The Ninth "On to Richmond."
The Federalists are essaying their ninth "on to
Richmond." They have had three by the way of the Piedmont, viz: One under
McDowell, the
first Manassas; one under
McClellan, when he captured the wooden guns at
Manassas, and fled back to
Washington affrighted at the mysterious disappearance of the
Confederates under
Johnston, who he apprehended might as mysteriously appear again and catch him floundering in the mud; and use (last of the three) under
Pope.
They have had two by way of the
Peninsula — the first under the Beast, and the second under
McClellan.
One via the river, cut short at
Drewry's Bluff, and two via
Fredericksburg, the first under
Burnside and the second under
Hooker, the
Northern Bombastes.
So here are eight "one to
Richmond." Now
General Keyes proposes the Ninth, and our citizens are entertained by the daily rumors and dispatches by couriers, announcing the whereabouts and doings of the body or bodies of Yankees whom it is designed to sacrifice or subject to the terrors of the oft-repeated disastrous repulses.
There is no rational mode of accounting for these continued and hopeless attempts upon this city.
Man is after all not a reasoning animal.
He absolutely finds a charm in attempting hopeless enterprises.
There could be nothing more desperate and impracticable than an attempt to beat that formidable and invincible power known as the "tiger." Yet thousands of men rush impetuously every night in the year into his very jaws — which are the laws of death.
There is neither reason nor sense in this, but a fascination in defeat, is disaster, in the unmitigated fate of being torn in pieces and chewed up that is irresistible!
This seeming fatality seems to impel the
Yankees towards
Richmond.
There is no other way of accounting for it.
In the present instance, however, there is, besides the irresistible fascination of the On to
Richmond, a trace of "method." The desire to occasion a diversion in
General Lee's campaign is an incident of the
Yankee commander's programme.
In this he will be disappointed.
He must play out his game of "On to
Richmond," and be content with the fate of his illustrious predecessors.
Gen. Lee will not after his plans a jot or tittle.
The feeling in this city is as it always has been — calm and determined.
The citizens of
Richmond have been too long familiar with the threatening demonstrations of the
Yankees to be alarmed at them.
They had rather any day see their city in ashes than in the possession of the
Yankees; but they do not believe that it ever will be in their hands.
It has been defended
eight times by the Confederate army, to which
Richmond has furnished her full quota, and if there were not troops enough to meet the ninth assault there are non- conscripts enough to take the field and aid them in again driving away the hordes that seek to gratify their fiendish malignity by the pillaging of this city and the persecution of her citizens.
No community ever displayed a more loyal or determined spirit.
They rely implicitly upon the indomitable courage of the
Confederate troops, and, if need be, are ready to enter the breach with them and bull back the ruthless invader from their walls.
