New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-13
HISTORIC LESSONS.

historic LESSONS.
Just half q century ago, hostile feet ap-
pearcd ia Chesapeake Bay, and landed on the
Paiuxent a couple ofbrigades, which made avig-
orous push on the Federal Metropolis. They
were confronted at Bladensbnrg by hastily col
lected Union force, mainly composed of Mary
land Militia, which ought to have arrested their
PROCESS but served rather to accelerate 1t.
The British speedily chased the shattered re-
main, into Washington, which they soon left be-
hind in wild, mad race for life. The British
pursued no further, but, burning the public edi-
fee, and stores. with the establishment OF The
Government printers returned to their ships as
hurriedly az they came. They next made an
attempt on Baltimore, but were repulsed ana
their commander slain. They then took them
selrc. of and made no further serious demon
stration in that quarter.
We had then been more than two years at
war. with cbeckered fortunes, but, on the
whole. with indifferent success. We lad COM
menced the struggle utterly unprepared, and
upder Indifferent Military leaders. The Gov
crnment, it was generally felt, had not eYinced
decided yigor and energy in the prosecution Of
The struggle. The public expectation had not
been fulfilled by is progress. The people had
in large measure, become disheartened and
iucr, A powerful and active party clamored
loudly for pcace-pcace on any terms. sepa-
ration of certain disaaected States from the
Union was loudly demanded. The country
seemed on the brink Of dissolution or ruin. Its
credit was at a low ebb, and its currency
rapidly depleciating. Government Obligations,
drawing twelve per cent interest, were sold at
heavy discount, though paid for in the de-
prccatcd paper Of insolyent banks. On every
side. discomfort, Encouragement, and apathy,
were manifested, and the final catastrophe
seemed imminent.
The raid on Washington changed all this as
if by magic. The Opposition increasingly de-
nounced The incompetency, imbecility, and I'M
rotence of the Administration, camoring lond-
ly for Peace; but the People did not respond.
They NAV have blamed or piticd their rulers;
but they rallied for the salvation Of their Coy
eminent. Forthwith, mwonted triumph he.
gan to gid their banners. formidable British
expedition under Sir George Provost was
arrested at Plattsburg the cooperating neet de-
strovcd. and the land force hurled back into
Canada defeated and shattered. Blow after
blow, well aimed, went home to tho vital. Of
the enemy, until at Newt Orleans few months
atcrward, the contest was closed by fearful
and sanguinary British defeat, and Peace once
more gladdcned our exulting countrymen. And
nothing had SO much contributed 10 revive Our
National spirit, aud thus insure these great sue
ces,cs, as that very raid on Washington which
was iondly expected TO hasten and confirm our
National overthrow
For years we have been hoping that the Reb-
els would as,al Washington City. Their Score
ttuy Of War threatened its capture directly after
the reduction Of Fort Sumter. They might
easily have taken it the day after their initial
triumph of Bull Run. They ought to have
assaulted II directly after iheir victory over
Pope on nearly the same ground. At last
three years after they should have done it--they
have made their rush on The Federal Capital.
We rejoice at this; for, whatever the immediate
result, we are sure that theultimatc consequences
cannot fail 10 conduce to conclusive National