Year: 1861

IL Will be well in the beginnings of the war
which Is just opening, for our people TO reflect
upon the situation Of affairs, and to be prepared
for reverses or successes, from day to day, as
the war progresses. We fear that in the enthu.
siasm attendant upon the preparations for the
war, and the patriotic ardor with which our brave
men have rallied in response to the call Of their
country, the character of the struggle has been
too often overlooked, and that the possibility of
occasional defeat, as well as of success, has not
sufficiently entered into our estimate of the iu-
ture. In war where the material Of the con-
tending armies is 40 very similar, and where
the same brave deeds which attend one party,
are quite sure also to be displayed by the other,
the victories cannot be all on one side, nor the
defeats confined to either of the combatants.


The war in which we are engaged is the most
important and formidable ever undertaken on
this Continent; and whether we consider the
number of troops employed, their character for
bravery and military ardor, or the issues to be
determided by the results, few of the European
wars have been equally important We must
bear in mind that this is not war Of Kings or
Emperors against rival Kings and Emperors,
but u struggle OF the people of one section Of
tho country, against the people Of another Sec
tion, in which each feels personal interest in
the result, and brings to the battle field all the
energy and personal proves which such spirit
Is fitted to inspire. In such controversy,
where the parties may be supposed to be equal
In courage and personal bravery, and where both
sides seem to be equally well supplied with ar
tilery and munitions of war, and commanded
by equally accomplished and skillful officers, IL
will indeed be a miracle if the fortunes of war
during the pendency OF the conflict, and parlic-
ularly in its earlier stages, do not alternate be-
tween them.


1t is the part Of wisdom to be prepared for
whatever may await us in this unhappy strug-
gle. Especially should VIC entertain the proba
bilities and prospects of severe losses in our
gallant army. Painful Gs ia the contemplation
of such q theme, its realities will be forced
upon us, whether we are prepared or unprepaF
ed. We have the utmost confidence in the
troops composing the Federal army, and we
think they are generally commanded by officers
of good judgment and courage. Doubtless
there are exceptions, as must unavoidably be
the case in collecting large army hastily from
volunteers, but the bravery and courage Of
American soldiers are proverbial, and they will
generally fight If fair chance is offered. But
they are to meet foes equally brave, and often,
by force of numbers, position, strategy or other
causes, must experience reverses and suffer
losses which will cause the hearts Of friends
and countrymen to bleed at every pore. Let
US anticipate anu Ue prOptTeu IOr Lueso lilDksI
and above all, do not let us complain, without
good cause, OF those, whether officers or COM
mon soldiers, who may not be able to secure
the laurels of victory in every encounter with
the enemy. Time settles and determines such
questions with great accuracy; and while we
manifest deep interest in every rumor and ev-
cry authenticated account of the battles, great
and small, which will occur from time to time,
it is well to caution the public against receiving
the opinions of sensation correspondents and
news agents as conclusive data, upon which to
form Judgment respecting the conduct of the
respective parties.


| The accounts already published of the affair
at Great Bethel, near Fortress Monroe, are such
as to cause pain to every heart. Ii is melan'
choly thus early to record the loss Of brave


men prompt in the discharge Of duty, but We


must accept it as part of the great drama to be


enacted OH American soil, and in which our own
citizens are to have so conspicuous part
There are lessons to be drawn from each cir
cumstance, however traing, connected with the
war. This last engagement, where quite a
number of our soldiers were killed and grea.-
er number wounded, proves what had been made
apparent in previous but less important engage.
ments. viz, that the enemy is strong in artille.
ry, and that his batteries are generally well
served, and quite effective. Unless the reports
of our officers are erroneous, almost every bat
terry of the enemy has more or less ritled can
non, of great power and range. Where the!e
were obtained is something of a mystery, but
their presence indicates the preparation which
has been made for this contest.-N. Y. JoRra.
Commerce.