If.
The Yankees have one unfailing ‘"base"’ to ‘"fall back"’ on in order to account for their uniform want of success in the ‘"on to Richmond."’ It is the short and comprehensive syllable ‘"if."’ if McDowell had joined his forces to McClellan's, the ‘"young Napoleon"’ would have captured Richmond, and if Burnsides pontoons had arrived in time he would have swept Lee from the heights around Fredericksburg with the besom of destruction.‘"If"’ is a very short, but a very important, word in human affairs. If Adam had not fallen, there would now be no war and no Yankees. E. Julius Cæsar had listened to the advice of his wife, the ungrateful steal of Bratus would not have found his heart. If Grouchy had come up to time at Waterice, or if Blucher had been behind time, England would not now be a first rate power. If the Abolitionists had not got possession of the Government of the United States, the Union would still be in existence. If the combinations of Generals could always be carried out to their satisfaction, there would be no necessity of an ‘"if"’ to vindicate their reputations. Even admitting that an ‘"if"’ can account for the past failings of McClellan & Co., what is to insure them against an ‘"if"’ with their future operations?
Does it ever occur to these sentry that if the Confederate agents had always carried out the obvious dictates of wisdom and common sense, the condition of the Federal would be worse than it is at present? If we had pushed on to Washington after the first battle of Mannoses, what would have prevented that Capital from falling into our hands, and Maryland from being redeemed? If the orders of Gen. Johnston had been carried out at the battle of the Seven Pines, what would have saved the whole Federal force from falling into our net? If the Merrimac had not been blown up what would have saved the Federal transports? If the orders of Gen. Lee had been strictly carried out in the battles around Richmond, not a man of McClellan's retreating army would ever have escaped. So we, too, have our ‘"Ifs" ’ which, if they had not happened, would more than balance all the ‘"ifs"’ which have brought grief to the Yankees.
We have no faith in any of the ‘"Ifs"’ by which they undertake to account for the failure of their Generals. But we are willing to concede the vast importance of the ‘ "If"’ and to concede that it may determine the fate of this contest. This is only to admit that the events of war like these of peace are all under the control of a Divine superintendence. In this, we are free to confess, is our greatest trust and confidence. When we look at the enormous odds against us, and the wonderful manner in which, over and over again, they have been made of no effect we are not only willing, bat anxious to repose our cause in the same band which has hitherto directed our affairs. If we continue humble and confiding and if we neglect no means of preparation which prudence and energy suggest, we have every reason to believe that our Future will be as brilliant as our Past.
