Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-20
TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 20


The news from the armies under SHERHas. Ia
Georges. and THoxss ir Tennessee. i most "a
vorable Dispatch direct from SHEENsS in
forms the country that be has reached the coast
at or near Savannah. after an agreeable" trip
from Atlanta. and that be regards tina, city com
pleseIy under his control The only question 10
be considered l. the use he is to make Of bis sue
ce.sfsI march through the Empire State Of the
South The victory OF Tnox.s over HOOP ap
pears TO be decisive and complete. If the teie-
graphic reports in regard to the recent battles IN
Tennessee Approximate the facts 10 the case.
there neel be but little apprehension a. 10 any
aggressive movements the part Of the rebels
In that section Of the country Instead Of act
ing on the offensive the rebel forces will fnd il
exceedingly difficult to maintain even deien-
sive position. unless they possess resources
which the recent engagements have not
successful resistance. and there Is no evidenee
that he has. in his march from Atlantis 70 the
coast, his army will soon be in a condition to CO
operate with that Of GRAsr. in the overthrow OF
the rebel army under LIE, directly, or in
movements that .ill materially aid the Army OF
the Potomac in that object The recen, news
presents most encouraging view Of the Union
cause: but war. as the inference Of the past three
years demonstrates. il two sided game. and We
knos not what 3 day may bring forth. Ii tie
advantages -e have gained by the recent move
ments OF Generals SHERMAN and THosAs, are
promptly made available. as we have no doubt
they will be. from the Vigor displayed by those
commanders. may look forward With some
reasonable hope for an early termination OF the
war Thus far the North has not felt directly ia
rigors or is desolatIons Its continuance mucl
longer. however. BY the exhaustion il will occa
sion, will force upon Us 8 fun realization Of th'
terrible evils and calsmities Of civil strife.
Mr L,scoLS. in his late message, representing
the successful ami dominant party. declares that
the issue between the North and South car
only be tried BY var and decided by victory.
he discards all attempts 70 settle the difficulty
by negotiation impracticable The whole
p,wer aud influence oil the Administration Is
pledged to tho policy expressed by the President
The Administrative. the Legislative and Judi
cii branches OF the government sympsthize viii
and will sustain that policy. The issue i to BE-
tried by war alone and victory Is TO decide ID,
contest. Certainly none can be 80 blind as tC
doubt the intentions Of the party ia power Th'
question arises whether the struggle shall con
time indefinitely. exhiusting the resources ofth'
country and augmenting an Indebtedness to bur
then future generations or shethsr BY vigcr
Gus effort it shall be forced to determination
Apparently. AID We Judge from is acts, at n
time since the commencement Of this struggle
has the administration commehended The chtrac
ter OF the struggle or tho power Of the rebellion
Instead OF crushing IL In the beginning by on
overwhelming force. the policy pursued 10y th'
party in power has strengthened the rebellion ans
hardened IL until IL has assumed and exercise
all the functions OF an independent government
II the only ~ay Of determining tho issue il b,
war, only hope for success by the EN-
ployment of an overwhelming force. This polio,
in the beginning would have saved both life an'
treasure. and the policy which would have beer
economy then will be no Iess sise in the iu
ture