Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-29

Vrcropv ~ CoxNFcrIcuT PREFERRED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION TO VICToRY AT CHARLESTON
THE CoSrlsr AT THOSE Two PoINTs-GRAyE
Aspect OF OUR FOREIGN RELATIoNs-MLI-
TARY AFFAIRS on THE RAPPAHANSocK, &C.
From the Special Correspondents of the Chicago Times
WASHINGTON, April Is.
Two events of Importance to the Administra
ton have happened since my last-the election in
Connecticut and the ~repulse at Charleston. If
the alternative of victory in either place was pre-
sented, there is no doubt those i'm power here
would take the triumph for the Republican party
at the polls, in preference TO The fall of Charles
ton. In fact, partisan speeches of this purport
were often made, pending the Connecticut can
Yass. Had there been as much hard work dis
PLAYED in moving our armies in the field, as there
was to carry that contest, an important victory
would have been won over the enemy, long ere
this. Let us glance at this for a moment In
Washington, every Federal officer was forced
to contribute-contractors treble all others; every
Connecticut man here was sent home TO vote,
with expenses paid; over one thousand GONZALES
cent soldiers from camp and hospital, were given
a furlongh of thirty days, if they would 60 home
and vote the Republican ticket; selections were
made of Republicans only from Connecticut re
giments, at Arlington flights, and Democrats
were peremptorily refused any absence. This
makes more than Buckingham's mai0rity-to
say nothing of the funds raised in New York and
elsewhere to make it certain by purchasing votes
in the State. This same rule was applied to all
officers there, as in New Hampshire-whO inten-
ded, or did dare, TO vote the Democratic ticket
dismissal from the service. Is it any wonder,
then, that with this immense pressure, the result
was an Administration triumph?
The repulse at Charleston was generally anti
cipated here, even in some sensible official quar-
tiers. If the iron clads stood a fair trial in invul-
nerability, the most sanguine could not under
stand how thirty four guns could be worked
against three hundred in forts and batteries; for,
it no shot had penetrated the feet, il was evident
that the terrible pounding which it would receive
would batter the port holes and turrets to such an
extent as to prevent IA successful working of the
guns. In fac, such was the case with the iron
clads not Immediately in range of the enemy's
guns. But the Administration went blindlv to
work to take Charleston, over a year ago. They
gave the enemy full notice of their intention:
and. not content with the hue and cry over il,
they permitted the principal hand organ. the
Philadelphia Press. 20 publish full details of the
contemplated attack. Gentlemen direct from
Charleston three weeks since, who were properly
vouched for, called on the Navy Department. and
demonstrated against any attack being made.
They believed it to he utterly impossible for the
place to be taken. either by land or water. As
long ago as last September. the Charleston Cour-
Ter gave a description of the defences of the city
then, based on a personal visit of the editor. 1T
is scarcely possible, it says, "witbin range OF
easy vision, to place ones eve on any prominent
spot that is not frowning with ordnance of the
most approved and destructive character. As
auxiliaries to the effectiveness of these enemy
lettering Notifications, there are also Instructions
and destructives, movable aud fixed. seen and un
seen, which altogether beget a confidence in
those possessing a knowledge of their character
that leads irresistibly to the conclusion that su.
perior engineering skill has made. and is still
making. our city more and more imprecnable 10
the attack or attacks of that vandal horde. who
We know, owe US undying grudge for having
made them once and again kiss the bitter rod oil
defeat and humiliation within our precincts. 4
fire, north, south, east, and west, direct, cross
plunging, and concentrated, with other formida
be hindrances, and before getting out of the
range of these engines of destruction of one line
of fertilization, running directly within range Of
those of a dozen others, would, in the opinion o
those of experience, render the situation of AM
foe, in an attack. on Charleston, extremely haz
ardOus. if not, perhaps, wholly nextricable."
Our foreign relations are assuming a grave as
pect, and no cOncealment is made of the fact
Secretary Seward has sent out dispatches to Min
ister Adams which must cause no little trouble
They assume. without doubt. that the fitting on
of vessels for the enemy in English ports will b,
regarded as "A belligerent act. itisa little strang,
that Sumner is found here almost daily in con
~sultatiOn with the President, making determines
opposition to Stewards policy, and advocating
milder one. He has evidently shrewdness enough
to see that a foreign war is playing into the hand
of the enemy at home.
Military affairs on the RappahannOck are still
inactive, beyond a series of grand reviews, 70
which Gen. Mcclellan was once attacked so bit
terly by the radicals. No movement has We
been made by the army, though the roads hav
been hard and dusty for over a week. The Pres
ident has ended his visit, and the Geographic con
sorship over it has been removed. The army O
Lee is still on the opposite side of the Rappahan
mock, with its ranks reported to be fast filling u
with cOnscription. 1t is not the general belief
however, that a battle viii be fought when Hook
er crosses. The enemy have always retreate,
inland just at the moment when we resume tn
offensive, thus Worrying us into the summer AM
prolonging the campaign. This will certainly b
the policy now, when the enemy need so mucl
the supplies of the coming spring crop.
The Boston Commercial, a strong Administra
ton paper, is out with n remarkable article OF
the President. 1t is characteristics of the wing o
the party, bent on %disuniOn, with Chase for Pres
ident of the North. In speaking of the proclaim
alton for a days fasting and prayer for the resto
ration "Of the country to its former happy condi
ton of unity and peace" it says: MAY tn
tongue be withered ere it is answered-that pray
for the restoration OF that old unity and peace
That unity was crime; that peace worse thal
war"
Washington is filled with visitors. The hott
lists stretch out into columns in the daily paDers
while the boarding houses are likewise crowded
The theatres are in full blast. X.