Year: 1862

From the Richmond whig of Friday.l


These are times to try mems souls. The oon.
sequences OF defensive policy, and of the
folly of transferring the war to the valley of
the Mississippi. where the enemy have their
best fighters, instead Of attacking them in
their central and most tender point-Pennsyl.
vania-by aggressive war, are now upon US
We have permitted them, without Interrupt
ton, to mature their programme of surround
ing and COMPRISING US, which was announced
mere than eight months ago. What our gov
eminent has done to meet the issue, besides
vrangling with popular generals and bidding
over petty jobs, the Lord only knows. Judg-
ing by results 30 far, it is the most lamentable
failure in history, and suggests to the reflect
ing mind that the most signal service which
that government can render to the country IS
tks surrender Of Ihs helm to ADLER and better
hands. In view Of the past, the present and
probable future, the pageant of tomorrow is
4 bitter mockery and a miserable compensa-
ton for the ruin Of free people. A child
with a bauble, an old man with a young wife,
are partial illustrations Of the deplorable folly


For eight msnths the people have been hop
ing and confding. Never enough can be said
Of the ardor, the edisinterestedness and devotion
Of the southern people, With one heart, they
have offered all they have for the common cause
the cause Of life, liberty and happiness; but
there has been no response from the authorities





popular heart. The dreary inaction Of the last
summer and autumn, the disease and WEAKNESS
Of camp life, and the wasting away of the finest
army ever assembled, were endured, if not
with patience, at least without any boisterous
complaint against the government. II conf.
dence was shaken, the hope still survived that
our rulers were laboring diligently, wisely and
effectively for our defence.


The result is before US Does patriotism
dictate, does it justify longer silence? Are we
privileged to fold our arms IN mute admiration
Of some reputed great man, while the country,
under his guidance, is going with railroad
speed to destruction There is no unkind
feeling in any quarter. that we are aware of,
towards Mr. Davis; so far from it, all the man.
ifestatiOns Of the last twelve months prove the
contrary. But the conviction Is general-out-
side Of official circles it may be said to be
universal-that no one man can perform all
the varied and difficult functions, civil and
military, Of this government. The mysterious
do-nothing policy, which has been attended
only with disaster, has substituted distrust and
apprehension for the hope and confidence
which previously prevailed. 1t is this loss of
confidence which presents the most gloomy
phase to our cause. The men and the policy
that have without necessity involved US in our
present troubles, are they on whom We have
to rely for extrication. Confidence can only
be regained, and our deliverance achieved by
change OF men or change Of policy.


The crisis is too serious to mince words
Perhaps we all have committed an error, and
have contributed to delude the AdminIstra ton
by holding cur tongues, or only indulging the
honeyed accents Of praise. The disposition
has been great among all classes to look on the
bright side Of every ything-to gloze over what
We did not approve, and hope for the best from
what We did not understand. But such disas-
ters as those Of Roanoke Island and the Ten
0nA har nd
and appalling evidences Of ineficiency that all
confidence must be lost without some assurance
Of an altered and more vigorous policy.


Great and criminal as may have been official
remissness during the last eight months while
the enemy were actively preparing to invade
rs, our cause is not desperate if we can have
oounsels and energetic action. With a free
and brave people, ready to peril fortune and
life for the maintenance Of their liberties no.
thing is wanting but competent leaders-men
of wire heads and big hearts, worthy Of this
great movement, to conduct them to victory.