The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-02
SATURDAY, APRIL ., 1850


btEAA EiNNA NAA@t - y Viz ~Aii-s ~
the Potomac; they indulge in the same
species OF rhetoric relative to him, that
filed their columns, when he took
command Of the Niclzsburg expedition,
and when assigned to the military diyis-
ion Of the Mississippi; they were par
tieularly pleased, on both these occas-
ions; but it was not difficult TO detect,
in their style, that their confidential
declarations were merely a screen, a veil,
to conceal their apprehensions.
The Richmond Wing is endeavoring
to convince its readers that our armies
are melting away; that they are weaker
now than ever before; and that there
have been no re-enlistments. This,
however. is Indicative Of their desires.
merely; they know for they have an
abundance Of evidence on the subject,
that the armies are today stronger
than ever before; and they are increas-
ing with great rapidity.
The Examiner, however, takes a more
rational view Of the subject it admits
the strength Of the army we can bring
into the field, and urges that ample
provision should be made to meet our
advance. 1t knows that Richmond viii
be the next prize for which battle VIII
be fought; it is aware that any advance
of our right, and centre, would be I'M
safe. while the left continued stationary
on the Rapidan; and it is also conscious
that successful Strengthening of our
lines would be worth to us two hundred
thousand men. 1t says, and with truth;
Scarcely a doubt is entertained, or can be
entertained, that the entire military force of
the United States, after deducting the mum
bers necessary 10 defend the Qualifications Of
Chattanoogs, Of Vicksburg, and New Or
leans. VIII be thrown upon Richmond. From
the FIRST day Of the war this point has been
naturally regarded by the enemy as the key
of the organization known as the Southern
Confederacv. Richmond WIS their first
word, and Richmond win be their last in
this war. They have sent each year an
army always greater than that which they
sent the year before. Defeat and disaster
has hitherto been the invariable result.
But perseverance is o quality in which the
Yankee was never supposed 30 be deficient,
and in addition 10 the reasons, 50 manifest
that they need no reeapitulation, why that
whole country should regard the capture of
Richmond as an achievement worth the
double or all their barren conguests in the
West, Grant and the Generals who have
distinguished themselves under his com
mand, have added the weight Of their au-
thority in the fullent extent, TO the counsel
Of those who now, as ever, regard Rich
mond as the Alpha and Omega OF Southern
conquest. Grant and the Western Generals
have discovered that they cannot advance
further into The Southern country while
Richmond stands, without laying their
heads on o blocl, over which is an uplifted
ak. They feel Longstreet on sleir left flank
and rear, and know that If they penetrated
Georgia, the forces from Virginia could
sever their lines, and destroy them between
two upper and neither uillstoue5. All they
can now do IN the West is 10 defend what
they have taken. This may be done with
lew men. They have erected enormous
Notifications on tho Tennessee and AIissis-
sippi. Leaving the requisite numbers 10
hold them, the rest Of the troops viii be
thrown on Virginia, and the first steps Of
the concentration have probably already
been taken.
This is stating the case as strongly,
and as plainly as It can be put 50 far
as it refers to The necessity for the CAP
ture of the rebel capital, and the exer-
tons that will doubtless be made to Sc
cure so desirable an object 1t is also
correct in its estimate Of the co-opera-
tive security of our existing lines, and
the dangers of a further advance. The
rebel force in East Tennessee is "a stand
ing menace to both this State and Ken
lucky and they can only be effectually
driven out by move on Richmond
The Examiner is Of opinion that the
column which viii advance on Rich
mond will number 100000 men; and
we think this is rather an under than
an oyerestimate 1t then asks the ques-
ton: What are our means Of resis-
tanceg and proceeds to answer it:
What are our means Of resistance? There
are two means Of resistance-thc first which
occurs 20 many is an offensive movement
on grand scale into some part of the enc
my's own territory. Bu, this measure is the
least probable OF adoption. IL has been
deemed the best policy of our rulers TO sit
still at home and wait for the enemy to
come when, where, and how he may think
best and this policy viii be, more or less,
consistently pursued by them to the end Of
the war. The only other plan to be adopt
ed is new defense OF Richmond, 1t was
most successful ina 1852, when we had Jack
son to drop from the clouds on the flank
and rear of Mcclellan. II may be success
full again without jackson, provided we
can get hundred thousand troops here in
time, and maintain them through the sum-
aer.
Our rebel contemporary then dwells
on the Importance Of defending the
Confederate Capital; and on this sub
ject its views are entirely correct With
the fate of Richmond, goes the fate of
the Confederacy.
But fthis is 10 be done, now is the time
when the real defcnces of Richmond
which is the defense, the only possible de-
fence of the whole Southern country must
be made. Success depends entirely upon
the preparation made now-now--in this
and the coming month. A vast depot OF
% army provisions and military stores ls an
indispensable requisite 10 The undertaking.
Ifnew Qualifications are wanting-a thing
which the engineers can say--uo cutlery or
intrigue sheuld prevent the levy of negro
hands from all parts Of the country TO do
the work with speed. Il is idle to listen TO
the voice of tho Individual selGshness now
as hitherto. Too much depends on il.
II Richmond is taken what viii those
farms and negroes be worth In that case
no corner Of the country viii be exempt
from the ravages Of the Yankee. Like a
great flood through the gap of q broken
dyke, the enemy viii penetrate the South
ern land. The Confederate armies NAV
still Keep in the field and mountain. but
over al the plan, down every river,
through every city, village hamlet. and up
10 every selfish planters door. VIII the tor
rent OF lava stream and dovour.
We believe Within Examiner, that if
Richmond is taken, the Confederacy
will succumb within q few months;
and therefore the necessity for concen-
trating all our available forces against
it is imperatiyely demanded We be-
heve such a concentration VIII be