Year: 1862

THE RATTLE OF KICHmoND.


There were good reasons for JEFF Davis
to assure the fearful and quaking people Of
Virginia, that he had no intention to with
draw bis forces beyond her borders; and
that he could hold on in her sheltered val
leys, and behind the rugged ramparts OF
her mountains, and keep up the Tar for
twenty years. Because Davis asserted this |
to be the purpose Of the Confederate Rulers,
it is true, is no proof that they were not, at
the very tine Of his assurance, stealthily
making all things ready to depart as soon
as possible with all their forces, and leave
tie proud mother Of States to her just doom;
but there are some facts and considerations |
which compel the secession leaders to |
struggle to the last for the possession Of |
their hold on Virginia; and it is most prob |
able that they have determined to stake
their all On the result Of the conflict at
Richmond. The cause Of the Confederacy
has been losing very rapidly during the
last few months tile confidence Of foreign
nations. The long series Of reverses and
defeats which have followed their arms
from Fort Henry till now, have taught their
friends abroad that the rebel forces are
either lacking in soldlerly qualities, disci-
p1ine OF arms, or else they are badly Off
ccred and commanded; or perhaps they
are made tc fight in . cause for which they
have no heart Whichever explanation
may be taken, it is getting to be admitted
by all foreign judges that the Confederate
forces are no match for the Army Of the
Tnion and unless something extraordinary
should occur, some exhibition Of martial
spirit or military genius and skill far SUI
passing anything hitherto displayed by
them the conviction that their cause IS
utterly hopeless will soon be admitted all
over Europe. To abandon their capital
now, and be driven out of Virginia before
the advancing forces Of the Union, would
be SO plain and startling an announcement
Of weakness and defeat that thcir best
friends abroad would lose all faith in their
cause.


The loss Of prestige and the confession Of
fccbleness which such step carries with
H., NOulA LIZ iO 4NaS pC444AAtUo aAA III pal
able at homc The rebels cannot quit Vir-
einia NOW, without quitting it forever; and
tie men Ct Virginia who form much the
largest part Of the secession forces, will mol
leave their native State, and giving up al
they have, retreat South to fight for the in
independence OF the Cotton States. It i
well known, and doubtless admitted by tn
loading rohn1s that re1foaeraey n'rne'
of the Cotton States alone, or Of them viii
other States, without Virginia, would no
Stand. In all their plans Virginia has bee
considered an essential and indispensable
portion ct the structure Of the secession
black arch, she is the necessary key-stone
aud they all feel that without her, til
whole fabric would fall into heap {
ruins Hence the struggle for the posse:
sion Of Virginia is with them life an
death struggle; and whatever of courag
or fierceness, or endurance can be found /
their ranks; whatever Of ardof OF yalt
mpy be inspired by the hope Of the nef
triumph Of their cause, or whatever
grim defiance or desperate fighting frol
LAC It'll ~ AIiC4 AA4n3 A41a5 w ioohEA AoA
the stupcndous conflict which will sos
take place near Richmond


As one looks back over the long scroll
human history and secs the many red spo
marking the great battles Of the worl
and seans closely their causes, or follo7
down the long train Of their vast resu
for good or for evil to the whole hum
race, there can NO enc be pointed out,
which the consequences seem so tremt
dous as those that are suspended on I
battle Of Richmond. 1t is not too mu
to say that all that is highest and best
civilization; au the richest fruits Of


1gious culture and human progress;


the ftirest growth Of the past and all I
highest hopes Of the future for manki
arc SO far as we eau see hanging on
issue Of that struggle. If the rebel banl
shall he borne in triumph over the fie
the hope Of freedom will droop, and j
tice, humanity, and religion seem smit


down, and overwhelmed with disaster


which VIC canD4t doubt, the blessed ca
Of the Union and Liberty, one and iascI
able, shall be victorious, We shall from t


moment enter upon . higher path Of f
gress and greatness, than our own or !:


oI1er country has ever before known.