The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-06-03
Our Washington Correspond dence.

WARRINGTON, May 18th, 1864.
Tie long trains Of ambulances that
daily file through the streets, from the
steamboat landing TO the Hospitals, would
be an assurance, in the absence Of all
other information, that fierce contest
was raging between large and determined d
forces. Great as have been the successes
OF our armies in Virginia and Georgia, i,
were not wise to indulge the belief that
there is no further need for effort. There
are yet stern battles to be fought, and en-.
during courage 10 be displayed by both
the armies and the people, before Slavery,
which is now the center Of the contest, is
overthrown.
This war, which is struggle for The
supremacy OF ideas, is marked, on either
side, by characteristics peculiar to each.
Southern soldiers and people are ANNA.
ted with bitter personal and malignant
hatred OF the men they oppose the same
feeling with which they would pursue a
refractory slave hence, the bayone,ing
OF helpless wounded men, the shooting OF
prisoners disarmed, rburying them alive,
and the systematic starving and freezing
OF our soldiers in their hands, for the
fiendish purpose OF breaking their conslilu-
lions, SO that, when exchanged, they can
be of no further service in the ranks
The Northern soldier is actua:ed by a
different purpose. He strives for the
maintenance of the Constitution, for the
supremacy Of law, and the security OF
liberty for all. Moved by such ennobling
objects, no wounded foe suffers in his
hands, or langushes in foul prisons, or,
exposed to the inclemency of the winter,
and furnished with insufficient food, after
incredible suffering, lies down TO die
Yet he brings to this struggle the endur.
ing persistence of a great idea. and his
barbarous Toe, however long his passion
may protract tie contest, must, in the
end. succumb.
The results Of visit OF several Senators
and others 10 the Rebel prisoners at Belle
Plain, is instructive, as they warn us not
to entertain too sanguine expectations OF a
speedy and comparatively easy destruc-
lion of the main support of the Rebellion,
the Rebel Amy even after the severe
engagement already fought; and to be
prepared for new and still more vigorous
efforts, in case Gen. Grant should not &C.
complish all that we hope he will in this
campaign. There were at Belle Plain,
some seven thousand prisoners, represent
ing dfferen, parts of Lees army, and it
appeared, LIST. that they were in good
health and excellent fighting condition,
showing that they had plenty Of good ra-
tions |; Cd, that. however motley their
dress, not one of them but had good shoes,
80 that they were fitted for marching /;
Sd, that they were defiant, and confident
in the ultimate success OF Lee, and de-
clared they were indifferent as TO what
became of them they were in for The
war, and meant 10 fight until they died.
II such was the general feeling Of the
prisoners, the Rebel army was neithe.
disheartened nor demoralized nor had it
any Union feeling in it. An army as
large as that Of the Rebels. actuated by
the spirit it is, cared for so far as its health
and fighting efficiency is concerned, con.
tending on ground with which it is famll-
lar, and with defences 10 which it can re-
tire, as compelled to fall back, is force
that will demand all the endurance and
courage We can command for its over
throw. As the feeling of this Southern
people will not be reconc!ed to The new
order Of liberty which is to be inaugurs-
ted upon their soil. il would appear wise
dispensalion of Providence, that, like the