Year: 1861

From The London NcD, MAY 30


1t is very proper prudence which restTtns speakers
and writers both sides the Atlantic from answering
the question, What next in regard TO the war and
its prospects, We glad 20 zee that the disnclna-
tion to propbesy is on the increase; and that the
Northern newspapers and letter-wTiteu to be on
their guard against the folly Of disparaging their
my. They have b warning by what they resd in
Southern IepOrts of the mischief and danger Of brag
of their prowess and ignorant contempt Of
tried antagonist We at this distance, only wait
to what happens. But there Is no reason why we
should not and every reason why we should, gather
together such facts within our knowledge bea


ing upon the present conditions Of the struggle in
der to obtain some idea Of how matters likely 10
90. While awaiting news of the first clash Of arms
or other kind Of ex plot, may review the leading
considerations of the case.


The main considerations seem 10 us TO be four. The


first in importance is the question of the strength Of
the Union party i'll the Slave States. The Washington
Cabinet declares from its special sources Of nforma
tOn that the Union party is strong n every region Of
the South. The Montgomery leaders insist that the
whole South is united man in favor Of Secession
Newspapers tell u.s. on the one hand, that the whole
South is chaos OF factions and the other, that 1t
s scene of perfect fraternity. We learn nothing
by authority hearsay, it is clear. But there
now facts TO Judge by. Thus far, in every State in
which opinion could express itself, the Union party
has proved strong TO neutraze the action Of the
Secessonist authorities. In Texas, in Missouri in
Kentucky, in Virginia, and in Maryland, and now
in Louisiana, there Is enough loyalty TO the Wash
ington Government to cause virtual split in each
State, resembling IDhl OF tne htpuDIC Hsell. II,
in every case in which opinion can declare itself,
there is strong opposition TO Secession 1t Is reasona
BILE to suppose that the thing will appear In the
other States as they can get leave TO speak;
and at all events perceive 1t IL not true that the de-
sire for Secession is universal. All the gentry who
have effected their escape from the plantations bear
testimony to the forcbe repression Of opinion by the
dominant faction they call IT. in their respective
neghborhoods and in fact no doubt remains OF there
being strong antagonsm of parties In the Slave States


"a Circumstance important in the highest degree to the
prospects of the war. If Virginia, Kentucky, and
Missouri are divided between allegiance and Secession,
the probability is that other Slave States are also d.
yided. At sfl events, while opinion is not free the
Montgomery Government cannot be entitled to affirm
that they are not. e., ,,


In the second place, is known with clearness and
certainty that there serious deficiency OF 1000 in
the Slave States For many years 1t has ceased 10 De
true that the South exceled the North in agricultural
production-even including cotton and tobacco IN the
estimate and of late the cereal growth OF the West
ern Free States has increased prodigously, while, In
the South great expanses Of corn land have been given
cotton growing though food was brought down
from the Northwest. Northern food pro0oets have
FOR years been on sale in every Southern Market
AT present there severe scsrcity-amounng In some
places TO famne-n Missssipp; and we have seen be,
lore what efforts have been made 10 OBTAIN gram ana