12 Ibrrn, if they propose to cure this rebellion by the free use of rose-water, then let them say that. Let them speak out plainly, so that plain people can understand them. The man who fails to do this, can never receive my vote. As a voter, I am not to be hoodwinked by any studied strategy in the use of words. THE MILITARY SITUATION. Having thus canvassed the moral question, I come now to inquire into our military situation. Where are we, and what* are our prospects for the future ? Some tell us, that nothing has been gained, that no progress has been made towards the end, that the war on the part of the Government is a " failure," and hence that any farther prosecution thereof is useless. Such people are of course in favor of peace on the best terms they can get. Is this a true view of the facts past and present ? Let us see. Bear in mind, that all o-reat wars must of necessity be somewhat slow in their character. With half a million of men on each side, they cannot be closed up in a day, a week, or a year ; one battle does not settle the question ; and especially is this true, where, as in our own case, the theatre of war is very large, and the coml|p-tants are men of the same race and the same metal, and have the same style of military training. Overlooking this view, the public enthusiasm is very apt to demand military impossibilities ; and when failing to gain them, just as apt to sink into the state of discouragement. This, to some extent has been the infirmity of the American people ; and it has given to those who oppose the war, or who for party purposes oppose the Administration, the needed opportunity to pronounce the war a "failure,'' and create dissatisfaction with the executive and military authorities of the land. Remember too, that the war on the part of the Government, \vhile defensive in its moral design, has of necessity been one of in/vasioti in a military point of view. The Federal troops have been compelled to invade the territory of the rebellion, to meet the foe in intrenched positions, and encounter all the perils of lighting in an enemy's country. True, this has carried the chief desolations of war to Southern soil ; yet considered in a military
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