Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-24
ENGLISH OPINION OF AFFAIRS IN AMERICA
[Prcm the London Post, semi oacisD July 81

[Prcm the London Post, (ssmi. ofcaD July 81
Notwithstanding the recent reverses sustained by the
Southern Conlederacy, it may well be doubted whether
any material advantages have accrued TO the Federal
government. The South has lost many men aid large
quantities Of wake stores and has seen Iass into the
hands of its enemy OF the most important o. its sra
tcgc positions within its territories but although the
blows hich have been inflicted must appear undoubted
y heavy, it is questionable whether by the federal gov
ernment they can be turned to any practical
The campaign n the Northeast will once more be carried
ON within the limits o. Virginia, Maryland and Penn
syVana longer obliged to support hostile army
Gen. Meade had not according the latest accounts
crossed the Potomac, but when he does it will be either
the old position at Falmouth or some other
from which operations may be conducted against Rich
mOnd with some hopes OF success That those operations
will prove successful there is however, no reason to be-
leye. Although Lee experienced heavy losses at &c
tysburg, his opponent suffered less severely and
citing on the defensive the CoDfedeates will doubtless
be well able as hitherto to oppose the advance of the
grand army of the North The marked dissemination
which Meade has shown to tread the heels of the
retreaing Confederates betokens want Of confidence
in his own strength which is probably not without ex-
cuse although Liz forces sufficiently numerous to
hold a strong defensive position their own ii, against
the repeated assaults OF the Southern army Not being
Pope or Hooker, he does no jump at the conclusion
that, when carrying war / TO an enemys country he
would prove invincible. Unless considerably
reinforced, it will not be possible for the federal gel
eral 10 do more than threaten the Confederate
capital. So long SIS he occupies position either on
the left bank of the Rappahannock or elsewhere in
the vicinity of Richmond, so long the Confederate
government will be obliged to maintain their finest
army in state of comparative idlenoss. Bat OF re-
Inducements there no prospect IL has been stated
to be the intention Of the government at Washington
enforce the conscrpton Notwithstanding the recent
riots. Whatever may be the projects OF The admins
traon, there can be doubt thai the draft will ever
be assented to by the Northern population. The feds
raj Cabinet may threaten to enforce but they do not
possess the means. Mr.. Line might possibly wish 10
convert New York into Warsaw, but in ordcr TO DO
so he would be obliged to occupy it with numerous
army. New York Is, however, orly one of number of
Cities in every one OF which the inhabitants have with
more or less vehemepce, )unced their refusal TO be
dragged from their homes to fill the ranks of the fede.
raj army. II Mr. Lincoln would enforce consc ip,op.
he empoy his in carrying into effect the
orders of his provost msrshall. New York was pro-
nounced by its Governor to be a state of nsurrec.
ton, but we may next expect 10 hear that It has been
declared by the President to be in state of SIEGE We
do not think however that feeble attempt at estab
fishing military dictatorship will either strengthen the
federal government or recruit the federal armies
But If in Virginia niltery operations will in all PRO-
liability flag, there seems little likelihood OF the Northern
armies being Lble in other parts Of the Confederacy to
do more thai retain the positions they present oc-
cupy. The nects Of proyi ng Y cksburg and Port
Hudson wi strong CARTONS will have the effect of
Withdrawing from active service inconsiderabe por-
ton of the armies which have succeeded in reducing
them 1t is of the necessary incidents of the war
in which they engaged that tie Federal Govern
ment must employ one setOf armies in retaining pos
session Of territories which another of armies have
conquered. 1t is true that at the present the
navigation of the Mississippi is comparatively speaking
uninerrupted; but still it il far from being in tina.
condition which the necessities of commerce i'm |
perativey demand. The Federals canno. occupy |
the banks Of river which flows for many hum |
dreds of miles throughout enemys country aud |
their inability to secure protection for vessels nav
eating the Mississippi should teach them how hopeless it
is to expect exercise undsputed dominion through
out the length and breadth OF the Southern States II
the federal government really sangu ng
the results of the war; and if they think their
successes are of such kind be FLY celebrated by
q day of general Thanksgiving, they would do well to
cast glance on the map oil the Confederate States.
Out Of the many hundreds Of thousands osquare miles
over which the Southern territories extend they might
count by hundreds those in which they have rees.ab
lshed their dominion. The Unionists of the North
should never forget that in order to succeed in
tAblishing in its original integrity the Great Republic of
the West they must not only conquer the Southern |
population, but reduce it to perpetual submission.
The siege of Charleston has been renewed though in
different FORM Even iron.clad Monitors have been
obliged to succumb to Notifications which built