The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-13
HISTORIC LESSONS.

kfom the Tribune,
just half century ago, hostile fleet appeared
In Chesapeake Bay, and landed on the Patu kent
q couple of brgad,s, which made a vigorous
push on the Federal metropolis. They were
confronted at Bhdensburg by a hastily collected
Union force, mainly composed Of Maryland
militia, which ought 10 have arrested their pro-
press, but served rather TO accelerate IL. The
British speedily chased the shattered remains
into Washington, which they soon left behind IN
Wild mad race for life. The British pursued
no further, but, burning the public edidcos aud
stores with the establishment Of the Govern.
mtnt prihters, returned ~ their ships as hur-
riedy a. they came. They next made an at
tempt on Baltimore, bat were repulsed and thcir
commandtr slain. They then took themselves
on End made 40 further serious demonstration
in that quarter.
We had then been more than two years at
war, with Chcckerrd fortunes, but, on tho
whole, with Indifferent success. We had COM
mebcod tue struggle utterly unprepared, and
under indifferent military leaders. The Gov.
erumcht H. was genera " felt, had not eginced
decided yisor and energy in the prosecution OF
the struggle. Tue public expectation had not
been tulhiltd by its progress. The people mad,
IN large measure, become dislcartsned and
Inert powerful aud active party ClamDred
loudly FOR peace-peace Uu any terms. sepa-
ration OF certain d.salected States from the Union
was Loudly demanded. Tue county seemed on
the brink of dissolution or ruiu. It's credit was
at a low ebh, and les currency rapidly depre-
ciatiug. Government obligations, drawing twelve
per ceut. interest, were sold at heavy discount,
though paid for in tn depreciatrd paper of n5og-
vent bHnks. On every side, discomfort, disc1u-
ragement, aud apathy were manifested, and the
hDbl catastrophe seemed imminent
The raid ON Washington changed all this as IL
by magic. The Opposition increasingly de-
nuunced the incOmpeleucy, imbecilIty, AMI i'm
potence Of the Administration, ctimOrng loudly
for peace, and the people did not respond.
They may have blamed or piled their rnlsrs,
but they rallied for the salvation of their Gov
ernmt mt. Forthwith unwOuted triumph beg IN
to gild Their banners. A Formidable British
expedition, under Sir George Provost, was
arrested at PlHtsbuTg, the co operating fleet
destroyed, and the land force hurled Dack into
Canada defeated and shattered. Blow after
blow, well aimed, went home to the yitals OF tho
enemy, until ut New Orleans, a few months
afterwards, the contest WAS closed by fearful
and sangriUary Bri ish defeat, aud peace once
more Gladdeued our eXuifiug cluntrymeu. And
national spirit, and thus iusure those great sue
cesses, rs thnt very raid on Va hiagOn ~dich
was fondly expect 20 hasten and confirm our
national OversDrOw.
For years we bavc been hoping that the Rebels
would assall Washington City. Their Secretary
Of War threatened its capture dirvcly after the
reduction Of Fort Sunter. They might easily
have I, ken IL the day after their iaital triumph
at Bull Run. They ought TO have assaulted IL
directly after their victory over Pope on nearly
the same ground. AT ast-three years after they
should have done it--they have made their rash
on the Federal capital We fCjoice az this; for,
whatever the immcnia'e result, We are sure that
the ultimate cunsep licences cannot fail TO Couduce
10 a conclusive national triumph.