Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-03
The Prospect-After Peace What ?

AlnouRu We nave Waiteu iOh5 IVA '"S
victories we had a right to expect, and
the sad repulse at Fredericksburg is yet
unavenged, there has never been bet
ter public feeling in respect TO the war
than at this moment. The period OF en-
thusiasm and delusive expectation ended
with the battle OF Fredericksburg. Then
came the period of dependency, when
the most stout hearted could speak no
word of hope, and the best attitude the
people could assume was an effort to en-
dure the worst that might befall with
stoical indifference. Treason then be-
gan to show itself boldly at the North,
and the rebels were made glad with the
hope that by sedition and civil war in the
loyal states they should win what their
own strength had failed to accomplish.
But the heart of the North has recover
ed itself. Enthusiasm has given place
to cool determination. All loyal men
have come to see that there is neither
national nor personal salvation except in
the defeat of the rebels, and TO resolve
that it shall be done, at whatever cost of
time, money and life. This is the set
tied purpose of the great mass ofthe peo-
pie of all parties and those who treason
ably talk of concession and peace are
tolerated only because their talk is coun-
ted harmless.
This stern fxedness of purpose is half
the battle. The rebels understand it,
and they cannot conceal their disappoint-
ment and dismay. Other nations com
prehend it, and see that it is best for
them to keep hands off, and leave us to
fight out our own quarrel. The traitors
and towards in our midst begin to feel
the pressure, and are making haste to
disclaim all sympathy with treason and
all desire to embarrass the government.
To reinforce this popular determination
in the cause of the Union, and to trans
form resolution into confidence, the mil
tary aspect is becoming daily more and
more favorable. The credit of the gov
eminent improves constantly. The stock
brokers, who read facts and intentions
with an eye to the main chance, show
that they believe in the ability of the
government to do what it has undertake
en-, and that they are calculating on a
quick and victorious campaign. The
exhaustion OF the rebels is TO De longer
disguised. Their leaders are without
resources, and their credit is fast running
down to zero. They are feeding their
soldiers by pillaging their own people.
Their armies may be as large as ever,
but they have conscripted not only the
able bodied, but the old men and boys,
and are now trying the doubtful expert
ment of arming their own slaves. If
they meet with heavy reverses now they
have nothing to fall back upon. If we
are defeated in any of the pending bat
ties, the government has hundreds of
thousands of able bodied men at its call.
But all indications warrant the hope that
we shall finish the rebellion with the
troops now in the field. If we succeed
only in the Mississippi valley, and hold
our own elsewhere, we shall need no
more troops from the North. because we
shall soon have negroes enough in arms
to garrison and hold all the strategic
points on the Mississippi, and the three
years men and the navy can finish upI
the work elsewhere. But if more men
are wanted they will be forthcoming.
The CONSUMPTION law is the most equal
and acceptable law ever enacted, and it
will be enforced without difficulty. We
have the means and the determination to
compel success, and we shall succeed.
We wait with confidence the signal of
decisive victory. If we are bafIled and
disappointed now, it will be because of
some concealed design of Providence
which requires longer Christening and
deeper humiliation to prepare US for our
future destiny.
The soothsayers have predicted peace
on the 23d of April. The prophetic
spring in Virginia indicates the close of
the war before June. We have small
faith in modern prophecy, but we shall
be disappointed if the rebellion does not
receive finishing blow before the next
anniversary ofour national independence.
1t may require months, prehaps years,
and considerable army in the field, to
pacify the disturbed districts, but we do
not believe the rebellion is to exist with
the forms of a government, or in such
formidable shape as to be considered a
belligerent power, for many months lon
ger. Already our business men are
forecasting the prospects of trade after