Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-24
PAPERS ON THE WAR. no. II.
BY AN OH onNrtEMAx.

TIE Compdrative Strength Of the Contending
Parties.
AT the commencement Of the war il wonld
seem, at first sight, that from the superior re-
sources Of the Northern States in wealth and
population, the Federal Government had
great advantages over the seeding States,
and that the rebellion would be soon sup
pressed, and such was generally the hope and
( expectation at the North. But upon a more
careful examination Of the comparative
strength of the two sections, they would ap-
pear TO be nearly equal, and long aud des-
perate conflict might have been anticipated.
At the North the rebellion was unexpected.
and Of course the people we're not prepared
for il. At the South it had been plotted and
planned for years, and every preparation had
been made beforehand which it was in the
power Of men Of influence and the State gov
ernments to effect. At the North almost
every vestige Of militia or military system
bad disappeared in the long period of tram
guilty and security, with which that section
of the country had been blessed. At the
South respectable militia system had been
kept up, to be prepared for any insurrection
Of the slaves, and great numbers Of their
young men had been carefully trained in mili-
tary schools. At the North every man trust
ed TO the law for the protection OF his life and
property, and had no idea of any tumuIt oc-
curing but what the common police force
would be able TO suppress. At the South.
from the frequency Of deadly personal con-
fl cts, and the constant fear Of a servlle insur-
rection, much larger portion Of the people
we're armed and accustomed 90 the use Of
arms. The strange imbecility Of President
Buchanan and the treachery Of some members
of his Cabinet had in fact disarmed the Cow
orument, and armed the South. The FEEDER
al armies we're posted in remote stations at
the far West. The national ships were dis
perscd on every sea, but. none ht for service
were on our own coast. Northern arsenals
were cmptied of their stores, which we're de-
posted at the South without guard. Strong
forts, erected by the Federal Government, at
the cost of millions, in southern harbors,
were left without any garrison, ready TO be
seized by any mob that chose TO occupy them,
and raise the secession flag. The minds of
the Southern people had been wrought up by
their politicians 20 pitch o! earnestness and
desperation which we can hardly conceive.
Tho slave owners had been told that their ave
property, which they estimated at billions Of
dollars, was put in jeapody by the election Of
Mr.. Lincoln, and the poor whites were taught
20 believe that this election was to reduce
them to little lower grade-to a level with
the negro. The merchant was allured by the
chance Of repudiating the debts he owed at
the North, and entced by visions Of free
trade, which was to transfer the commerce Of
New York to Charleston and New Orleans.
The pride Of the Southern people, naturally
ambitious and glorious, was fattered with
the idea that by secession they could estab-
iish great slaveholding empire, and soon
bring under their sway Mexico, the West
Indies and South America that they were 90
monopolize all the productions OF the Irop-
les that cotton was to be a king, yet held
as d vassal under their control, and the whole
world to be overawed by their commercial
and political power.
The peculiar organization OF society at the
south was extremely favorable TO the speedy
raising and sciphnJnaof an army. AT the
south. there were thousands out OF regular
employment. who claimed to be-. and were
recognized as gentlemen, who had few pre-
tensions to support that character except
that they had never performed days work
of useful labor in their lives. These men
hailed with delight the prospect Of a war, as
furnishing them with commissions and
means of support in gentee idleness. The
poor whites at the South, accustomed to life
of idleness and priyation, afforded very good
materials for private soldiers. These were
ready 10 enlist, for they had no profitable em-
ployment to leave, and little property at home
90 be cared for when they entered the army.
At the North it was different Almost
every man had his occupation in which he
supposed he was settled for life, and had hus-
ness or property which must seriously suffer
by his absence in the army. At the South
there was class who were accustomed to
command, ami another who we're accustomed
to obey, and they naturally fell into the con-
diton Of officers and privates in the army
whilst at the North few we're accustomed to
command and none to obey, and such men it
is a work of time and difficulty to organize
and train into a we'll disciplined army.
Taking all these circumstances into consid-
Grafton, we might conclude that the forces
which the seeding States could command for
the 6r.t campaign were quite equal, II not
superior to anything which the Federal Gov
ernment could oppose against them.
NO. III.
Progress of the War, and Advaaiages Gained.
The war has now ragged for almost two
years, with varying fortunes. We have met
with many reyerses; but we hav9 gained
many important victories Let us consider
what we have done, and what we have power
to do.
After the fall Of Fort Sumter it seemed as
though the mania Of secession would spread
through the fifteen slayeholdng states, and
that they would all secede from the Union,
and that even the national capital would be
enclosed IN rebel territory and sezod by rebel
hordes. The timely arrival Of northern sol
dicrs saved Washington and with the aid of
loyal citizens soon secured Baltimore and st.
Louis, the two largest cities cf the south
The State of Maryland soon made a doubtful
profession of allegiance to the Union, and
subsequent events have probably satisfied the
people of that State, that on their loyalty de-
pends their ouly hope Of safety. Missouri,
being repeatedly rayaged by successive in
road Of rebel armies from abroad, and by dis
orders within the state, seems now to be de-
cidedly for the Union, and is now debating
the question how slavery shall be banished
from the state. Kentucky, after being dis
tracted by fierce political contests, aud after
hoviptr had thouaand NJ har citiyena lpcovod