Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-06
The Situation.

The situation.
The strategy of the Administration is incon-
prehensible If the speedy overthrow of the rebel
lion, and thus the termination of the war, is its
object. Upon the ocean few privateers are do
ing immense damage 10 our commerce. The
blockade. which is kept up at an immense cost.
does not prevent large trade between the Rebel
States and neutral nations Through this source
the Rebels got large supplies of articles necessary
for them. And the situation of our armies in the
field, with the exception of Grants at Vicksburg,
is not, apparently, as favorable as it was year
ago Since the withdrawal of MCCLELLAN from
the Peninsula, three unsuccessful attempts have
been made TO advance upon Richmond BANKS
has thus far failed 10 reduce Port Hudson, and
he has been repulsed several times with great
loss. Since the battle of Stone river RosEcRASs
has been inactive, unless in the construction of
immense forti6cations at Murfreesboro, as though
they we're intended for permanent occupancy.
The attack upon Charleston, the preparations for
which were upon grand scale. proved failure,
and nothing since has been done in that depart
ment but few raids upon deenseless inhabit
ants and the destruction Of their property. Eos
TER, voluntarily, has removed his troops from
North Carolina. thus giving up the territory We
occupied there to the Rebels again if they desire
il, or 10 permit them to transfer their troops to
Richmond for its defense, reinforce some 9TH
er division of tue Southern army. Ia the ex-
treme South. the season is rapidly approaching
when the climate will enervate and disease Grip
pie our armies there. if these causes do not end
military movements until cold weather. Instead
of our forces advancing upon Richmond, or even
keeping LEES army employed aud holding it IN
check, portion of his forces are in Pennsyva-
MIA obtaining the supplies he needs. and if we may
place confidence in the teegraphic reports from
day to day, the main body is not only advancing
upon our national capital but fears are expressed
for its safety by those high in authority.
Chambersburg, Carlisle, Harrisburg, and
even Philadelphia are threatened. but in
fact the authorities in Washington and the
commander of the immense Army of the Poto-
mac cannot fathom the Rebel designs, OF even
ascertain the disposition of the enemy's forces.
Such is the condition Of affairs after immense
armies have been in the field for over two years,
enough to have crushed out the Rebel forces, if
they had been properly directed. AS Senator
TRUMBULL remarked, after the close of the late
session Of Congress. in public Speech the whole
resources of the Government had been placed by
Congress at the disposal OF the party in power.
and il il failed to subdue the rebellion the coun
try would hold il responsible. Such is just
view of the case, and we say il not partisan
or in a querulous spirit. that the party in power
has demonstrated their incapacity to carry the
country through the crisis which its policy
brought upon it
Look at the condition Of Pennsylvania. The
Government cannot furnish the troops necessary
to repe the invading foe from the soil that State
and the Administration turns it over to the care
of its Governor aud to such defense as raw troops
can furnish against forces thoroughly disciplined
and hardened By two years service. And the Gov
ernors of New York and New Jersey, whom the
Republicans have derided as Copperheads and
enemies OF the Government, come to the rescue
with the resources of their States, exhibiting
more earnestneSs. energy, zeal and ability than
those whose duty t is to administer the military
affairs of the nation. In Indiana the Democracy
are charged with being sympathizers with the re-
belion. A Rebel raid was made in the State
The raiders found no sympathy where, according
to Republican accounts. they expected to find
friends, and the men who had been denounced a:
Secessionists were the first to turn out TO drive
invaders from our soil.
A different policy must prevail if the rebellion
is crushed out. The true strategy is. to over
throw and scatter the Rebel armies. The with
drawal Of McCLELLAs. or the Army of the PO
tomac, from the Peninsula the grand mis-
take of the war After the repuIse ther,
il should have been reinforced with ever
available man. Ifthst had been done. instead o
the army having been taken back to Washington
and new routes selected to advance upon th'
Rebel capital, to day our flag would have Aoate'
over it in triumph. and Virginia would have beer
cleared of the Rebel armies.
The movements OF the next few weeks ma,
put more favorable phase upon affairs, but th
strategy Of the past does not give the countr.
much reason or hope TO believe that such will b
the case. Either the movements of LEE are
big scare for successful forsging expedition TO
supplies IN the border States, and judging from
accounts il has been very successful. or else b
has force sufficient TO give him confidence. will
such Generals as HookER cope with, that b
can successfully move upon Washington Tn
destruction Of portions Of the Northern Centra
railroad in Pennsylvania. and the Baltimore an'
Ohio railroad, thus cutting oif the supplies from
those sources. have the appearance of an sttacl