Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-01
The sprinr CnmnnIrn.

Ne took occasion few days ago to e1-
press cur opinion Of what the spring cam
paign would probably be. Events thus far
have confirmed the view then taken, and
We desire tp examine the subject again.
Although there are many good reasons why
the rebels shogld cling 10 their capital OF
whstever hazard, Jet the weight of evi-
dence points toward the approaching e7so-
ustion Of Richmond. This will undoubt-
ediy involve the gravest consequences, but
when two disastrous ways lie before des-
persts men, thst which is illuminated by
a achsaoe ray of hope VIII be chosen. In
abandoning Richmond, they lose prestige
in Europe, where the ospture Of capital
implies the subjugation Of people. The
menaeing attitude they have maintained
toward Washington, will cease
thus giving opportunity for the employ
ment Of large force that has been
wholly employed in defending our capital
Virginia, now under The military despOt-
ism of JEFF. Davis, once emancipated, viii
initiate the example of other States freed
from rebel rule, and soon inaugurste 10y
81 government in the State.
There being no suitable line Of defense
in North Caroline, that State must like
wise be sbau8Oned. The explosive ma
terisls already st work in the Old North
State will burstin volcanic fury, bringing
desoIatioR upon the men by whom her peo'
pie have been so cruelty wronged. All this
these wretched Cstalines at Richmond will
venture, if they oan only fling back to the
Ohio the lesions Of Grant that are now
planted among the mountains of Northern
Georgia. Hemmed in by the narrow limits
of the three States Of South Carolina,
Georgia and Alsb ana, they might fOr
time make some desperate Onslaughts upon
our extended lines. As affairs now are,
JEFF. Davis has long frontier line to de-
fond. Facility in the movement Of troops
is necessary for its protection. The rick
ETY. condition of Southern railroads will
scarcely admit Of this. The connection
between Lee and Longstreet is therefore
liable to being severed by the incursions
Of our cavalry. Although Longstreet:
present position is favorable for making q
sudden raid upon Grants communications
yet he is liable to be isolated from the co,
operation Of either Lee or Johnston.
The recent retreat Of the rebel Johnston,
one of the most important military events
of the dsy, from his strong position along
the Coosawattee, about midway between
Dalton and Rome, is to be interpreted as
furnishing reinforcements to Longstreet.
This very strong position has been aban-
ed, but whether all Of the rebelforces have
gone as far south as Atlanta is question
able. On the contrary the probability is
that before retiring from his stronghold,
Johnston managed to transfer some Of his
troops up the valley 50 as to cooperate
with Longstreet in his long threatened at
tack on Knoxville. II this be SO we may
expect to see the rebels opening the
Spring campaign by tremendous effort
to cut of the army of General Grant from
its base of supplies. The idea, usually
ascribed to Generrl Hslleck, that the reb-
els are going to make grand raid north
into Ohio or Pennsylvania is very imprOb-
able. The best they can do is to act on
the defensive.