New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-28
ONO aid to the patriotic cause in which the nation

is engaged.
They who think that tho war, ere this.
should have been brought to conclusion. must
consider that the Rebels, having resolved, for years
back, on the course they would pursue, wcre fully
prepared for the conflict. With bascness never
before exhibited even by traitors, they abused the
confidence reposcd in them by generous ma.
ton, by surreptitiously appropiAiny to the
purposes OF treason tho munitions Of war
that had been provided for the defense
Of the country. While occupying the
highest Offices, and drawing their pay from the
common treasury, they werc plotting in secret, the
ruin Of tho Government they profcssed 20 serve.
Having all their arrangements made, they COM
menoed tho war. For such conflict, re were I'M
prepared. We had al army to create, TO organize
and drill. Almost two years were passed, from tho
outbreak OF the Rebellion, before wo we've enabled
TO bring into tho fed well appontedaImy. Most Of
our officers were inexperienced and had to learn, IN
the face ofthe enemy rldmcnts of military science.
We had to create navy of unusual force, to block
ade vast extent OF seacoast and for the transport
alton of our armies LII addition TO these difficult
ties, We had to advance upon the enemy in COM
try every rood Of which was known to them, and
scanned with military eye, in view OF tho deadly
struggle that would ensue on the outbreak0fthe Re-
beHion. Nor must we, in reviewing onr situation,
overlook the fact that the country through which
We had 10 advance upon the enemy presented unu-
sual difficulties to be encountered by an Invading
army Ofthese the Rebels aware; yet, nottfust-
ing TO these clone for safety, they improved their
natural advantages by al the artificial cor srncIions
which military science could bring 10 their all.
Every hilltop was fortified, and tho banks OF thef
numerous rivers bristlcd with cannon. Their enqn-
eers-haying more skill than principle-we well
educated at the expense Of the United States Gov
eminent from whose service they deserted, with
their regimentals on, 70 tie camp OF tho Rebels.
Nevertheless, left 20 their own resources they
would erc this have yielded 70 the superior power
of the loyal states. We have had throughout this
distressing struggle to encounter the hostility both
of England and OF France. Their sympathic. from
the commencement Of hostliiies have been With The
Rebels; AID the former power especially, has been
both constant and liberal in hercontributons Of ma
terial aid 10 the cause Of the enemy. She has been
the shipyerd, the recruiting ground and the arnory
Of The Rebellion. With OIL these and many other
difficulties v hich might be brought in TO the ac--
count. the progress .e have made in the war IS
creditable alike to the Government snd tie Army
all that is BOW wanting To insure speedy and bfil-
an, Success il unity Of action among the people Oh
the loyal states. Henceforward, let party rancor
subside; Jet yrciudccs lie overcome and by
zones be known only in the past; we have COM
mon heritage 20 save and let ia common Ser-
ton to save il. 10 produce that unity so necessary
to the salvation Of the r public letreyings hence
forth cease; let the offensive terms "Copperheads.
as applied 10 the Democratic party, and Black
Republicans" land Abolitionists,' ssapplied 70
their opponents, be laid aside, and let all iutrro
discussions DO conducted with decency and ior5ear-
once The Administration should not, and /; VIII
not object TO candid review OF tsmcasures and to
fair criticism upon IFS public ects. Indiscrimnsts
cen.urc beirays factious spirit, While timely and
indicions criticism may lie consistent with the
prrest motives ond the iostest patriotism. In Tins
emergency OF our national Affairs, We have the
strongest motives the- can eotuse freemen 10 make
a grand united effort 10 oUbdue The Rebellion, and
destroy the hopes OF those here and Ia other lands
who would overthrow Tho /" Great Republic" aud
e1tinguish forever the besoon-light OF liberty on
This Western Continent. ASOLp WHO.