The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-01-22
Signs Of Promise.
'Waiehman, tell Us of the night.
wat its signs VI promise afe.n

' NN''"S wv P'NGtces VI tne var
for the Union, we have seldom, II ever,
indrlged in ex,ravagant hopes Of speedy
triumph. There have been lines, is true,
when several signal and apparently de.
cisive victories in succession blessed
our arms, and drove our enemies aImos,
to despair, and it was impossible, at such
times TO repress the feeling Of cxultation
and hopeiulness which would instinclively
spring up in the breast of every loyal mau;
but tIere have also been times OF darl, and
fearful disaster, when al. brows were
olouded, and all hearts flled with sad.
ness, and only an unwavering faith in God
and the justice of our cause, which rose
sublimely above all difficulties and dan.
gers, would permit us to hope for ultimate
triumph The alterations Of victory and
defeat which have marked the progress Of
,he war, have taught us TO be neither foo
much e'ated by the one nor depressed by
abe other, but with calm trust to labor and
wai:. Yet, amid them all, our cause has
steadily advanced, until, at the beginning
ot the year 1864, the signs OF promise are
go bright that none but the disloyal and
faiIh'ess can fail 20 discern them. Lei
us note a few Of them
L. In the military situation there
is very much TO cheer and little TO
discourage. Step by step have the Ar
mics OF the Union moved forward into the
heart of the Rebel Conrederaoy. Every
important stronghold they have taken
from the enemy, is now in the possession
OF the Government. They have raised
the stars and Stripes in every one Of the
disloyal States, from the Potomac 10 the
RIO Grande, never again, as we trust, to
be lowered by the hand Of treason
and rebellion. By the capture OF Vicks-
burg and Pdt Hudson, and tho conse.
quent re.opeEing Of the Mississippi
River, they have literally rent the CO..
minions Of JEFF. Davis in twain, and, by
the occupation Of East Tennessee, de-
privea the Rebellion OF its chief source Of
necessary supplies. Meanwhile, the at
tempt Of the Rebels, in their desperation,
10 transfer The theater Of war 10 the
Northern States, has proved such u costly
failure that il will hardly be repealed
They will no. soon forget the terrible
lesson Of Gettysburg. The past year
has been, in the main, n year Of
victories, and, although our armies
are now resting, they menace the
contracting Rebel lines on every hand.
and, If all indications are not deceptive,
are preparing to renew the war in the
spring, with such vigor and in such mum.
ters as shall drive the vanquished Rebels
into the Gulf.
II. While the military situation is thus
encouraging. the continued ability and
determination of the North 10 prosecute
the war, and the increasing inability and
discomfort of the South, give promise That
it can only be changed for the better
JEFF. Davis merciless system Of conscrip.
lion has placed oil the available arms.
bearing population Of Rebellion in the
field, leaving no reserve from which 10
draft new armies when the present are ex.
hausted. The North has IA reserve yet
uncalIed for, greater than oil the armies
she has sent 10 the field her veteran
soldiers are generally re.enlisIing for the
war, anC all her armies will be replen.
ished mainly. Il not wholly, with volun-
teers. Voluntary enlistments in the Rebel
armies have long been unknown. AS
great a contrast is presented in the inan-
cial condition of the two sections. The
North, with all her vast expenditures, is
still prosperous and wealthy, her credit
unimpaired by tho war, and her liabil-
tiles met with the promptness which de.
notes solvency and public faith. Her
Government pays bounties, not only 10
volunteers, but also TO drafted men-an
instance of liberalily and an evidence OF
prosperity without n parel!el in the his
tory Of governments in peace or war;
The great mass Of her people pursue their
ordinary avocations with the same regu-
lari'y and security as in times of profound
peace. So great is the material prosperity
Of the North that it has become a question
with many able minds, whether it may
not, by ueeelessly prolonging the war.
prove q source Of regret rather than OF
qualification. At the South, on the con
trary, poverty aud deso!alion-the lie.
gitimate frui, Of treason and rebellion
everywhere abound. Financial ruin
s,ares both government and people in the
face. and the leaders. in order to retain
their usurped and hated power as long as
possible are compelled to resort to their ia.
yoriIe and only remaining resource-ropu
dialion. Discomfort, dependency and
characterization nrevail anonp tbo manila