Year: 1863

hc EXpcOltlOn Oh UeneTal naDk9.


A good deal of disappointment is expressed,
now that it appears certain that Gen. Banks
expedition does not land in Virginia or North
Carolina. Although there was no authority for
the belief that the expedition would form part
of a combined operation against Richmond,
this belief had nevertheless obtained very gen.
eral currency. 1t would certainly have been
particularly pleasant, at any time within the
last week, to have heard of the landing of the
considerable and we'll appointed body of troops
which General B. has with him at any point
of approach towards Richmond. Without con-
sidering that there was no ground for expecting
this agreeable piece of news, disappointment Is
freely expressed, when it is found that the des
tination Of the expedition lie very different


We must not forget however, that it is by
no means proved as yet that Gen. Banks expe-
dition is embarked on bootless errand. The
public is not possessed of the means of judging
of the nature of the emergency which may have
called him to the Southwest. 1t is not at all
unlikely to prove that his presence there, with
a considerable force, is exactly the right thing
The eagerness of public desire that Richmond
should fall, has partially blinded our eyes to the
Importance OF protecting the Government in
other points. We do not suppose that General
Banks has been sent all the way to Texas mere-





of the Conterates in that part of the country.
His presence there doubtless has graver sig
nifcence.


There are grounds for believing that the un-
protected state of our Southwestern frontier
may prove tempting bait to the French army
in Mexico. 1t is certain that the rebels have
made very confident calculations upon receiving
assistance of this sort. The allegation that the
French have some sort of natural right in Louis
lana, by virtue of their original settlements
there, gives a sort of plausibility to this sort of
scheming The fact is palpable that the Empe
ror has committed himself to doing something
upon the American continent that he has a
considerable army in Mexico, and can augment
it without exciting particular attention. But
whether he really has any idea of turning his
forces towards the Uuited States, is OF course
more than we can say.


1t is plain enough, however, that there may
be good reasons in the possession of the Govern
ment why it is desirable that we should have a
strong force at the Southwest. Gen. Banks is
not man likely to take principal part in any
farcical displays of power. The mere circum-
stances that he goes anywhere, with large body
of troops, is an indication that such force lie
needed in that place. And it may very likely
happen that We shall hear that his presence has
proved of the utmost consequence in averting
dangers of no mean significance #I


1t must be remembered, likewise, by those who
are inclined just now to criticise the dispersion
of our forces, that there is no evidence whatever
that Gen. Burnside has suffered in any way for
the want of troops, or that his army even now,
after the late distressing losses, is not still ample
in point of numbers to carry out any plans that
may be made for the prosecution of the Virginia
campaign. We may admit that the reduction of
Richmond is point of the first importance, and
may wish to see all the chief efforts of the Gov
ernment brought to bear upon this point; and
yet it would be difficult to prove, upon any evi-
dence yet presented, that anything has been lost
in that direction from the want Of sufficient force
or that the Government would be warranted in
neglectng other parts, even the most distant, Of
our territory.