The Portland daily press., 1864-06-29
The CAMPAIGN.

Tne campaign.
The ears of the people are open 10 catch
every sound that comes from the Army of tho
hopes of victory for the battle OF Freedom.
No wonder the loyal citizens are thus excit-
ed for this war Is uneqraled in history by the
extent Of territory over which armed hosts
have trodden, by the continuity OF battles, the
fearful loss of human life, the iudomitable
proves shown and the immense interests to
humanity involved in the struggle. The Lib
erals of Europe feel deep interest in this
contest for the life OF a good government and
the rights Of the people. They would hail a
victory of the Union arms as the herald Of
better day for the worlds freedom, and the
dawn OF reign oil more liberal principles,
but defeat would swell with pride and ex-
ultation the hearts Of all the despots on
earth.
Such an inglorious discontinue would be
celebrated at the courts of Napoleon, Max
imilian, King William, Francis Joseph and
Queen Isabella, to say nothing of the court
Of st. James, as a victory won for themselves.
But not SO with the masses OF the people
the industrious working classes of those coun-
tries-the producers of nations wealth
the true lovers of freedom and the stern and
unfinching advocates OF human rights every
where. They would look upon defeat of the
Union army with sorrow and many msgiv-
ings. We trust the day is coming when they
will rejoice in the complete triumph Of rspub-
lican principles on this continent.
The cry of the London newsboys il not
Ashantee, where England is engaged in war,
nor the Conference, but america This
shows how the current is setting. and the
London editors stretch American news over
several editions of their journals for the pur-
pose Of giving them q greater circulation
The English aristocrscy feel deep interest
in our affairs, as the following from Carlyle
sufficiently shows: England" he said, "ls
doomed, II America lasts, to the same track
II America breaks down, she will pay back
to England all she ever cost her." Carlyle 10
an aristocrat of the first water, and writes
Just what he thinks and believes But we
can say to this celebrated writer that Amerl-
ca will not "break down." but that she will
"last" while he continues to breathe and q
few centuries afterwards. 1t is true a. the
poet says,
"a thou snd years scarce serve to form State,
An hour may Law II In the dust, and when
Can man its shattered splendors Tsroyate!'
But we trust that "hour" will not come,
and our country's shattered splendors" will
not require such renovation as the poet con-
templated. And we make these remarks In
full confidence of what we believe to be true
in regard to the present aspect of our affairs
10 the sold Dominion" Grants army Is
now swung round upon the north side ol
Petersburg, where he has advantages be could
not possess In other positions. The LEFT is we'll
thrown forward to, and even beyond the
Weldon road, very important one that runs
from Richmond through Petersburg into the
Gulf States.
Our forces are operating on the Lynchburg
and Petersburg railroad, and the Petersburg
papers say that the Dsnville road has been
cut by General Hunter, so that communities.
ton between the Confederate States and
Richmond is considerably damaged. The
Weldon Road has not been used by the rebels
for several days.
In this view OF the case we can see no rea.
son why Grant may not hold on to what hs
has got aud compel Lee to come out Of hls
entertainments aud tight him In = fair, open
feld. Lee must do so ere long, or fare wore
We believe Il Is now generally understood
that Grant will not sacrifice the lives OF his
soldiers by attacking Lee in his strongly for.
titled places, but rather invest the city and in.
duce Lee TO come out and risk general bat.
Our forces are cow in position from which
they can see the Petersburg stesples, and
throw shells into the city at their leisure. II
is possible that the rebel capital has been plac.
ed In condition to Withstand . siege; II so
that will somewhat prolong the time the reb.
Ell rag can float over 1t. We have Conscience
in Grant and hls army, and the present pres
poets are by no means discouraging, but, on
the contrary, bright and hopeful.
Gen. Sherman has not yet reached Atlanta
but is fighting his way towards 1t and will
probably capture il before many days. He ID
an able and successful General, and his work,
have proved him such. Our armies have 90,
great work TO do, but they will do IL 10 due
time, and peace viii be restored to our dis
tracted country.