2

The New Invasion.

The rebel army under Lee is now somewhere in Pennsylvania, marching as rapidly as possible on Chambersburg and Harrisburg. The object is, of course, plunder, there being no expectation that those places can be held and at the same time the Confederate cause be maintained at home. When the ragmuffins are rated with plunder, and have "slashed about" sufficiently in the Free States to maintain their reputation for dare-devil recklessness, and to secure the applause of the Fernando Wood Copperheads, they will hurry back into Virginia again — if allowed to do so.

What the result of this raid will be no man can foresee. It is a bold and dangerous step, and ought to secure the annihilation of Lee's army, and with it the complete overthrow of the rebel cause. Hooker has an army now somewhere in Lee's rear or flank, which ought to be larger than that of the rebel chief, while a hundred thousand volunteers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and New York, are hastening to meet it face to face. The rebels have doubtless brought forward all the men they can muster for this great enterprise, and can probably interpose but little opposition to a march direct on Richmond. But they calculate that an "On to Richmond" movement will not be attempted, and, we presume, rightly. We have not the men to spare to send an army to Richmond, and to leave Lee at liberty to make his way to Philadelphia or New York. We have men enough, but they are not organized, and the Administration did not see proper earlier to call into service a force sufficient to crush the traitors. Besides, with Gen. Halleck to do the "strategy" part of the campaign, to command and countermand, and forced to consult his own book while the rebels are demolishing Union cities, and our armies are waiting for orders, the prospect is not briliant that the rebel army will be "bagged" this week. Hooker will see to it that the Lee will not escape if he has McClellan's chance for destroying him; but he may not have such a chance.

This new raid may be but the precursor to new humiliations and sacrifices, which the the country is yet to feel before this war is ended as Union men would have it end. — From the tone of the infidel Copperhead press and its corrupt allies, it is evident that something is yet needed before they are made to realize their God defying crimes in the past, and before even the country as a country, exhibits that repentance and humility of spirit it was sought to secure from the Egyptians when their plagues were sent upon them. We are afflicted, undoubtedly for a purpose, and that purpose will be accomplished. Every house may yet have its skeleton, but God's plans must be wrought out in any event. — Present evils will finally be overruled for good, though with proper conduct sooner on the past of the people rivers of blood might have been spared.