The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-21
The CAMPAIGN.

When Gen. Grant was about to enter upon
his campaign with the army Of the Potomac
he was asked by friend if he intended to
lake Richmond. The answer was, ~ intend
to phip Lee" This answer was laconic, but
pregnant with meaning, and shadows forth
something quite characteristic of our brave
General. To whip Lee is of more Importance
than TO take Richmond. The greater involves
the less. II Lee 10 whipped, of course Rich
mond, that focus Of traitors. will fall. And
when that falls, In the order of events intimat-
ed by Grants answer, the rebellion will re-
ceive such a staggering blow that 1t will be
very difficult, Il not absolutely impossible, for
Il ever TO stand again upon its legs with any
assurance Of much longer continuance. We
have always been firm in our conviction that
II the military power which JEFF Davis and
his minions now WELD over the Gulf States is
broken, and its prestige gone, there win arise
IN Dixie an Union feeling which cannot again
be put down, and which would surprise even
our shrewdest politicians, If not our wisest
statesmen. We read Of no despot OF ancient
or modern days who has so crushed out the
spirit Of Liberty with an iron heel as JEFF
Davis and his satellites have done, but it will
rise again and become formidable power,
even In the SPECIALIZED" Confederate States,
when this heavy yoke Of military despotism Ia
removed from the necks OF the poole.
We indulge strong belief that Grant Is the
chosen instrument to break that yoke iu pieces
and let the oppressed 60 free. His army has
emerged from the swamps OF the Chlckahom-
iny, and crossed the James river, where they
breathe purer atmosphere and tread upon
hrmer ground. In gaining this foothoid on
Old Virginia's sacred SOIL" Grant has done
much TO weaken the power Of the enemy, de-
moraiize his ranks and confuse the head Of the
leader, who seems to have been much blinded
~ TO the movements TO be made or the places
where our General would next turn up.D
Some comprehend journals seem to derive
much comfort from the fact that Grant Is now
where McClellan-was once, as IL it were an
: honor for the latter General to have the for
mer tread In his tracks. II would indeed be
IN honor to Little Mac II Grant would adopt
any, even the smallest, Of his plans. But thus
far Grant has given a wide berth to Macs
plans, and pursued a route entirely different
Lee, no doubt, has apoweriul army, but the
battles he has been compelled to fight have
greatly weakened his forces, and his power OF
Mischief Is much diminished. Besides, Grants
march overland has destroyed all hope Lee
might otherwise have INDUCED OF making
raid upon Washington, on which his eye has
been fixed for a long time. The fanking
movements Grant has made during this march
have been skillfuily accomplished, and the re-
petition OF them, to use the language OF
another, becomes grand In its monotonous
persistence" There is panic in Richmond
about this time, and, no doubt, Lee trembles
In his boots. BY the near approach of the
Union army, with Grant at its head, the ner-
gvous system of the jewellers In Richmond have
been somewhat deranged. An inside view Of
the rebel capital would exhibit strange com.
pound of fears and hopes-iears in the hearts
OF rebels, and hopes in the loyal bosoms, for
be 1t known, there is strong Union senti-
ment even In this stronghold OF traitors.
The last advices inform us that Lee has fall
len back towards Richmond, but whether he
will coop up his army In that city, and await
regular siege, or come out and give Grant
battle, remains to be seen. II would not sur
prise us to hear at any moment that Richmond
~ evacuated, and Lee on his way further into
the centre Of rebeldom, for he must see aud
know that Grant will invest the place, and
cut of all communication In case Lee seeks
refuge behind the Notifications In the city.
oae thing Is quite certain, he will not attempt