Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-04
- nIlIltarr eItualIon.


The Nation and the world are rapidly
moving forward toward that point Of time,
when are to be enacted the greatest battles
Of the century.
As The impending hour approaches, The
Nation becomes more solemn in its reAec-
lions, mora anxious inits hopes and fears
Mothers, sisters, wives snd maidens begin
to examine With quiokened interest the
messages that assh from our great armies.
Tradesmen stop to mediate. Gamblers in
gold pause. The people watch and pray,
and all mankind speculate upon the i'm
pending struggles.
This renewed interest anxiety and
prsyerfulness, result from the conviction
in all minds and hearts that great cOuse-
quencesa sre Involved in the impending
battles. A loss to- the rebellion, will be
great loss, possibly 8 loss from which there
is no recovery. A victory to the cause Of
Liberty and Union, will be attended with
the most splendid results. As rebellion
with all the traitorous crew shall reel
staggering under the terrific blows Of our
Union hosts, every department Of the ns
tioDal life viii be quickened into renewed
energy. Finance, trade, the Government,
all will be invigorated.
But on the other hand, the people should
not think that the loss Of battle for the
Union, is the loss Of our cause. There
have been frequent occasions in the pro
gresg- tLo-rar. when the people, indulg-
ing in the naturally extrsyagant Language
which great events impending always in
spire have staked the fortunes Of the Re
public on the issue Of a great battle. But
after defest with an elasticity Of spirit
and a discrimination Of purpose strange to
themselves, they have rebounded to the
great work and pushed forward.
The spirit and courage which have al
vsvs survived defeat and which now ami
mate the besrts Of our people is one Of the
hest assurances Of success and though
Sherman ana Grant both are defeated, the
patriotism Of the people in their great
cause, their Yankee grit snd indOmitstle
pluck, will lesp to the lofty altitude Of a
heroism and persistency Of which we nov
scarcely dream. While therefore we 81
tsch 80 much Significance to the great inn
pending battles, let us not Ovsr-paint the
picture.
The csntsrs against which the temPests
AZ northern valor and loyalty are soon to
rare. slIuudersiand to be the armies Of
lee and Johnston. At the head Of the
Army Of the PotOmsc is the first General
Of the sge, one who hitherto has known
nothipe but victory. His soldiers, disPir-
tied BY rsverses heretofore, and possibly
saected With belief in fstalism, have al
resdy learned to believe in General Grant
That his army is immense the people need
have no fear; that the rebel army under
Lee has been reinforced by the poorest ma
terial in the South, there can be no doubts
that the magnificent army Of Sherman
viii march to triumphant victory we be-
lieve. But yet, should reTerses come, let
us not give way to silly vspOring, to ignO-
bic detection, to inhdelity to great cause.
Lst the rhetoric Of passion be thrown to
the winds let nought but common sense,
the heroic spirit Of mighty people, and
immortal confidence in the Republic, pre-
vail. and in the end the victory win be
ours. II the men in front fail, let the
people sp nasse be armed.