Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-15
THE Length of the War.

Lncon's Secretary Of the Treasury, Chase. who has
been making tour Northward Of late, with view, as
is believed, of securing the Presidential uccesson to
himself made speech in Boston in which he IS reported
to have said ~ really think do not risk much in
saving that this war now approaches its termination -
To this the New York Herald of the 5tb, replies
This Is tie came music We have heard for the last two
yearsthe identical tune played by the Secretary Of the
heasury in Wax street at the commencement OF the
war Aud YET according 10 all human appearances, the
end OF the more distant now than the most de-
spending believed it to be at the time Of the first great
uprising of the North in 1861. Ia guth, the conflict
seems OILY 70 10 beginning instead Of drawing near TO
termination. Il is than possible that the radi-
cas- contemplate early peace by division OF the re-
public the line separating tue slave from the ee
states But this IS not the policy Of the President, and
ere are Others besides the radicals who have got some
Eiug 20 say On the subject The conservatives OF Ire
loyal States viz not permit any such arrangement and,
IL the var be no. brought 70 clOseas u is probable 1t
Bi not best the esd Of Mr. Lnculns term, the great
IA " Who via aiu the succession n the election OF 1854
will take Up the quarrel and prosecute il with vigor
compared with NAcl the campaigns Of thu last Two years
viii appear az cbiiCs play.
The Herald add. that al revolutionary Wars-wars
embracing 1ges Of constitution or great social chan
ses-have been Of long Duration In proof Of this, it
refers TO The civil Of Rome, France, England AMI
pain, vsi-h eyed from score of years to whole
century The illustrations Of the Herals DO not apply,
since this is lot revolutionary war, war so far
as we are concerned, embracing change Of consu.u
ton Of social org ,nztOn. Il is in nearly all its as
pects aad incidents simply between two races Of
different interests ideas and feelings 1t is not reyolu-
tola-y, for t embraces no design to overthrow tue
GoyeroHep; Of tae United States That Government,
are PERFECTLY wiling may remain What it is, be-
come what p.e.5es: Nor was the war brought by
desire 10 chitge the constitution since voluntarily
adopted substantially the constitution Of the country
from which We cut loose Sill less does it involve
change IA social system. That with its institutions
and elements remains rs it was, and will remain
Bot mi,tkel as Is the view of the Herald it is not SC
Ear from the tJu,h as the opinion which it Is com
meutug-that ibis war approaches IL termination" by
the success Of The Yankees is Of course Implied ii
the dcrunsf Chase We have no idea that it will be
az long as -c civil watts referred to by the Herald and
We. It viii oumeasure the longest of them sooner thar
end as Chase would have his hearers believe.
For our own part We prefer MOTTO prophecy as to the
duration of the war. We'appreciate The reasons thai
ought TO bring it close recognize the influence
ol agencesald the tendency of events in that direction
but al the same time We see so much s Of the spirit
Of war and such vast Of continuing the combat
On both sides that do think safe encourage
the hope of q speedy termination of hostites. The
causes Of war, such as they were in the outset
remain IN full force the original luminosity be-
tween the two races so far from abating
has deepened aud daIkened into intense vndictive
ness and thirst for revenge; the military resources
the two countries do not approach exhaustion. What
then but some Pro7idengI Intervention can in any
brief time put period to hosiides Il is wises and
safest for expect the to continue for long
time yet and TO make arrangements and preparation:
accordingly /, Is reasonable to conclude that the
my will continue TO make war, long as they can
aud certainly tbs. would be short period. We need
not add that a. long they make war, we win make
resistance.
There contingencies by means impossible, nor
as We think, improbable that may arrest this natural
progress OF eyent7 and give new phase and an unex
pected issue to the war They have been often spoken
Of, perhaps too much dwe On, and We need only ad
them. The FIST is such outbreak as may lead
to reyOu,ion smoDg themselves. In that event, the
views Of the Hraid would apply. Then there would
in fact be such social and political changes as would
furnish food io- an almost nterminable war The sec.
ond is Intervention by or collision With England or
France or both OF this, IheSe seems st present a
greater likelihood than OF the former For whatever
may be the desire and purpose Of the British Ministry
however strenuouy they may resolve against interview.
ton, would be Strange IL the constantly occurring aud
nesabe causes Of irritation and hostility did not finally
Involve them in war Either of these events, formi.
dabe revolution among themselves or collision With
England or France, would give US an Opportunity to
transfer shs TO the enemys country, and then and
there tske that vengeance Of them without which it
WOad be pity for the war to close at any time
LOudoun.