Suggestion Favoring a forward movement.
But it does seem to us that the time has come for aggressive measures on the part of our army. It is perfectly evident that MeClellan does not contemplate another immediate attack on our forces. The sad fate of Hatteras marks out the programme of his winter campaign, and nothing but prompt and decisive action on the part of our army in Virginia will turn the tide of war from our almost defenceless coast. Beard the lion in his den, and the cubs that roam the forest for small game will return to their parent den. The limbs and branches cannot flourish when the trunk is in danger — all must suffer a common fate. The many signal victories of our army have inspired us with great confidence in its ability to bear off the palm of victory from every contested field. We believe it can drive the enemy from Arlington Heights, and from Washington, and march a victorious column to Philadelphia. It is plain, to our mind, that nothing can be accomplished by feeding a hundred thousand soldiers in sight of Washington city.
The respective commanders remind us very much of an incident related of Marius and Silo. The former had his army posted in a strong entrenchment, while Silo draws his army up in battle array, and sends the following dispatch to Marius: ‘"If you are a great General, Marius, come down and fight us;"’ whereupon Marius responded: ‘"If you are a great General, Silo, make me come down and fight you."’ The Yankees have had one taste of Southern prowess in arms, and they have no idea of risking another engagement in open field. It is quite enough for them to blockade our ports, and harass our line of coast and unprotected frontier. If they can do this successfully, they will leave to the operation of time and tide the destiny of the South. Pyrrhus sent a challenge to Antigmas to come and fight him for the kingdom, and received the following reply: ‘"Time is the weapon I use as much as the sword, and if Pyrrhus is weary of his life there are many ways to end it."’ So it is with Lincoln, and so he treats our challenges to fight. He sees that delay will strengthen him and weaken us, and he will not hazard defeat by hasty action. This is good policy for Lincoln, but bad for us. We have a powerful army, well equipped in all its appointments and flushed with the prestige of recent victory. Our soldiery are nervous and impatient to put the enemy to a second and a greater rout, and we are sure that it must come to that sooner or later. We cannot keep a large army in action in Virginia while a powerful war fleet is laying our coast in ruins. We await with anxiety the development of the true policy chalked out for our army, and hope speedy action will give indications of the programme. More anon.
Bannockburn.
