Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-03-04
FRnn The snuTH.
The Evacuation OF RIchmond-Is It
Intendsd9


Inteudsd4
The following Egnifesnt article is from
the Seatissl. II is evidently = note OF
warning to its friends that Richmond is to
be left to lis fate, and that they would do
we'll to make their preparations accord
iuRly. As Ihs SeAtinsI is the AdminissFa-
ton organ It's uttersnces carry more weight
than those of the E5Gniaey, which in vain
calls on the Government TO stand by the
National capital.
A great deal of causeless disquiet has
been created in our city BY come move
ments which are purely precautionary, but
which have been greatly misunderstood or
misrepresented We make this statement
on authority and by request, in order 70
relieve the minds of our people Of gratu-
itous anxieties. Nothing has been one
or contemplated but what an ordinary Pru-
dence epIoins, or with any purpose that
every citizen here would not approve an1
apDlaud. There is no foundation for the
stories on which some build panics, and
which others may embrace for the indul.
gence of preiudices.
With the opening of the campaign, and
in the immediate presence OF the TWO great
armies which are 70 wrestle for our city as
the prize, 1t is of course eminentIy proper
that Richmond should be put in her best
fighting trim; for she Is no unconcerned
spectator. If it will not shock come weak
nerves, We would, therefore, recommend
that all useless and non. combatsnt con-
SINNERS be urged TO leave US. that we may
defend the city to better advantage. There
is some strange fascination about point
of danger which attracts those who but
hinder operations. Let all such withdraw
-as for the rest; let us rub up our; guns
From the Examiner. sa
IHB SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF TIE H1B7L
1J- ..-t OAPITAL.l
In the extraordinary message which Ar.
Davis recently addressed TO Congress be
declared tnat off the campaign against
Richmond had resulted In success instead
of failure; if we had been compelled to
eyacuate Richmond as we'll as Atlanta, the
Confederacy would have renamed as erect
and defiant as ever. Nothing could have
been changed IN the purpose of its Govern
nent, in the indomitable Yalor of it's troops,
or 10 the unquenchable spirit Of it's people.
The baff1 ed and disappointed foe would in
vain have scanned the reports of your pro-
ceedings at some new legislative seat for
any indication that progress had been made
in his gigantic task of conquering free
people. There are no vital points, on the
of which the continued exis-
teuce of the Confederacy depends. There
is no military success Of the enemy which
cau accomplish it's destruction. Not the
fall Of Richmond, nor Wilmington, nor
Charleston, nor Savannah, nor Mobile, nor
of all combined, can affect the issue of the
present contest" %
In the African church, fortnight ago,
he reiterated these extraTagant PROPOSE
tions. Mr.. BeDiamin afterward took up
the theme on the same rostrum and spoke
of eVacuatipg this city with equal fiPpAncy.
Iuconsiderate persons and newspapers, we
observe with pain, repeat the same ideas Z,
IS if they positively desired the country to
be taught that the abandonment of this
vital position would not only be of no in
jury TO the ConfederacY, but of positive ad
vantage. ~.
Let not this fatal error be harbored till
it takaa rnnk in the innuaesinati0e- TIE
evacuation of Richmond would be the loss
of all respect md authority toward the
Confederate Government, the disintegra
lion of the army, and the abandonment of
the scheme of an independent Southern
Confederation. The war would, after that,
speedily degenerate into an irregular con-
test. in which passion would have more to
do than purpose; which would have NO
other object than the mere defense or pres
ent safety of those Immediately persistine
in it. The hope of establishing Confed-
eracYr ADD securing its recognition among
the nations would be gone forever. The
common sense of the country, the instinct
Of every man and woman in the land, con-
tradicts the idea that any possibility of an
independent South would remain after it's
capital was abandoned, its Government set
adrift, and it's army Withdrawn into the
solitudes Of the interior. ,fr
1t is idle to pretend that Richmond is OF
no more Importance than Savannah, Allan.
ia, Mobile or Norfolk, and that its tall
would not be fatal to the Confsderacy. II
it had not been vital point, why has go
much effort been expended for its reduc.
ton and its defense2 1t has been the great
objective point of the enemy through four
successive campaigns. The Confederacy
has spared no pains or exertiou, no cost Of
blood or treasure to make good its defense.
1t is the capital of the last of the border
States, commanding the entire portion of
Virginia east of the AlleghauieS, aud the
most important division OF North Carolina.
1t is situate l40 miles from the sea, yet
large ships can unload from its W6arves.
The occupation of Richmond iu strong
force by the enemy would necessarily drive
the Confederate armies out Of Virginia, and
render all eastern North Carolina untena.
BILE; aud, once gained by q, power having
command of the water, it could never, IN.
der any contingency, be recovered by the
Confederacy. /
Each contestant in the war has made
aiOhnond the central object of, all it's
plans and all its exertions. II has become
the symbol of the ConfederacY. It's loss
would be material ruin, to the cause, and,
in moral point Of view, absolutely de-
structive, crushing the heart and extiu.
gushing the last hope of the country Our
armies would loss the inceutiVe Inspired
BY great and worthy object of defense.
Oar military policy would be totally at sea:
We should be without hope OF. an object:
without civil or military organisation;
without treasury or scommissarist;W with.