Were we to assume a defensive attitude on such a
line, all the advantages of such a state of war
would be ou the side of the enemy. W« could levy
no contributions on him. or in any other way make
him feel the pressure of the war; but mu«t remain
inactive and await his approach, being in constant
uncertainty at what point of the line,or at what
time he might make the assault. He may assemble
and organize an overwhelming force in the interior,
on his own side of the line, and concealing his pur
pose, make a sudden assault upon some one of our
postp, so distant from any otherqas to prevent the
possibility of timely succor or reinforcements, and
m this way (J ur gallant army would be exposed to
the dahger of being cut o'l in detail, or if, by their
unrivalled bravery and prowess, every where ex
hibited during the war, they should repulse the
enemy, the numbers stationed at any one point,
might still be too small to pursue him. If the ene
my be iepulsed iu one attempt, he will hive noth
ing else to do but retreat to his own side of the
; line, and’being in no fear of a pursuing army, may
| reinforce hirnself at Jeis -re for another attack ou
I the sar.ic, or some other point, He m»y, too, cross
aline between our posts —make incursions into the
hold—murder the inhabitants thereof,
and then return to the interior, before a sufficient
force can be concentrated to pursue him, Such
; would probably be the fiairasssing character of a
! mere defensive war on our par’, If our forces,
1 when attacked or threatened, be permitted to cross’
the line, rive back dtbe enemy and conquor him,
this would be again to invrde the enemy’s country
after having lost all the advantages of the con
[ quests we have already made, by having uolunta
rily abandoned them. To hold such a hue success
fully, and in security, it is far from being certain
that it would not require as large an army as vwejld
be necessary to hold all the eonque*ts which alrea
dy have been made, and to continue the prosecu
tion of the war in (he Heart of the enemj’s country.
