of the
Federal occupation of all the river This is
all they have acquired after about fifteen
months of herculean effort, at the cost Of an
enormous expense in fleets and munitions, and
the sacrifice of many thousands of lives We
are indeed the gamer in excess of our own
eAPectations-of all that time, and the res=lts
In weakening the enemys or the iose q them
ot uh'oln Sums "f money and numbers OF lives.
But as farther proof that the holding Of any
portion of the river is not considered essential
it may be here stated that the defence of
Nicksburg at first was against the advice OF
Gen Beauregard. 1t may be now that the
war will take the course then indicated 10 his
mind, by being transferred to the interior,
and the wisdom Of his opinion indicated. We
are no worse off now than We woul have been
after the battle of Shiloh, if Vicksburg had
not made such an unexpected resistance.
Our actual loss is the amount of ordnance
ammunition and stores ON hand, and in the
moral effect upon our soldiers and the people
of the North. Reason and reflection must be
relied on to counteract this at home, and ex-
perience will soon convince the people of the
Northwest that as to opening to them free
navigation of the Mississippi and Southern
market, the capture Of vicksburg is barren
victory. We must rely upon time and our
own efforts to prove this Meanwhile We must
expect revival of the war spirit at the North
and renewed efforts to raise armies with some
better success, both of which We must meet as
becomes men fighting for independence.
Oar prisoners are really no loss. They will
soon be exchanged and take their places in
the army.
| The war will he probably transferred into
the interior. In that sort o: warfare we have
every thing to hope. As for recovering our
| strong places along the coast AMI rivers, that
must await n treaty of peace, and we are
| fighting for them in the interior as cffcctually
as in assaulting them for recnpture.
| The possession of the river will enable the
| enemy to concentrate forces rapidly at any
point for raid back into the country. Our
armies cannot protect the country against
these. Home companies of patriotic and de-
termined men can, as has been proven. This
| should be provided FOR without delay. 1t is
of the greatest Importance, and may save us
from incalculable damage. The enemy can
go any place where there is nothing to hinder
| them. 1t is foolish to calculate upon their
own caution that they will not do it.
After the first excitement is over, we think
the Federal government will not find that il
has accomplished much in getting vicksburg
and we will feel that our loss. though really
great and very notifying, does not strike u,
| apy mortal blow.