Year: 1864

The Progress Of . Yssr-yyili the Gov
ernEseat End the Wavf


As the year comes around aud we are able
| to draw tie distinct line between where our
armies are now and where they were last
December, the obvious progress that has been
made under the Lieutenant General furnishes
the most triumphant answer to the copper
heads who disparage all our efforts, and ask
with their sinister sneer, what has General
Grant done: Last year. by the battle Of Chan
cellorsvile, ke Army of the Potomac was
pushed out 6f Lees way. Lee advanced into
Pennsylvania, aud was in turn beaten at Gettys
burg, but was suffered to escape, and the
Army OF the Potomac followed him to a point
only 30 far south as 1t had lain when it first
moved In May--and there it wintered, as il it
were veteran bird of passage. This year 1t
has not been pushed out of any ones way, but
has followed Lee steadily to the James, and
will winter on that river. Hitherto the armies
have passed the winter half way between the
two captals--or otherwise on our side Of tho
line Now for the first time our army lies per-
manently before the rebel capital. Always
until now the Shenandoah valley has been
piece of rebel property. Now it is ours. In
the West cur progress had been better; but
even there we held only Chattanooga, and q
large rebel army kept its foothold in East
Tennessee. In East Tennessee there Is now
nominally rebel force--just enough to swear
by-while our forces have been pushed for
ward from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Macon,
Milledgeville, Augusta, and to the very gates
Of Savannah That is to say we have taken all
that the rebel army was placed to protect. 1t is
Of little importance that Hood is in Tennessee.
Hoods presence there is very aptly de-
scribed by one of the Richmond papers. He is
on "a skylarking expedition" aud the further
he goes north with it the better. Indeed, if he
marches his army right on until he gets to John
sons Island he will save our government the
transportation Of his men, and that is all he
can do.


Grant and Sherman have thus done more in
one year than ali our other generals together
did in three, and now, as the year closes, they
present to Ills military situation full of pro-
mise 1t will be very bad use Tor our govern
ment to make of this situation if it shall sit
down and be satisfied with it. 1t is one that
should stimulate to greater effort. It shows us
that now affairs are in such condition that
every blow will tell. Therefore give every blow
that we have the means to. 1t is the last ounce
that turns the balance, and now is the time for
the last ounce. Out with it-pile it on and let
the rebellion kick the beam and be done with
Let us rot enter upon another year with any
doubt as to whether the war will be over when
that year closes. We have the means to end
the war, and the government will be recreant
to its trust il it hesitates in the use of any ne
cessary means. II our armies are not now
twice as strong as the rebel armies are, make
them so. And il twice as strong will not do it
make them as much stronger still as is neces-
sary. Carte blanche as to means has been
given to the government. All that the people
require is, that the administration shall put
down tho rebellion and give the country peace.
Shall it be done or shall four years more be
tSSt IN sSs admins must now
give prac tical answer.


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