The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-26
Facts versus Fancy.
'he LoulsYlllo JournaL Save:

on the verge oil revolt. Ihey resist TIE
CONSUMPTION by force Of arms, utterly re-
fusing 70 enter the rebel service and de-
flying the rebel authorities. And we hear
OF important disaffections in Mississippi,
Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. From
these things we may readily form a ra-
tional conjecture as TO what would have
been, long ere now, the condition Of the
Southern Republic, so-called, il the Fed
eral authorities at Washington had pur-
sued wise, Just, aud conservative course
towards the South in the whole war. We
have not doubt, that, but for the intro
duction Of the fierce, yindictive, destruc-
tive spirit of Abolitionism into the nation
al councils, threatening the confiscation of
Southern property aud the universal de-
struction Of Southern institutions, and !
thus enabling the Southern leaders TO in
flame the great mass Of the Southern people
TO the highest pitch Of frenzy, the strong
Union feeling, which existed throughout
the South at the beginning Of the war
and for many months afterwards, would,
with the aid of the Federal arms, have
restored the rebel ConfedeFaey lonSRgo
to its allegiance.
Probably the Administration at Wash
ington. which, il not fanaticaAis under
! fanatical influences little dreams what
vast injury it has done by departing from
its original policy.
We notice substantially the same views
in other conservative newspapers. Some
times il is amusing; at time like the
present it is sad, TO see how obstinatcly
men prefer their preoonceived opinions
to the contradictory testimony of indis-
putable and memorable facts. The war
was for many long and dreary months
conducted according to the rules OF
conservatism and the tactics of Nc
CLELLAN. We suffered disaster after
disaster, repulse after repulse. The
Army of the Potomac did well if 1t
kept "auiet" In the Southwest, Alabama
and ali Middle Tennessee, save Nashville,
were surrendered to the rebels, If the
files of certain conservative organs, pnb-
lished about those times, be searched,
we venture TO say that not little dissat-
isfaction will be found recorded against
certain distinguished Generals. Since
the passage of that radical measure the
Conflscation Act, which Of itself en-
braced virtual every thing embodied
in the Emancipation Proclamation, we
have gained great victories over the
rebels at Iuka, at Corinth, and at Stones
River.
We have regained the best portion OF
Middle Tennessee.
We have made brilliant and highly
successful expedition into East Tennes-
r see.
We have gained glorious victory al
Arkansas Post and, in addition to all
, this, we hear of important developments
of unconditional Union sentiments in
the very centre Of the rebellion. The
people, says rebel organ, defy the Con-
federate authorities, and are trying tC
shake of, their yoke. In addition t.
this decided increase of Union strength il
, the South we have abundant evidence thai
we have at last aroused the English mas
SEES in our behalf Compare tl0lve month
of conservatism Nth h0eIUe months Of rad
icahs,n and see hoiO The case stands an faro
of the latter How does the Journal know
that the manifestation Of Union senti'
ment in Mississippi, Arkansas, and 9th
, err Southern States would have beef
greater, if the radical policy had not beer
adopted? Is there not far better reason
o for supposing that if the old weak, in
efficient and compromising policy ha'
been followed, we would have discour
aged our friends in the South, and mad
' them despair? Certainly the prope
' way for the Administration to encouragr
the loyal men of the South is to SHOW
. that il. is "tsrribly in earnest" and i
. readyto use all means necessary to crusl
, out the rebellion. The only exhibition
ola disposition TO revolt from rebel rule
Il vet seen in the South has been mad
since the passage Of the Co!fsoatiOn act
we stop 10 adopt our mode of wagin
war TO suit the tastes Of traitors, we nee
not expect the loyal men of the South t
respond to our feeble efforts TO suppress
treason.