What next?
We are not in the secrets of the
Yankee Government, and cannot, of course, know what they mean to do, yet a great deal may be inferred from the tone of their newspapers.
We think it is pretty evident that they mean to exert their whole strength, and stake the issue of the war upon the capture of
Richmond.
For this purpose they will not only concentrate all the forces they now have in existence, but will raise as many more as they possibly can.
Lincoln has already called for 300,000 recruits.
Whether he will get them or not, is one thing.
Whether we ought to act as though he had already obtained there, is another.
It is our opinion that we decidedly ought so to act.
McClellan, we are disposed to think, has by no means relinquished his designs upon this city.
He expects to be reinforced in his present position by
Halleck's army, by all the troops he can bring from
North and
South Carolina, and from
Georgia, and possibly
Florida, in addition to the recruits already mentioned.
This, at least, is our view of the case, although we confess we have no
date upon which the opinion is founded.
It seems to us that it would be the part of wisdom to act precisely as though he led already succeeded in assembling all these troops.
We have no doubt of our power to resist him successfully, let him bring what forces he may. But our eyes should not be closed for a moment to the momentous character of the struggle which is about to be renewed around this capital.
Doubtless our military authorities have carefully scrutinized all the chances of the conflict and are fully prepared for all its eventualities.
Gen. Lee, besides being a great General in the field, is by universal consent, acknowledged to be the best organizer of the day. We have full confidence in his capacity to prepare the means of resistance, and to use them when once prepared.
