The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-09
The Rebel Pres. on the spriug CAM

patkA.
The spring campaign, and the de-
msnds it makes upon the Southern peO-
pie, constitute the chief t,pics Of dis
cussiOn in the rebel press, at this time.
The Revolutionists are fully aware that
their cOnfederscy cannot endure another
year of disaster; that. She repetition of the
campaign Of Vicksburg, in the vicinity
of Mobile, and that Of Mission Ridge
near Knoxville, would be the signal for
= final dissolution Of their army; and
hence it is but natural that they should
experience . high degree Of anxiety, that
everything calculated TO avert disaster
should be brought into requisition.
Editors and politicians are not har-
monious in their We've; their language
to, and about one another is not compli-
mentary; and that which one vigorously
asserts will be the ruin of The country,
is, 10 another, the cherished antidote for
all ills; Davis would have everybody
conscripted; bis opponents ask how, I'M
der such circumstances, the army is TO
subsist; Memminger would repudiate the
rebel debt; the people respond by refu-
sing TO give credit TO bis currency; the
Secretary of War orders the impress
ment Of all provisions that can be found;
producers thwsrt him by secreting or de-
stroying their crops.
In the midst Of this discord and re-
elimination, many unwelcOme truths are
revealed, that the cOmbattsnts may be
enabled to fortify themselves securely in
their contest with their adversAriss; and
from these it is not difficult to learn the
weak points in the Confederate line of
defense; to ascertain which are the most
available means to be employed to infict
deadly blow.
We hsve 8 man now at the head of
our srnies-we refer to Gen. Grant
who is not an idle observer; but one who
carefully weighs the words of these fac
tions, and scts accordingly.
JEFF. Dsvis declared that Vicksburg
was essential TO the existence of the Con-
federacy; Gen. Grant captured il; it was
announced that East Tennessee was the
great store-house Of rebeldom; it was
occupied; and now be will doubtless con-
slider well the spprehensiOns of his ad-
versaries, and learn from them their
weaknesses, and how to best avail him
self of the advantages offered.
just now, the question of how to save
Richmond appears TO be uppermOst; and
in pointing ont the dangers by which it
is mepAced, they develop the best man
ner Of ssssulting it.
The Richmond Examiner of late
date, in discussing the failure, thinks
the chances are that "a grand combined
advance upon Richmond by three dis
tinct lines, with overwhelming forces,
may be the real programme of the spring
campaign. II is in harmony with the
strategy which Grant, the alleged devil
nor and contemplated leader of the Ope-
ration has heretofore exhibited. The
successes which have elevated him so
prominently above all the generals Of the
enemy aud probably opened the path for
him TO seize the glittering prize of the
Presidency, have been all won by The vig-
orOus and unsparing application Of SUI
Derior numbers-an advantage and
strategy common to him with his col
leagues, but which he has used to =
greater extent, and in which he has been
favored by prOpitious chances"
The fears Of the Examiner direct at
tention 70 the real source Of danger;
they point out 70 Gen. Grant just how
he can successfully sssail the rebel cap
ital, if be chooses to do so. The appre-
tensions Of the rebels for the safety of
Richmond, are doubtless well ground
ed; and We hope and believe that their
darkest fOrebodings will be realized, and
that, too, in the very manner and by the
means, they themselves indicate.