Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-07-15
One Year Ago.

extravagant hope to the extremity of DIES
pair, is said, by foreign observers, to b.
the marked characteristic of the Ameri
: can people. The settled and steady de
termination which instigates the repeat
ed efforts that at length nerve the arm t.
lift the heavy burden, is absent so say
our Atlantic detractors. Though
. false as general statement, il must b.
admitted that the proclivity Of certain
element in every communicate bC
quickly elated or deeply depressed with
out sufficient reason, either for joy OIL
grief,-has given coloring ofplausbil
ity to this criticism. 1t is this portion o.
our population that is thrown into such
wild transports by the frs! gleam of vic
tory that they cannot look with firmness
upon the smallest war cloud that may
lightly shade the brightness of our sky
From them now come eroakings because
Grant hasn't taken Richmond because
of scar prices; because of dry weather,
&c, &c. We would do we'll to remem
Der and to emulate the firmness of the
rebels, who have for many months been
paying Dar prices that we have not yet
paid. We who defend the right ought
at least to show ourselves as superior to
unmanly fears and encouragement as our
enemies, who fight for the wrong. But
let US glance for moment at the situa.
ton, and consider whether the heavens
really look hung with black, or whether
those who murmur are only color blind.
One year ago to-day the fearful strug-
gle between the Army of the Potomac
and the veteran, hitherto victorious host
of Gen. Lee, had just been terminated.
A three days fight of varying success had
given US bloody but substantial triumph.
One year ago to-day Vicksburg surrend-
cred. Vicksburg and Gettysburg made
the 4th of July 1868 day Of great and
happy success for us, but the 4th of July
1864, finds US with our military situation
vastly improved, though the absence of
any startling and brilliant military ez.
plot may shut our eyes to The fact
The battle of Gettysburg left US so weak
that the able soldier who commanded our
armies distrusted its ability to i n a
second victory.
Chattanooga, East and Middle Tennes-
see we're still stubbornIy held. To day
finds US with one of our great armies
planted immovably before the gates Of
Richmond, able, anxious to give battle,
in its superiority in spite of the
conflicts that have thinned
its ranks. The valor of our other great
army has wrested from the foe East Ten
nessee and its strong holds, and without
having met single important repulse,
has pushed its way n the heart of
Georgia. Surely the close of a year OF
war in which the tables have been so
turned that not once has the
South been able to take the offensive,
but to-day is fighting desperately for her
1'On capital is no time for black looks
and curses, because Of the sudden rise in
the price of -four, pork and gold. More
han this, all the intelligent officers, whom
disability sends home from the
army, are full OF confidence, and express
their surprise and disgust at a certain
sort Of gloomy talk they are forced to
hear.
IF the officers and soldiers Of our arm
les, suffering the heat and thirst and dust,
and all those dreadful annoyances Incl
dent TO war in Virginia at this season,
can still bear up stoutly in the face OF
death and disease, and proclaim their
'aith in themselves a d their leaders.
surely it is not decent or becoming for US
who sit at home in peace and compare
i've plenty to be croaking and bewailing
he evils with which some of US seem
to endow our future.-R,~-
ingtOn Times.