Eleven months.
The Chicago
Tribune says:--
‘
"We are able to announce, on unquestionable authority, that
Gen. Scott has so far matured the plans for the war as to inform the
President and the
Cabinet that the last Secession flag shall be torn down, the authority of the
American Government reinstated on every foot of American soil, and
Jeff. Davis hung or driven out of the country, within eleven months from the day when
Fort Sumter was surrendered.
About the 4th of March next, he will hand over the
Union, safe and sound, to its constituted and constitutional authorities.
Old Lundy's Lane takes his time to map out the campaign and put his forces in the best fighting trim, and then he always wins at the precise day when he agrees to. He has taken the contract to wind up the disunion disturbances within eleven months from the 15th of April, and he will do it.
‘"We understand that it is a part of
Gen.,
Scott's plan to occupy
Virginia and
Tennessee completely on or before the 20th of July. Sixth-five thousand Northwestern troops will move down the
Mississippi as far as
Memphis, under the command of
Gens. Fremont and
McClellen, and remain in camp until the sickly season is past, when they will move on towards the Balize, there meeting the conquering army of the
East and celebrating
Washington's birthday in New Orleans."’
’
So! Old Lundy's Lane ‘"always wins at the precise day when he agrees to."’ He agreed to be in
Richmond at farthest, by the 20th of June; that time has come and gone, and the old braggart is not as near the possibility of such an achievement as he was six weeks ago. He will drive
Jeff Davis out of the country, or hang him — will he?--the demented, demoralized old gasconader!
More likely
Jeff Davis will drive him out of
Washington, and
Virginia, instead of hanging the hoary traitor, who is trying to sell his native land for the annual income of his
Lieutenant Generalship, will leave him to splutter out his life, like a tallow candle, in his own grease and noisomeness.
What bloated assurance except that of
Scott, what blind credulity except that of the
Northern press, could believe that such a country can ever be conquered; more than all, conquered in eleven months, and that ‘"about the 4th of March next
Scott will hand over the
Union, safe and sound, to its constituted and constitutional authorities."’ The announcement of such a preposterous programme is of itself proof that the man who makes it is an imposter or an imbecile.