Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-13

The Next Campaign |
We took occasion in recent Issue to
sontrOvert some verycomnOn opinions re
speoting the termination Of the war.
Believing that the expectations Of many
men, including some in high Office, are
by far too sanguine, We return to the
subject to strengthen the position thus
taken. The conviction has fastened
upon the minds of many true men,
shst ths hard sighting is over, or at
s. least, nearly over, and that general in
husnoss may be relied upon to finish the
var, we wish we could sgree with these
ovsr-sanguine men; but as we cannot, and
thinking the spread Of such opinions full Of
danger, We must be allowed to enter our
protest.
Il is vain to say the South is stripped Of
fss resources and show Of its strength
History affords numerous examples Of peo-
PIES carrying on successful war under far
greater disadvantages than those now sur
rounding the South. Witness the RsVolu-
tionsry wsr, urged By people often
brought 10 the very verge Of destruction
constantly destitute Of the materials Of
war; silnsss the heroic stTugEle Of the
Greeks against The Turks, In which that
Gallant people won their freedom from
fhsir Oppressors. We do not argue from
these examples that the rebels are to sue
oeed; on the contrary we believe in the
inmut&bility Of truth in the Immortality
Of civilization" as Sir James Mcintosh
happily phrases Il, and hence we argue
that they must fsil. We instance them
TO chow that e brave and determined
people can carry en- war under seeming
impossibilities, and surely no one has the
tsnscity to deny these qualities to the
s5uthern psOpls. II there is anything
that can supply the place Of military
measures, 1t is an indomitable spirit, and
that we are willing to concede to the Con-
federates. Besides that thsy have shg-TH
Grant cspaeity IN de ending their capitol
no sane man can dispute. To hold the
contrary, would put the North far down
In the list Of people, helplessly imbecile
The North can vindieate its capacity and
hsroism only by co8csding, at least, equal
cepscity and heroism in the South. Whai
has this military capacity and spirit yet
ct its dispossl2 All the talent, wealth and
ambition Of the rebel States have beer
drawn into the vortex Of rebellion. There
il no element Of strength that has not beer
freely given to the common cause, and
there is no such element that is not to day
pledged to its support. All these elements
Of power are net annihiliated, and W
need not expect them to surrender at dis
oretion. Notwithstanding its revesses
the rsmnsnts Of powerful armies-somr
ConfederRey; nearly ell Of seven Ststes i
yet behind their line Of battle. There i
sufficient evidence that ell the white popu
lstiOn capable Of bearing arms, irrespeo
tive Of age, are being conSoripted. B.
some mske-shift, despite the fsilurc 0
Memingers printed money, these men viii
be provided with the necessary material
for making war. When our armies al
ready to advance in the Spring. they vii
md rebel armies ready to confront them
II we succeed in forcing them from tbei
present positions, their defeated armie
viii concentrate and select new position
which they will defend with the despers
ton Of despair. When their troops ar
concentrated, they will mtke one Of th
most formidable armies Of modern time
To conquer il in the fnsl struggle, viii
an undertaking Of no trifing Importance
Said e distinguished General in ou
hearing: 1--WE need force enough to com
pei them to concentrate, and then viii
them concentrated" Governor seymou
Is reported to have said; ave have gsi
that point in the progress CT Ii
war, for which, all have struggled" MOI
false and delusive words. The ultimat
point is yet to be reached-the citadel ,,
70 Be stormed.
Tue Femsinder Of the war seems to .
very much like = grand hunt in the olds
times. After the agame" is "drivsn in,
the decisive conflict comes in the centel
10 this case, that conflict is yet to come
we hope 1t may be short-We know il wi
be bitter.