The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-03
SHERMAN'S MARCH.
--latest Reports from the Rebel
Press.
The Enquirer of Wednesday, the 22d,
has the following editorial:

has the IOuOWlnS eOlUOrlai:
The progress of Sherman through South
Carolina almost unopposed, the fall OF Comm
bia without the slightest resistance, the SWIFT:
ness of the enemy's movements and apparent
outgeneraling of the Confederate commanders,
have caused very serious apprehensions on the
part of the public as to the military condition
in that State What his purpose and plan are,
Beauregard has not permitted to leak out His
prompt but unexpected evacuation of Colum-
bia may indicate very great weakness, or 1t
may be part of deep strategy which will give
back all that was lost. 1t Is Impossible 1or our
people to be advised of military plans, or for
Them to receive explanations of military move
ments, without the enemy being equally adj
yised. We must therefore leave in the hands
of commanders the management OF the cam.
paign. and never make ourselves unhappy
about that which, if advised Of we could not
help, and which, though We cannot under
derstand, may yet be the best thing for our
cause. Rumors can no more be stopped from
circulation than sparks from going upwards.
There may be some truth in every rumor, but
it is hardly probable that a 1.-THE of what you
hear has any foundation in fact. They start
nobody knows where or how, but every one
helps them on with more or less of amplifca-
ton, until, like the snow ball, what was once
easily handled, and even cast from one to an
other, has, by continual accretion, grown to
of the whole community TO stand up under it.
By one man Beauregard Is reported to have
gone crazy, his mind very much the worse for
war, his body dragged down by his great exeI-
ton; by another, he has asked to be relieved;
by third, Sherman is between Beauregard
and Charlotte; and by another, the devil is to
pay generally and the contederacy is gone up.
Put not your faith in rumor, and don't permit
yourselves to be very much frightened. The
capital of every State in the cOnfederacy, eX-
cept of Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and
Texas, has at some time been in ths enemys
possession. Our cause is not in house built
by mems hands, but In temples built by God
Himselt-the hearts of the confederate soldiers
and people. Should the whole seaboard be
been guarding the cities concentrated, our
armies will be strengthened, while that OF
the enemy will be weakened by the garri-
SONS required to hold the places we have
evacuated. The fall of Richmond itself,
apart from the moral question involved in the
fact that it has been the great objective point
for four years, and also the fact that in it are
the principal workshops of the confederacy,
would not involve the failure of our cause.
Shermans march through Georgia did not in
the least injure our cause. On the contrary,
by bringing the people of that State into ac-
tual contact with the enemy, and causing
them to experience the treatment in store for
them, his march actually benefited our cause
by healing dissentiQps and teaching the les
son that in union and harmony only was there
any hope for this people. That march onor-
Ous the State returned to our cause, and has
since given every aid possible to our army.
South Carolina is now experiencing the same
treatment that has visited SO many portions of
the State of Virginia, and which has always
made the people of this State more deter
mined and resolute never to give up the
contest without liberty and independence.
That portion of the State of Virginia now
most indisposed to treat with the enemy is
the harried burned district Of the valley. They
have lost all but their unconquerable spirit,
they will not consent that their liberty shall
be sacrificed for slavery in other parts or the
country. Sherman cannot stop. He must
keep moving, and as he passes over the coun-
try, it returns to its allegiance, more defiant
and determined than ever. He may destroy
houses and railroads along his line of march,
and infict much suffering upon individuals,
but he gains permanently no territory, and re-.
tains no hold upon the affections of the peo.
pie. They suffer, but return to their friends
more determined for the contest than before
He may march through South Carolina to
Charlotte or to Wilmington, but he conquers
nothing-he holds nothing. His expeditions
are destructive, but not subjugating. The first
mistake made, the first check becomes q de-
feat, rout, and will prove the destruction of
his army. 1t is not SO as it was in his march
through Georgia. Then cavalry only harrassed
his march now an army is before him, which,
at the proper time, will be found in his path,
we believe will successfully dispute his march. "