Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-11-29
oFPIoIALpAPER OF THE CITY.



Nov. that the election 10 over, II lie hoped
that there viii be more sincerity in the
discussion Of the military situation. As
no political purposes can now be subserved
by mistatine the condition Of affairs, there
lie no good reason why the people should
not be told the truth in order that they
be prepared for whatever emergency may
occur.
For mOnths, and We might cay for years,
the army movements, and failures, ifany
have occurred, have been kept in fog and
obscurity, or so misrspreaeuted that people
have scarcely known what to believe.
The Republicans, in order to aid in the
election Of Lincoln aud to procure the en-.
dOrsement of his military policy, have La
bored assidueusly to make psople believe
that the rebellion was nigh unto death, and
shat it could bold out but short period
longer. We were told that it's backbone
was broken, and that If the people would
re-slsct Lincoln the thing would be accom-.
plished. As evidence of this they would
point to the feebleness Of the Confsderacy ?,
its resources exhausted. its armies defeat
cd, demoralizsd and mutinous, and its peo-
pie in despair.
New while none would rejoice more Sin-
osrely than we 20 see tho sanguine predic-
tioDs of our Republican friends come true,
yet an impartial and candid liberation
Of the facts compels us to take q different
view of the position Of our military affairs
than the enthusiastic aud excited reprssen
tations of the Republican press would make
people believe.
Aud in order that cur readers may see
Our reasons for disoreditiDg the encourage
ing aspect given to our military position,
We will state few facts, and leave them
to determine whether we have not jus,
grounds for our doubts and apprshsn-
sions
To begin with, there is Texas, q nation
IN extent and resources, in which DO Union
force has foothold. In Louisiana, out
side of New Orleans, we hold nothing. In
Arkansas we hold no considerable portion
Of the State, only two or three military
posts, and our forces there are outuumber.
ed BY the armies of Magrudsr and Price
and in great peril. A large part Of Mis-.
souri, is infested BY rebel gusrrillas. Va
rious rebel commands are marauding or
an extensive scale in Kentucky, capturing
military posts and large quantities o.
stores and taking prisoners. Hood and
Breckenridge, with q large force, held Ten.
nsssse at their will. We hold but sn in
sigothcant portion Of Alabama, and have
surrendered to rebel control nearly evsry
foot of Mississippi, Florida and the Caro-
linss. We hold no portion of Georgia sx.
cept strsgstic positions. guarded by armed
legiors. Sheridan has possession Of q
portion OF Virginia, but it is only by the dis
play OF heroic vslor and constant fighting
that he is enabled to do so. Sherman is on
an uncertain ard hazardous expedition
which if successful will give US great ad.
vantage, but. if unsuccessful, will be q
great national calamity. And Grant, after
more than six mouths Of persistent ana ex-
tsnsivs warfare. is kept at bay before Pc.
tersburg and Richmond.
We appeal to our readers if the above is
not an honest statement Of facts. We make
them In no croaking spirit, or to discour-
age any one, but to show that, if Mr.. Lin
coln persists 10 his policy of cOn6soasion,
emancipation and subjugstion or sxtermi.
nation, We have q long. wearisoms and
bloody work before us yet
We are not among those who disparage
| the movements and successes of our ar
mics. They have fought with unprecedsnt-
ed valor, and have plucked glorious laurels
an many battle fields, and have won iD-
portsnt victories, bnt it is q painful truth
that these successes have been rendered
barren and fruitless by the erroneous poll
ey Of our government. Such are the facts
and no one can gainsay them.
We bad some hope that Mcclellan would
be elected and the overthrow of the rebel.
lion would be wrought out through the dc
vellopement of a Union sentiment in the
rovOIted States aud the disorgauization of
the elements that now support the rebel
cause. but that hope is gone now. Our
only hope now is that Lincoln and the
dominant party may adopt policy upon
which tas North can unite in sentiment as
well as arms against the southern rebels.
If this be done, American liberty may sur
ViTe the conflict. and the American Re-
pablo emerge unhroksu from the FREY
trial. But If Lincoln will not learn wis
dom from the past, and change his policy
of suhjngation or determination fer one
more just and wise, the war will las. until
our national existence will be plotted ont
aud our homes rendered the scenes of woe.
mourning and dssols ton.