Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-08
rhs Ralt Of nssolation.


nav nv day the track of the destroyer becomes
broader. TNo-tbrds of Virgins, twOt irds Of TeDues
zee the coasts of North and South (aroina, part Of
Georgia, nearly all Of Florida, Northern MisSi sipp,
Western and Southern Louisiana, a great part Of Ar
kansas and Missouri have already been laid waste and
every hour brings tdngs OF fresh destruction. Tele
grams of Saturday informed that the enemy bad de-
stroyed million dollars worth Of property on the Com
bahee and stolen thousand negroes was but lev
days ago that they ravsged the county OF Mathews IN
this State and even while write tidngs come to US
that ey are burning private houses aud destroying
every grain of corn they lay hands on in the eouu
ty of King and Queen.
Enopgb has been said of the barbarism of this mode
If warfare and TOO much has to be confessed OF the en-
ire immunity with which It is-oarrled Our outcries
and our admissions OF the weakness the imbecity
Of our forces in the fe but add to the hesh JOY of the
foe without stimulating troops, Government or people
to the pitch Of rerbutve vengeance. The belt of des
OatOu widens hourly, there much prospect Of
abatement of the evil. Citizens complain of the Gov
srnme t which in turn complains of the citizens
Meantime common inquiry is made to the exis ence
and present whereabouts of the organized forces of the
Confejeracy.
We may be sure this state OF things will continue 80
long as the war is wsged exclusively Confederate
sol. Every day tue enemy remains in our territory
will add to the width of the belt Of desoatiOn, and
they who now fancy themselves out Of danger will
discover their mistake If thousand Yankee cavalry
can ride entirely through the State OF Mississippi with
out moestation, what is to hinder like number IRON
going thrOagh Virginia, North and south Carolina to
D.. pr,.fs Cs-k,;alv tnarmed and urorgansed ,iti
gems will not hinder thea.
The belt OF desOlation serves many purposes of the
Yankee nation. It opens way to free labor and North
err settlers it diminishes production and concentrates
Southern population within limits inadequate to their
support; il prepares place for Yankee emigration if
peace on The basis of separation is declared But this is
not all Il answers the purposes OF well So
peace by nterposng country destitute OF fuppes be-
tween our own and the Yankee border. Thus it is q
safeguard against INVASION If Lee would advance, be
must move through desert dragging immense trains of
food behind him. The ca'e is same with Bragg, with
Johnston, with Price. Indeed we hear that Price will
on this account find it difficult if not impossible to
ter Missouri la front all large armies lies waste,
where here is food for neither beast. GiTded
by belt of desoatiou the North is safe from nvaso,
the broader the belt the greater its security As tho
months and the years roll on, the South, unless
something be done, will become, in the language If
Scrip ure "the abomhation of desolaton" We belle,
that something will be done-the necessity of the cas-
demands il imperatvel-; would that could be sure
that it will be done speedily This cap can be returned
TO the lips of the North drugged with fold bitterness.
Mercy to ourselves demands this sct of retrbutve jus.
tice 10 them.