Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-21

Union. This was in the winter of lssl-2, be- |
fore the war had assumed its subsequent features
of ferocity. But this time exists NJ longer. The
Southern people are now united as one man.
They believe that the sole object of the war, on
the part of the North, is the conquest and subju-
cation of the South, the confscafion of all their
property and the reduction of their States to the
condition of conquered territories. They be-
ieve that under no circumstances would they be
received into the Union on an equal footing with
the other States; and that the only way for them
to preserve their rights, their liberty and their
property, is 10 fight for Independence.
There is one contingency in which we may ex-
pect to see the Union restored, and only one, If
the people rise in their might, next fall, the
Republican party will be hurled from power, and
q Democratic President will be eelected-probably
General Mcclellan. In that case the rebellion
might cease even before the rebel armies are de-
stroyed, and the restoration of the Union might
be possible .glr
There has been no change in the military situ-
!. alton on the Rappahannock since my last letter.
Our army stiH holds the line of that river, al
though the recent retreat was, practically, to
Washington But, on the 5th inst- the army
threw heavy force across the Rapidan, and it
was supposed, at first, that the whole of Lees
army was about 10 undertake campaign against
this city. Great excitement prevailed in General
Meade's army; the tents were ell hastily struck;
the baggage trains were all sent to the rear; and
combustibles were collected and placed in the
railroad depot, and in and under several hundred
cars, loaded with provisions, which could not be
removed, and which, it was feared, might fall in
to the hands of the advancing enemy. The OBJ
ject of the enemy at that time, however, was
merely to re-establish three of their signal sta
tions, on three high peaks of the mountains near
Culpepper, which overlook an immense extent
of country. In this they were successful and
their signal fires can be seen burning on those
three peaks every night. It is a grand sight
From these three peaks they see far beyond
the Rappahannock. Our camps are spread outbe-
fore them ike a map, they can see, and do see,
all the movements of Gen. Meade. 1t was alb
surd, at any rate, TO keep the army so far from
Washington as TO the line of the Rappahannock.
But, now that every movement of Gen. Meade is
instantly telegraphed to Gen. Lee, the army will
probably be withdrawn to Wanenton, Manassas
Junction, or even to Centreville, before it goes
into winter quarters.
Winter quartersl 1t is humiliating thought,
how much might be accomplished by this gal
liant army of veterans between now and spring,
if they were placed under a competent General,
and that General given carte blanche for cam
paign against Richmond. With the assistance
of the troops already in Gen. Buffers depart
ment, it would be easy to organize a campaign
cess. We have complete possession of the James
river. The Army Of the Potomac might be en-
barked on board of transports at Alexandria
and landed at a point above City Point on the
south side of the James river where they
would be only twenty miles from Richmond.
At the same time the troops under Gen. Butler
could advance from Norfolk and Suffolk against
Weldon, and destroy the railroad leading from
Weldon to Richmond. Such an expedition,
properly organized, and led by competent Gen.
eral, could not fail of success. But the public
need not anticipate anything of this kind The
same malign influence that removed General
McClellanj from the army, and that keeps the
incapable Halleek in his place, will see to it
that the Army of the Potomac is kept for foot
ball.
The fact that the President is suffering from a
severe attack of smallpox, that his condition is
critical, and that it must be some days before he
can even leave his chamber, will probably pre-
vent the nation from suffering the disgrace of
seeing our Chief Magistrate in a role which might
be pardonable in the Mayor of a little town, but
which would scarcely comport with the dignity
of the President of the United States. The
Russian feet is here, and it is understood that
Sumner, Wilson, Lovejoy, Trumbull, Greeley,
and others of that ik, had devised series of
entertainments, which were TO take place on
board of the Admiral's vessel and at the White
f1Ouse, ana at WHICH the great rails plltter Was
to be principal performer. The object of these
fetes was to have the Tyrant of America concili-
ate and fraternize with the Tyrant of Russia
And, if the violence of Mr.. Lincoln's disease sub
sides sufficiently, that part of the programme
which was to take place at the White House may
still be carried out. Perhaps it is as well to be
SO; for it may serve to open the eyes of the
American people to the real character of the man
j who has usurped powers over them greater than
cept the Emperor of Russia. And Abraham is
fast following in the footsteps of Alexander.
You will remember that when Mr. Cameron was
sent to Europe, stated that it was done in order
TO bring about an alliance with Russia, in order
to enable Mr.. Lincoln to conquer and sublugate
the South. And it looks very much as if this
was now to be brought soout Y.