Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-18
Wbat is the North Contending For !

What is the North Contending For!
The phase which the war has recently assumed, the
point chosen by the North for the concentration Of is
chi fsrergth, and the zeal which it manfcsts under
many local disadvantages Of climate, scarcity Of water
and tho imminent risk Of the capture annhillon Of
Grants army, furnish good data upon which to base
an opinion as to the object sought to be accomplished
Subiuaaton is now an obsolete idea. Emancipation
was at best but ehimera, since its accomplishment
could only result from conquest. TIE question Of
boundary ia nov the all absorbing consideration, the
very pith aud essence Of Mort cupidity and amb
ion. The plea Of Hat,ral boundary if backed by the
sembance of possession beyond these prescribed HGtra
limits. will furnish to ianatesl people Like the Yankees
maddened by chlgrn and revenge, and at all times
ambitious Of territorial expansion, an argument suih
GENTLY forebe at least to embarrasS fual negotiations
The northern boundary Of this Conederacy they regard
as finally determined by the possession Of ell the terri
tory north Of the Potomac. The Southern boundary
they are nov seeking define by segregatng the Trans
Mississippi country from the rest Of the Coniederacy-
The Yankees imagine, no Doubt, at the nominal con-
troll of the Mississippi such as they would acquire BY
the capture Of Ycksbug, ard the peculiar adaptation
Of that river as great national boundary, would out
weigh all mere technical considerations growing out Of
possession Of the territory living beyond. But then
they could hardly hope for allotment Of that terri
tory 10 theIn for would hardly be consistent with any
principle Of economy or justice in the definition of ter
rtorial lines to give 20 the North trac. Of territory
located at the extreme limit Of the CCnledeaey aud
separated by nearly athousand miles of country, having
nothing in common With the North, but all things homo
a.. -sfcrvy IN, q;
The idea Of such a claim seems absurd bu. nothing
L too absurd for Yankee conscience too sacred for
Yankee cupjity. Absurd however as this claim would
seem 70 be- there is but little doubt that the supendous
effort nov being made for tbs reduction Of Yeksburg
finds lis incentive in this hope of isntegrating The
Southern Coniederacy It Is hard to realize that any
adjustment based upon justice aud the important prlu
cipes Of identity OF institutions feelings and sent
nepts as well as territorial relations could decree the
alienation f,Om US Of the the territory our Southern
frontier II an effort to accomplish this shall be made
.nd there ia reason to apprehend that will be-ar
v1ments and aaaoge s will, no doubt be furnished to
io6niy TO justify this INFAMOUS measure. The case Of
England and the Caladas, England and Australia Erg-
land and the East Indies and numerous other examples
Of violent territorial esangdent viii pointed to- in
Fpgar viii c9mplacently submit to the o6ium Of being
cited as distinguished example in the unenyabs work
of national dsutegaon, provided, she can in any de-
gree promote the cause which She in common with her
Northern ally, holds 50 dear-that Of securing TO
enemy of the French Emperor the possession of the
territory On the Northern frontier of Mexico.
While England and the North are actuated by differ
emit motives ia this connection the prospect of result
mutually benefcis, makes them mutually subservient
The former s Jealous OF the territorial expansion Of its
dear ally France the latter is jealous Of the South for
the same cause To render Mexico untenabe by France
Il Is only necessary place uniTiendiy power Of
moderate strength in jOzta-pOstOn with her. This
would involve ifseeetua cFeumscripton OF the lin
its of the Southern Confederacy, and thus would mutual
benefits accrue to both from the pursuit Of different
ends England may not actually desire to inact this
i,ius.iee upon the South but if her efforts to thwar
the ambition Of her great rival for territorial aggrandze
ent should involve serious consequences to the South
her se6shness viii readily supply the balm for her di,
turbed conscience. The fact is she hates the South
less, but she sates France more.
independent of the mutual advantage to be gained
By England and the North in their respective spheres
Of diplomacy and intrigue, the North doubtless
In the widely extended territory the other side Of
the Mississippi and the he erogenous eleHents which
compose its population, excellent field for the dis
semiuation OF its vikinous Abolition doctrines. Al
ready large contingent Of German Abolition infdels
hold sway in Western Texas and they calculate, no
doubt, that vigorous application Of TIE squa'ter SOW
eregn.y principle will convert that fairy land into
Southern Massachusetts,. This MAJ BE- a groundless
sueculation but We cannot shut ejes to the fact
thas the hope of disintegratng the South by making
the Mississippi the Southern boundary Of the Coniede
racy is entertained at the North, we find by an ar
tcle in late number Of the New York Tribune, and
the gigantic efforts now being made by the Yankee
army near Vicksburg. Nothing could better please
Eaeand than the accomplishment of this object; and if
70 withhold re. ignition viii promote it it will be indie
hnilely postponed.
Il behOoyes our authorities, in Of these crcum
stances 10 with all proper vigilance and to zee that
no undue advantage will be gained BY enemy either
in the Geld Of battle Of diplomacy. We will have to
deal with two willy AID serupulOus enemies, who stop
At nothing and who regard principle in their unhOy
zeal for gain and the eradication Of revenge.
General EWell.