Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-01-21
Rebel and Loyal Strength.
The following figures are derived fro

containing important statistics of the
eighth census. They represent the mum.
Der of men between the ages of Is and
As In the different states In 1860, and the
same figures answer for the present
time, II we estimate, as Mr. Kennedy
does, that the acknowledgements in popu-
lation since 1850 cOmpensatcS generally
for losses by the war. We lind the table
divided in the Springfield Republican
into three sections, the loyal, the rebel,
and the half and half and we adopt
its classification This gives in the 10y
al states, viz; California, Connecticut
Delaware, Illinois, Indiana Iowa, Kan
sas, Maine, Massachusetts,, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and
including the District of Columbia and
territories, a total lighting population
between the ages above mentioned, of
4,043,5l7; in the rebel states to wit
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, and Texas, total fighting popula-
ton of 643,022, and in the halfand-
half" states of Arkansas Kentucky, Ma
ryland Missouri, Tennessee, and Virgin
ia, a total of 937 $50 Conceding one
half of this last total as now adhering
to the rebellion or fighting in its service,
and adding the other half to the loyal
states, and ii gives rebel aggregate of
LII, $50 against loyal strength of A.
5l2, 145, or about to 4.
But this does not by any means fur
nish fair or complete comparison of the
present relative strength of the rebels to
the power of the government. In the first
place the losses of the rebels in military
service constitute much larger per
centage of their total fighting popula-
ton than do the losses at the North
Of the northern population, the total
population in the first case being so
much smaller than in the second
While, therefore, the natural increase of
the population at the North fully COW
ers northern losses, the a6le-bodied fight
ing men of the South are pretty much
exhausted, and those now forced into the
rebel ranks are to great extent former
exempts. Again, every southern negro
who has entered the Union service
counts twice; he is both subtract
ed from the rebel side and added to
the Union; while those remaining un-
der rebel control should hardly be in
cluded in the fighting strength of the
rebels as they dare not arm them. Of
the states above classified as "halfand-
hall" all but three are now in the Union;
two of these three, Arkansas and Tonnes
see, soon will be, and of the remaining
one, virginia, we have West Virginia,
and slice Off the north and east. Con-
cediig to the rebels one-half of the az
gregate fighting strength of these states,
Is giving them a proportion too great |
now and rapidly growing "more So"
Making allowance also for the numerous
assertions from the rebel ranks which |
have already occurred and are becoming
more frequent every day, and for the in
creasing accessions to the Union ranks
in states classed as rebel, such as North |
Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, &c, and it
will be seen that the relative strength
of the loyal and rebel sections as above
given, must be increased largely in faver
of the former. So much for the fighting
population.
To obtain a full view of the 'situa-
ton" however, numerous other matters
claim consideration; such as the south
ern restitution, and the diminution by
war of the producing class itself; the
utter bankruptcy of the re6el govern
ment;" the blockade cutting Off relief;
the want of navy against the vast and
increasing one of the north; the grow
ing dissatisfaction of the southern peo-
pie with the rebel chiefs; the capture of |
their strongholds, &C., &c. Humanity |
speaking there cannot be shadow of |
doubt as to the result of the great strug-
gle; and if it cost great sacrifice of life |
and treasure to save the Union, vet how
much greater would be the cost of los |
ing it.