Staunton Spectator

The Clarksville Chronicle, published in Tennessee, says that it seems to be a difficult matter for the people of the South to realize the heavy responsibilities which the war imposes upon them, and the absolute necessity for providing an abundance of those things that are indispensable for our support during its continuance. It can avail them but little to make large crops of cotton and tobacco with no market for either, and even if they could sell all they could raise, it could advance but little the cause of the South in the absence of an ample supply of meat and bread. These we can obtain from no quarter if we fail to raise them, and he is a true patriot who will enlarge his corn and wheat fields, and multiply his hogs, sheep and cattle, with an eye to the necessities of his country. No one can foresee the duration of the war, but any one can foresee the dire influence of a scarcity of food upon our ability to prosecute it; and to avert such a calamity, every tiller of the soil should make the amplest arrangements in his power to guard against it--taking into consideration, too, the probability of an unfavorable season. And whilst the farmer is doing this, his wife and daughters should set in motion loom and spinning wheel, remembering that every thread they spin and every yard they weave is a contribution to Southern liberty and independence. The soldier who hazards his life on the battle field and his health in the camp, looks to those at home to supply his wants, and none but the unfeeling speculator can turn a deaf ear to the voice of humanity appealing for food and raiment for our country's brave defenders. To the women, this appeal is never made in vain, and we trust they will labor unceasingly to infuse into the hearts of men a portion, at least, of their own noble spirit and self-sacrificing devotion. It is a sad commentary upon the character of some Southern men that such an appeal should be needed; but the indifference of some, the thoughtlessness of others, and the selfish rapacity of not a few, constantly remind us that all are not patriots who profess to be Southern in feeling, and all are not to be trusted who are loudest in their expressions of devotion to a cause which they appreciate only to the extent that it can be made to fill their pockets. It is to be hoped, however, that there are enough of the right sort who will look beyond self to country, and the present to a future that will repay every sacrifice in behalf of national honor and independence.

The Cincinnati Enquirer of the 27th ult., has the following:

The New York Times, in its issue of Monday, tells us that an early advance from the Potomac, by Gen. McClellan, is now highly probably. It learns that our army is now complete in all its parts--in number, infantry, artillery, cavalry, in discipline, and in its commissariat--all is in perfect order, and is now ready for active and efficient offensive operations.

We are pleased to learn that such is the condition of the Federal Army, and that there is a prospect of an early advance by it from the Potomac. Indeed, it can no longer afford to be on the defensive. The continuance of its present attitude would be as injurious to our Government, with foreign Powers, as a defeat would be. The United States and Confederate States stand before the world in very different attitudes. It is for the former to show that it has power to put down the rebellion within a reasonable time. It is for the Confederate States to demonstrate that they can sustain themselves. It is not necessary for them to show that they can conquer the North, but to show that they can prevent us from conquering them. This last they can do as effectually by maintaining their position on the Potomac as by an advance.

The Confederate States, by maintaining their position on the Potomac, demonstrate that they are a power with ability to preserve itself. That is all they need to show to command, according to the acknowledged and universal law on the subject, the recognition of their independence by civilized nations, which is what they are at present striving to obtain. But when, besides showing their ability to maintain themselves, they flaunt their flags within sight of the Federal Capital, erect their batteries within cannon shot of the President's mansion, and daily invite an attack by provocation, menace and insult, foreign powers cannot but regard them as of equal force with the United States and equally as capable of maintaining their independence.

We consider, therefore, that our character, as the superior power, is sullied by allowing the Confederate forces to occupy any longer their position near Washington. We rejoice to hear that Gen. McClellan is now ready, that his army is just as he desires it to be in all its departments, and that he is prepared to act upon the offensive instead of the defensive. We do not want him to move before he [is] ready; but move he must, before long, if he expects to uphold the credit of the Government with foreign nations. It will not do to allow the Confederates any longer to threaten Washington under its very walls, and defy our army to move from their entrenchments. The Confederates accomplish their whole purpose by keeping their position, we lose our prestige and character by not being able to move forward. As everything is now ready, we expect to see Beauregard driven, at least, from the neighborhood of Washington.