East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-12-14

anu WcSteTu nloSioSipli, VI hoi ehc'h
Alabama, and of western Tennessee
arc again in our possession and all
attempts TO penetrate from the gulf
states have been baffled. On the en-
tire ocean and gulf coast of the con-
federacy, the whole success of the
enemy, with the enormous naval re-
sources at his command, has been linn
tied 70 the, capture of the outer de-
fences of Mobile bay.
If we now turn to the results ac-
complished by the two great armies,
so confidently relied on 10y the invaders
as sufficient to secure the subversion
Of our government and the subsection
of our people TO foreign domination,
we have still greater cause for devout
gratitude TO Divine Power. In south
western Virginia, successive armies
which threatened the capture OF Lynch
burg and Saltvillo have been routed
and driven out of the country, and
portion Of eastern Tennessee recon-
ouerod by our troops. In northern
Virginia extensive districts formerly
occupied by the enemy are now free
from their presence. In the lower
vsriry. liIois os..~--i ---i--~l daspa-
rate by his inability to maintain q
hostile occupation, has resorted to the
infamous expedient of converting a
fruitful land into desert by burning
its mills, granaries land homesteads,
and destroying the food, standing
crops, live stock and agricultural i'm
elements Of peaceful non-combatants.
The main army, after series OF de-
feats in which its losses have been
enormous after attempts by raiding
parties to break up our railroad COM
munications, which have resulted in
the destruction of large part of the
cavalry engaged in the work; after
constant repulse of repeated assaults
on our defensive lines, is, with the aid
of heavy reinforcements, but with, il
is hoped, waning prospects of future
progress in the design, still engaged
IN an effort, commenced more than
four months ago, to capture the town
of Petersburg
Tho army of Con Sherman. ell
though succeeding at the end Of the
summer in obtaining possession OF
Atlanta, has been unable TO secure
any ultimate advantage from this sue.
cess. The same general who, in Feb
ruary last, marched large army from
Vicksburg TO Meridian with no other
result than being forced to march back
again, was able, by the aid Of greatly
increased numbers, and after much
delay, TO force passage from Chat
tanooga to Atlanta, only to be for the
second time compelled to withdraw on
the line of his advance, without OBJ
tanning control of single mile of ter
ritory beyond the narrow track Of his
march, and without gaining aught
beyond the precarious possession of a
few fortified points in which he is
compelled to maintain heavy garri-
sons, and which are menaced with re-
capture.
The lessons afforded by tho history
OF thus war arc fruught with instruc-
ton and encouragement. Repeatedly
during the war have formidable ex-
petitions been directed by the enemy
against points ignorantly supposed to
be Of vital importance to the confede-
racy. Some of these expeditions have,
at immense cost, been successful ; but
in no instance have the promised fruits
been reaped. Again, in the present
campaign, was the dolusion fondly
cherished that the capture of Atlanta
and Richmond would, if effected, end
the war by the overthrow of our gov
ernment and the submission of our
people. We can now judge by expe-
riencc how unimportant is the influ-
ence of the former event upon our ca
pacity for defense, upon the courage
and spirit of the people, and the sta
billy of the government. We may,
in like manner, judge that if the cam
paign against Richmond had resulted
in success instead Of failure; if tho
valor of the army under the leader
ship of its accomplished commander
had resisted in vain tho overwhelm-
ing masses which were, on the con-
trary, decisively repulsed if we had
been compelled to evacuate Richmond
as well as Atlanta, the confederacy
would have remained as erect and de-
fant as ever. Nothing could have
been changed in the purpose of its
government, in the indomitable valor
of its troops, or in tho unquenchable
spirit of its people. The baffied and
disappointed foe would in vain have
scanned the reports Of your proceed
ings, at some new Legislative seat, for
any indication that progress had been
made in his gigantic task of conquer
ing free people. The truth so patent
to US must ere long be forced upon
the reluctant northern mind. There
are no vital points on the preservation
of which tho continued existence OF
the confederacy depends. There is
no military SUCCESS of the enemy
which can accomplish its destruction.
Not the fall of Richmond, nor Wash
ington, nor Charleston, nor Savannah,
nor Mobile, nor OF all combined, can
save the enemy from the constant and
exhaustive drain Of blood and treas
ure which must continue until he shall
discover that no peace is attainabls
unless based on the recognition of our
indefeasible rights.
Before leaving this subject it is graf
;fv;ncy IN asa,rre Won that tho military
supplies essentially requisite for mill
tary defence will be found, as hereto
fore, adequate to our needs; and that
abundant crops have rewarded the la
Dor Of the farmer, and rendered abor-
tive the inhuman attempt Of the ene-
my to produce by devastation, famine
among the people.
DEArm OF JouN AxronD.-A great
number of tho citizens of Oakland
county will be panied to learn of the