Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-06
For the Standard.
Fort MoULrRIE, Dec. Is, 1864.

Fort MoULTRIE, Dec Is, 1864.
Well, the "grand raid has finally eliminated,
and we are informed flor the most part through
Yankee channels OF communication,) that Sherman
has penetrated through the sovereign State of Geor
ga, unto the sescoast almost without molesta-
tion certainly withouta general engagement unless
it were strictly Of his own chooSingl What does
this gratifying (?) fact demonstrate That the ora.
cleS at Richmond are endowed with wonderful pow
ers of presciencel That they are indeed eminently
talented and by all means amply qualified to rule
the destines Of this young Confederacy even under
the critical emergencies OF the bourr How unctu-
and hatterng too is the assertion that Fort Nc.
Alister was "amply prepared to take of itself
and uphold the honor of the to the last terri
bic extremity :" and behold ! the next telegram
brings the astounding intelligence of its fall Not
that Fort McAlister was of the least intrinsic value
to usl No place Is-after it falls into Yankee
hsndsl And presume if Savannah was to surren-
der to the victorious Sherman to- morrow, we would
be complacently Informed that, in a strategic point
OF view Savannah had never been considered by our
military SaCGHs as of the least proxmate or remote
Importance to the cause of Southern independence.
am by no means disposed to place priceless value
upon Shermans late unexpected change of base
In effect, am somewhat inclined to the belief that
he was indeed much more adVantageously posted
at Atlanta, when his communications renamed still
intact, than now with his new base upon the bread
Atlantic. Only it furnishes the North with some
what reasonable ground for another grand jubilee
the people will be informed that the rebellion is on
its last legs-can easily be subdued by another vi
gorous campaign-with fair show of plausibilty,
IN fact for have not the victorious legions of Yam
keedom marched unmolested through the iUes: ag-
rcultural region of the South; the most thickly
populated; and one which has furnished the rebel
honwith some of the best and bravest troops? And
Aoram, how hippantly be assures his dear eonstl-
tuents that the war be carried on indefinitely.
onp ,pk l1a L. H. poor ntn a
of those myriad cold and CHASTITY forms which are
now slumberng the eternal sleep beneath the blood
stained sod which they have rendered sacred with
their blood. Does any one hatter his heart with
the Eain hope that this demoniac war wakes to-
ward its termination? What progress has been
made toward our subjugation during four years of
relentless, mercless bloodshed four fearful cycles
OF horror, devastation, misery and woe? Or, again,
where or at what point have we effectually beaten
back those azure Vandal hosts by decisive victory
Where damped their Infatuated ardor by crushing
aDnihilatng defeat? Do we not stand mutually
confronting each other now as at the beginning,
burning intensely with the fierce lust OF revenge
the demoniac passion Of vindictve hate still more
bitterly excitedP How silly, how absurd, how
preposerous, how ridiculous to hope that this terri
BILE carnage can be stayed by the reckless effusion
of human blood? Have We statesmen, dlplomatists,
talented, earnest sincere Christians who are capa-
BILE by the mere force of reason to still the fierce
tempest and stay the sckening tragedy ere its ter.
ribre pail cover US Unfortunately with the huge
shadow of utter ruin and ignominyP Is there no
man through the length and breadth of this God
favored land to turn aside the helish march of this
hendish Juggernaut and give us, once free and
happy people that earnestly desired boon an honor
able peacer
Alas that Clay, Webster, a Jackson, or an
immortal Washington is not happily permitted to
assume the front Of true and inspired leadership and
pilot US safely at length to haven of rest When