Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-06
What is at Stake in Virginia.

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We are an impulsive people, no doubt,
and have some sort of crisis ON hand
most of the time. But in all calnness
and sobriety we may say that we are now
just entering upon the most critical peri
cd of the war. The campaign Of Gen.
Grant in Virginia may not be decisive.
and final, as we sometimes rather loose
ly speak of it. But it involves neces-
sary consequences of the utmoet maeni--
tude and importance. Greater armies
arc being concentrated there than eyerbe.
fore, and there is on both sides the most
stern and unyielding resolution, with ia
to push the campaign to conclusion with
the utmost vigor, and with the enemy TO
make stout and stubborn resistance
Unless there shall be an extraordinary
power Of strategy exhibited on one sids
or the other, to win victories without bat
ties, we have reason to anticipate the
bloodiest scenes Of the war during the
campaign now about to open. OPERA
lions elsewhere are of small consequences
"a comparison with those in Virginia
The campaign on the other side of the
Mississippi is but outpost skirmishing,
compared with the clash of mighty ar
mics which is to break the present;omin-
GUS hush on the sacred SOIL
The special movements planned by
Gen. Grant are we'll concealed, All that
we know is that he is concentrating all
available troops, and leaving tho border
garrisons to be defended by the invalid
corps and the state militia; that he does
not suffer himself to be diverted from
his main object by any raids Of the enc
my along the border, but devo:es himself
to the single gigantic task before him Of
defeating the ablest general aud strongest
army of the rebellion, and capturing its
capital and that he is in fact as we'll as
in name the general-in chief, and has the
entire direction Of the campaign and the
hearty support and cooperation of the
government that in fact all the condi-
tons of Success are with Gen Grant
more absolutely than with any previous
commander in Virginia.
Under these circumstances the country
has confidence and strong hope Of sue
cess, and it is a good sign that there is
wanting now that feeling Of overcome
dence and almost certainty of triumph
that has so untitled US to bear reverses
with fortitude. We expect Grant to win,
but we have learned that the best sp.
pointed armies, under the ablest leader
ship, are not sure of success, and we shall
bear delay, Tepulse and disappointment,
if we must, with more fortitude than
ever before. Whatever happens no 10y
al man will for a moment entertain the
idea of giving up the national cause.
We shall have need of all the resou-
ton we can command, there is no doubt,
if Gen. Grant fails of success in this
campaign. Matters have reached such
a state that all our interests hang sus-
pended on the event. A thorough sue
cess in Virginia will restore the credit of
the government as no legislative expedi-
ent can, and will dspel all the doubt that
bangs over the political situation. But
great defeat, there is n5 telling what
evil consequences it may not bring. A
rapid decline in the value of the curren-
cy and a conseqent rise in prices, con-
fusion in all our business arrangements
and suffering in all the homes of the peo-
pie, are some of the consequences that il
needs no gift of prophecy to foretell.-
Still worse might be the effect upon our
politics. Taking advantage Of the APP
prehensions of the people, the party Of
reaction and surrender would have a
prospect of success in the presidential
election, and in November we might see
the government thrown into the hands
of a combination of traitors, peace men
and compromisers, who if they did not
actually surrender half the country to
the rebels, would welcome them back to
supreme control of the nation and give
their pet institution a new lease of life.
All motives, military, financial and poll
teal, thus conspire TO urge to The highest
effort in this most important campaign,
and we believe the government compre-
hen9s the great issues at stake, and is
putting all its energy into the campaign.
So believing, let US wait with patient
hope, ready to rejoice in the best and
bear up sternly under the worst.-.Spring-
field Republican.
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