Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-22


The New York Tribune. in commenting upon
The rccen, successes Of the federal arms. re
marks ~ follows -.
Nearly two years ago. Col. Grierson. after
cavalry raid from the Tennessee 20 Batos Rouge.
pronounced the Confedersey "a she'll. With moth
ing in IL" SheTman's parade from Atlanta to
Savannah gives emphasis to that cbAracteriza-
ton.
II nearly two years ago 40 intelligent officer.
after making cavalry raid through large por-
ton Of the Confederacy. regarded IL as "a shell
9Th nothing in r." and If the administration &C
espted this view Of is condition, Why was not
TN. hollow shell long since broken and its empti
ne.s demonstratedf Immense land and naval
forces. commanded by skillia officers. .havo been
"pegging away" at .his "shell with moth
ing in Il" for over three years, yet that
"sbell" has exhibited capacity for
resistance and endurance most remarkable. es-
pecially when the comparative strength. re
sources and condition of the opposing forces are
taken into consideration Either the peculiar
supporters OF the administration. represented by
such prints as the Tribune, fail TO appreciate The
resources Of an enemy lighting. all must ad-
init. at great disadvantage, or else by the repre-
sensations they now make Of the weakness of
the Confederacy. "a shell with nothing in it,
they not only underestimate tie power OF our
own government. but disparage the ability Of
the representatives Of the party in power to cope
with weak enemy. and also the courage and
gallaniry Of our armies. and the skill OF those
Who direct them II the ConJe,lerscy IL "a
shell with nothing in it," what necessity for an
increase Of the immense forces We have in the
field Can there be any apology under the
view that is thus presented for further. drains
upon the resources Of the nationp The Tribune
in summing up the view OF the present condition
OF the rebellion. says:
!" On the whole. il seems plain that the rebels
are decidedly over matched. and are going rapid
" TO the wall. II more soldiers needed 10
make n speedy end of the war, trust the Pres
ident will not hesitate TO call for them promptly
and frankly With 300 600 more men in our
armies. the 4th of March next should see Mr
Lincoln insugurated President of a nation reunit
ed aud at peace"
If war only. as the President states il in bis
recent message. Is to decide The controversy, hu-
mainly and policy alike demand, that If more
soldiers are needed to make aspeedy eud OF tie
war" the President should mot hesitate to call
for them frankly and promptly" But Why the
necessity, il the Tribune properly represents the
condition of the Confederacy? II the rebels
decidedly over matched and are going rapidly
TO the wall, asd il the Confederacy is only "a
shell. with nothing in it," WHY the occasion for
1000 900 more men in our armies" to suppress
this exhausted rebellionY In fact. what excuse
for the employment of the immense land ard
naval forces which have been in service FOR over
three years. il the rebellion was only shell
which required but vigorous blow to break il
into fragments?
The Tribune places ts party in an unenvisblc
diiemma. Its statement is concession tina
with all the resources OF mighty nation at il
command. promptly and freely contributed. i
has no, bad the administrative ability to suppress,
an instruction, which il compares to "a shel
~ith nothing in it." When such party contro
the destines OF truly great and powerful nation
what hope for reunion and peace-for the resto
ration of that bene6cent policy which made Ne
wealthy and powerful nation?