Evils of excessive confidence.
It can scarcely be doubted that an excess of courage and confidence is sometimes more dangerous to a cause than an excess of cowardice and despondency.
The South is suffering at this moment from a terrible apathy, begotten in part by the natural indifference of her people to danger, by a perilous contempt of her enemy, whom it has been the fashion to represent as so many
Chinese, and by an uninterrupted succession of the most extraordinary victories from Big Bethel to
Allegheny.
It seems almost incredible, yet it is none the less true, that up to the very period when the
Pawnee was reported as coming up the
James River, there was not a single gun of any kind mounted on either bank of the river; not one fortification, masked battery, or even torpedo, and, if we are not mistaken, it was full six weeks after that time before the slightest effort was made to defend a stream which could be as easily ascended — however difficult it might be to get back — as some of those the enemy have already attempted.
It was a comparatively late period in the war, before even the city of
Williamsburg manifested the slightest indication of preparing proper fortifications for its defence, a fact which so impressed one of our distinguished city clergymen, on a visit to that place, that he felt compelled to call attention to it from the pulpit.--It is absolutely astounding to think of the apathy which for three months after the beginning of the war left our cause in
Virginia at the mercy of the enemy.
We do not speak of the public authorities: for, as soon as the despotic designs of
Lincoln became evident, the
Governor and Convention of Virginia and the people strained every nerve to put the Common wealth in a state of defence.
But it was impossible, at that time, to resist successfully an advance of the enemy either by the line of the
Potomac or the
James river, and the people could not be made to realize their danger.
Their very courage and patriotism lifted them to high above the atmosphere of apprehension that they could not see the necessity of taking precautions against perils which seemed only to exist in limit imaginations.
From the very beginning of the war by
Lincoln upon the death, this journal has founded the note of and that pose it to the imputation of an alarmist — an imputation which we did not heed if we could only awaken the community to a sense of their danger.
Over and over again, from the beginning of this war, have we invoked attention to the defences of the
James and
York, and to a proper system of fortification for
Richmond; not one alone, in the immediate envious of the city, but beyond, in those admirable localities marked out by the circuit of the
Chickahominy, and which we can name at least one
Virginia engineer, familiar from his childhood with every foot of the soil, who could locate in the most efficient manner.--Nor have we been able to appreciate the favorite idea, that our enemy is a mere
China man, who has no fight in him; a Shanghai, who cannot stand up against the smallest game-cock.
We have repeatedly pointed out the fallacy of this dangerous delusion, and endeavored to show from the authority of our own gallant soldiers that their enemy was not the pusillanimous for they had been described; or, if they were, it was no glory to rout them.
The truth, we believe to be, that one Southern man, fighting for his own fireside, is a match for any three invaders; and that, besides, the
South is a more military people in its instincts and aptitudes than the
Yankees, or any other nation, except, perhaps, the
French and
Spanish.
But to deny all courage and stamina to the entire Yankee race, is as impolitic as it is unjust — unjust to our own soldiers, whose victories, if gained over a race of cowards, are not worth boasting of.
If the recent disaster to our arms, inflicted by superior numbers, shall have the effect of arousing the
Southern people to the sense of a real and imminent danger, they will prove blessings instead of disasters.
Everything that we hold is at stake in this war. We have an enemy so cruel and remorseless that the whole civilized world has held up its hands in horror at his inhumanity.
He brings with his armies handcuffs and halters, as well as bail and steel.
What Southern man will hesitate to prefer the latter?
He threatens the ruin of our homes and firesides.
Who will not rejoice to die in their defence?
The sky is brightened with the flames of our burning towns; the soil soaked with the blood of our children.
The
Lincoln programme, as just developed by the fiendish
Gen. Lane, is perfectly appalling in its wickedness and cruelty.
We know what is in store for us if we are subjugated; and now that the danger is at the door, we must do or die. The public spirit is up; the hour of destiny is at hand.
Woe to the leader who now commits a blunder of commission or commission.
Woe to the recreant who does not now prepare to strike with the full fire of vengeance and of loyalty for his country!
