A Caution.
It seems to be quite evident that the
Yankee Government, in spite of the monster war meetings which it is instigating throughout the
North, will not be able to recruit its ranks by means of volunteers.
It is also evident that, in the event of failure, it will resort to a draft, and that a draft is to the last degree distasteful to the
Northern people.
These facts having become very plain, are calculated to make an impression upon our people, which, if indulged, may prove very prejudicial to our cause Already we observe that many persons are flattering themselves that the required number of troops (300,000) cannot be raised.
This is a mistake which, if it should be made likewise by the
Government, may prove a very serious one.
The required number of men will be raised, beyond all question, if not in one way, yet in another.
They will be forthcoming, too, at the shortest possible notice.
If we sit down and fold our arms, they will dispel our dream of security before we are prepared to resist them by a shock so rude that it will cost us a long time to repair the damage it will occasion.
Let us make ourselves masters of the crisis by anticipating it, and preparing to face it when it shall have arrived.
Let us not permit it to overtake us like a surprise.
Remember
Manassas, and the evil consequences that flowed from that great, unimproved and, because unimproved almost fatal victory.
We have to deal with an enemy of vast resources both in men and means, and he will spare neither blood nor money in his attempt to reduce us to subjection.
His exertions are stimulated by a hatred so deep and so diabolical that it will stop short of nothing which may promise to assist in its gratification.
Our prospects at present are bright and encouraging.
They can only become overcast by our own folly or negligence.
Yet, though we exercise the utmost prudence and foresight — though we neglect no opportunity, and forego no advantage — though we pursue every success to the utmost extent of the advantages which can be extracted from it — though our energy in the
Cabinet be worthy the courage of our soldiers in the field — we must still expect a protracted and arduous struggle — a struggle that may drag on for years, and that will terminate only when our foe shall have wasted all his resources in his frantic efforts to subdue us, and shall have become ready to relinquish the contest solely because he is too exhausted to continue it. It is proper for us to look out situation fully in the face.
We
must not flatter ourselves with the delusion that our trials are nearly at an end. There is not the slightest reason to fear that we shall ever be subjugated; but ‘ "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance."’
