Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-11

In some cases this may be so bat the other hand
the immediate effects of partial retaliation may sim
ply be to irritats and embtter Others, and for
time at least to strengthen the hands of LINCOLN by
enabling him to change the issue by mspresenting the
facts He and his organs may and will appeal to the
people Of the North by telling them that, uu.il the
South is subugated their own bones and resides and
ate governments are in danger. 1t may enable the
Lncolnites to raise cry of self Defence and this cry
they will raise long and Justify.
There are evidently reasons to be adduced for and
against the policy Of retaliation upon the enemys ter
rtoy n 30 far such retaliation has reference to the
growth and success of peace party among the people
But we do not really think these things amount to
much. LEE tried the kid glove policy and failed to
make friends MCFARLAND has tried fire and sword,
and hardly do than fall while he has execu-
ted righteous vengeance Such is the general feeling,
va believe.
The policy pursued at Chambersburg, whether alto
gether the wisest-and of that may well doubt 1--WE
confess do)-was certainly justified by the rules OF
righteous retaliation, and will be justified by the
sentiment of whole people who hunger and thirst for
day of reckoning to when unnumbered outrages
and injuries shall be atoned for. Chambersburg is not
the last of the Northern towns that will feel the weight
and be wsged by the North in the spirit that has
marked their previous operations.
TIE news from Mobile which we publish to-day
has been already umoured around the Streets and might
as well have been communicated to the press, and
through the press to the people, Why this useless and
foolish afectation Of retcence has baen employed
cannot pretend to ,ay.
That the forts at the bar entrance of Mobile Bay
have been passed there appears be little doubt
From the first it has been conceded that some portion
OF steam fleet could pass fors, unless detained under
their fire by Instructions. These could not be perma-
nently relied upon in the lower waters of Mobile Bay
considering the depth Of the water and the peculiarly
shifting nature OF the bar.
We are not surprised that swif vessels OF war may
have passed Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. We al
ways regarded such achievement as possible But
the Forts are not taken. No supplies can come in to
these adventurous vessels The Yankees are still twen-
tyfve miles d,s'ant from the city they cannot ap-
proach the shore except liz small boats They have yet
twice the difficulties Of Charleston barbor to
and if Mobile only be favored with defender hav
ing one helf OF the genius OF BEAuREaARD, the Yam
KEGS will never the seeples of its Churches. IT,
the contrary the cathatic qualities OF an eminent
evacuator allowed to have free operation Mobile
will risk OF being given up-evacuated, think
is the word.
From toerably fair knowledge of the defences of
Mobile, we feel no hesitation in saying that Mobile il
resolutey and nationally defended, is safe as il
was as So e as Richmond or Wilmington. Mobile is
attacked and our people ought to know how to defend
it, II they don't, then Charleston has taught them
nothing, aud if it falls then they will surely be to blame
At pre- sent cause for apprehension. We see
in the fact that they with their superior and
numerous vessels crushed our inferior ones We all
respect our navy. But,-but the leading positions of
the navy want an infusion Of young bood-the depart
ment is brave but superannuated-gorious and veie
rao, perhaps trae too much veteran. At any rate
means of harbor defence it has far amouated to
nothing. We regret this for the navy. We never de-
pended on it, we still respect it, it had chance and
we don't give up Mobile. As throwing some light up
on the position of things at Mobile, We copy the FOL-
lowing list of the Yankee vessels off Mobile, which,
| suppose, have been largely increased: -
THz FLEET OFF NOBLE.
correspondent Of the Baltimore American, attached
to Farraguts feet, speaking of possible engagement,
the Tennessee, (rebe ram) Admiral Buchsnsn's flag
Ship has, to tantal the whole feet, anchored
The The es Of he
Hartford lhsg ship] 20 guns
Rlchmono. IL guns
Stoohlyn: guns
1oGongsnela. IL guns
aecsaWSnna guns
Enelua: guns
%eIacoInp. guns
Genessee.. Observation-Disclosures. guns
Seoago. ~ guns
1oIt Royal guns
enc pee guns
Fndois.. guns
6usoo ................ :....,......: ..... guns