Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-17

for our Uniou people to remember this
skilfully concealed design which lies at
the bottom of all Southern literature.
1t is artfulIy contriVed as a part of the
rebel enginery in this war. AS species of
fnesse it is certainly worth the extensive
experiment which it is receiving at the
hands of the rebel editors.
PERHAPS there has been no time since
the beginning of the war when it was more
important than it is now for the nation to
look beneath the distractions and excite.
ments of the hour to the magnitude of the
issues involved in our contest and to the
absolute necessity of strainiug every nerve
in securing the victory of the government
over the rebellion. The Northern copper.
heads were never so busy, and in the pres
ent circumstances of the country they find
materials with which to work, and an OPP
portunity for their skill. 1t is plain that
by the failure thus far of Grant to accom-
plish his object in the Virginia campaign
the feeling of the people has been de-
pressed. The timid portion Of the nation
begin to despair of success, as they have
despaired again and again during the war.
Such moment is of all others best suited
to the purpose of those who would infuse
a timorous and doubling spirit into the
heads of all the people. They therefore
talk with unwonted smoothness and flip.
pancy about the folly of the war. Some
of them think it not prudent to go further
in their direct attack than to assail the Adj
ministration and then declare that it's blum
dering has we'll nigh, if not altogether, rem
dered our cause hopeless. But then they
touch on an other spring and enlarge on the
expensiveness of the war. Theyremind their
hearers of the income tax soon payable,
and also of the special tax to follow in the
autumn. If they get hearing they en-
large upon this point, as though wars
heretofore had been conducted without
expense. There are men who for one
cause or an other are opposed to the re.
election of Mr.. Lincoln, are tempted
by their political designs to paint our dis
asters in darker oolors than they deserve,
end to make light of our successes, lest
some honor should rebound to the Admin
Istration. This must continue till the
Presidential election is over, and there
fore, of course, until the military campaign
of the autumn is nearly finished. And
hence it is especially that men need to
keep their vision fixed on what Mr. Ruskin
would call the basic principles involved in
the contest.
They would do we'll indeed to look at
the passing events, the actual military con-
dition, little more calmly, and not to be
thrown into despair at our want of sue
cess in Virginia. If they would turn their
eyes to Atlanta, they would see that the
rebels have there within -four weeks lost
at least twice as many men as Graut lost
before Petersburg in the assault which has
made them so sad.
They would see that while the enemy has
brought up the last man, and cannot in
crease his force, We can if we choose send
half million of achievements to the field.
and that at the present stage of the contest
such disparity in the forces of the con =
tending armies could hardly fail to be de-
cisive. But to raise them or make them
efficient and maintain them we need to have
faith in our cause and full appreciation
of the tremendous consequences of failure,
and of the blessed future, which success
opens to US. We need constantly to hold
up before US the great fact that however
much it may cost US in treasure and life to
put down the rebellion, it will cost us yet
more if we abandon the contest. Let it be
repeated for the ten thousandth time that
there is no peace save in the overthrow of
the rebellion, that there is no national pro-
gress or even national safety without the
preservation of the unity of this mighty
nation. The price we are called to pay for
that unity is indeed great. But let us learn
by that to truly estimate the value of ma.
tional unity. Let us shut our ears to the
croaking of the respondent, the persuasiops
of the scheming foes OF the country and
the threats of open traitors, and with new
energy push. steadily on to the goal at
which We have been aiming for three and
a half years. This is the time for the men
of courage and hope and faith to lead the
nation. ,s-l......
A rF