The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-05-12
THURSDAY, MAY II. 80
THE FosITIes d vll.elAIA.

THE POSITION IN VIRGINIA.
The news which We have given to oul
readers in recent isaues is such q to cheer
every loyal heart. The prolonged strug,
giles which have resulted in such evident
success to our arms may not be ultimate
ly decisive. The contest may have 70 be
continued long and 6ercely before that
final triumph for which every patriotic
citizen is hoping and praying is achieved.
Before Lees army is routed and annihi-
lated, and the fall Of Richmond insured,
still more stubbornly contested fields may
have to be fought over; still fresh por-
tions Of the soil Of the Old Dominieu b
baptised with the blood, and consented
by the valor of our vessran soldiery j;
still other hearts be added 70 the long,
long list of those oil over the laod who
mourn the bravsly fallen, list that has
been SO largely increased BY the fearful
conflicts which have preceded and secured
the victory over which we rejoice to-day.
But above the smoke and mist OF battle
which covers the late battle-felds in Vir-
ginia, loyal hearts can see q bow Of prom
Use; through the clouds of donbs,and sus-
pense. and anxiety, We see shining the
sun of prosperous and glorious future.
We fnd the grounds Of this hope and
confidence in the unyieiding determins-
ton and unfinching bravery with which
Grants veterans met the terrific onslaushs
of Lees forces, which had so often be-
fore been successful, and had sent the
armies of Hooker and Burnside, broken
andsshattered, across the Rappahaanock.
VIZ. find it in the valor which not only
hurls back the rebels, confident of success
and flushed with repeated victories upon
the same ground, but follows them up,
ard deals blow after blow with stagger-
ing force and crushing effect until the en-
emy is forced to retreat before our
troops, and give up his strongest line Of
defenses. We End il in the success
full "fre in the rear" operations OF Gen.
Butler. When We survey the vhols4
ground. when we look back at what has
been done and what is doing, and when
f 4 9. 49,
we remember that it is the hero Of Donel-
son, and vicksburg and Ceattanooga who
leads our armies, we think We have great
reason to believe that, with the blessing
of God upon our arms, Richmond, the
mother of abominations, the harlot Of re-
bellion, which has been so long Haunting
defiance in the face Of our army and onr
National Capital. will soon be the lagi.i-
mate properly of old Unconstitutional Sur
render. God grant that it may soon be
80.
But let us not be too exultant, We have
thought heretofore that We had good rea-
sons 10 expect the fall of Richmond. In
deed we nave held jolIi6cation meetings
over sensation dispatches to that effect
which proved to be premature. We will
not do it now--we bide our time. Even
If reyerses should follow, stiil We have
faith ia God and hope in our country. We
believe that We shall succeed and no num-
Der of defeats should prevent rs from
making those vigorous and persistent ef-
forts which will alone insure success. ~
Nor let MS forget to think lovingly Of
the dead heroes of the strife nor to aid,
if possible. the MANNED and suiIsring liv-
ing; nor to speak words Of comfort and
kindly sympathy 10 those poor souls. from
whose life, some loved one fallen, by that
loss, has driven the sunlight forever.
~ ONE HUNDRED DAYS.
r. x1 :