The Portland daily press., 1864-07-25
For Members OF Congress.
What has been Gained7

What has been Gained
In April 1861, when this wicked rebellion
first broke out, all the territory South o.
the Potomac River and East Of theMssissip-
ri River was wrc.ted from the Government
Of the United States, and we had no efficient
civil power In Maryland, Virginia, North Car
oliua, South Carolina. Florida, Georgia, Lou
isiana, Texas. Alabama, Mississippi, Tenne-
see, Kentucky or Missouri. This was large
slice to be taken from the power of the gov
eminent and placed under rebel rule, and nc
wonder the nations OF Europe looked upon
this large extent OF territory and inferred from
1t the magnitude OF the rebellion.
There Is nothing mysterious in the fact that
we looked upon the rebellion as being OF much
less magnitude than those did who were far re-
moved from 1t. We could hardly be brought
90 believe that so many Of the citizens Of our
Republic, who had grown rich and powerful
under the folds OF the old flag Of the Union,
could be wrought up to such degree of mad
ness as to buckle on the armor of traitors, and
tear down that flag from its staff where 1t has
AAOAtC0 iOA ~ many 9C6's ahu
won the respect and admiration Of the lovers
of liberty the world over. But so 1t was, and
the fact viii yet form one Of the most remark
able pages ever written by any historian. Flu
ture generations will read 1t and wonder how
such people could have becoms so demented
and so lost TO all emotions of a pure patriot
ism as TO rise up and rebel against govern
snent OF their own choice, which shed its bless
ings upon them as gently as the due falls from
heaven. And the wonder of coming genera
iions will be so increased as almost TO create
disbelief in the truth OF the historic page
wherein is recorded the appalling fact that
the enslaviug, buying, selling, whipping aud
working human beings, furnished the motives
for such a rebellion, and laid the foundation
for the uprising of people against the mild
est aud best government the world had ever
seen.
We believe the time is coming when the fl-
ture Inhabitants Of this same territory, now
covered by rebels, will be astounded when
their eyes fall on the pages OF the history OF
this outbreak against good laws and good gov
eminent 1t Is unquestionsbly one OF the
most remarkable, unreasonable, wicked,
strange and causeless rebellions that has hap
pened since the angels rebelled In heaven and
lost their first estate.
But we NUT br ak away from this episode
and return to the question, what has been
been gained? Our government has repossess-
ed itselfoi several OF the States above named
and reduced the military power of the rebels
20 : circumference embracing parts only OF
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolns,
Florida, Alabama and Georgia, with their de-
tached possession of the most OF Texas. Now
has nothing been gained? The god Termi-
ms has always been retres ing Ia spite Of some
their successes on the battle fields, and their
sieats have been followed Immediately by the
bal on ent OF whole states orlarge districts.
More 1.An ha Of their territory is gone from
them forever, and more than half their re.our-
ces have been cut off by Federal arms. The
stars and stripes now float over some OF their
largest cities, aud Grant Is now laundering at
their Capital. And the joyful news now greet. !.
our ears that Atlanta has Iallen before our vic
torious arms, and Gen. Sherman can now ~
ford TO rest awhile and refresh his brave SOL
disrs who have been marching and lighting on
. long road, but thanks to heaven, IL Is a road
that has lead 10 victory.
The loss Of Atlanta Is a severe blow to the
rebellion. 1t has hit IL between the eyes, and
it staggers under II. JEFF. Davis and his trail
tor satellites must now be sitting on tenter
hooks. The capture OF Atlanta GUS off the
rebels from many resources which are essen
tial to their very existence. The yowill feel
this loss more severely at the present junclure
of affairs than they have any previous one.
Even the fall OF Richmond would NOT so seri-
ousIy damage them. True, In the loss Of Rich
mond they would lose prestige, but not so
much power as they have lost In our capture
Of Atlanta which is the heart OF rebeldom.
What has been gained? Not only large ex-
tent OF territory, cities, towns, rivers, prison
ers aud munitions of war, but what ls still bet
ter, more enduring and more highly to be
priced, an enlightened public sentiment, an In
tense love of liberty, a just sense OF the rights
OF humanity and conscientious and firm be-
lief that God hath made OF one blood all ma
baoAs VI uiSh w uaSN on Inc race OF the earth.
In view OF all the surroundings OF the war.
and of Its varying aspects, we can see no rea-
son for dependency, but on the contrary. the
skies look bright aud give token of better d.v.
Gen. Sherman will now fad time, we trust. to
pull off his boots, feat he has not performed
for forty days as We are credibly informed,
and our brave boys can rest short time ere
they are led on TO more victories. Reader,
the rebellion is tottering to its fall. Let not
your courage ooze out, but be of good cheer.
Revolutions must have tina TO work out their
legitimate results. And the forces at work IN
crushing out this rebellion will tell on future
ages, and produce results We little dream OF in
our philosophy. We are not fighting tor our
selves alone, but for future generations. Let
us then keep on the harness until the work /.
accomplished which is given us to do. Con
perheads may retard these forces which are
working for the benefit Of the race, but only
TO give them more power and strength. "Vir-
cscit rulRere rirtus." We believe we can say
with truth, alIs well along the line.