A Richmond correspondent of a Southern paper says: "
General Lee told
Mr. W. C. Rives, the other day, that there was but a single thing to fear, and that was the spreading of a causeless despondency among the people.
Prevent that, and all would be well.
We had strength enough left to win our independence, and we were certain to win it if the people will only not give way to a foolish despair.
"To another distinguished gentleman,
General Lee said that the attack of the press on the
President pained him (
Lee) very much.
He had confidence in the
President, and did not think we could find a better man for that place."
We have also heard, from another source, which we consider entitled to credit, that
General Lee said he was "surprised at the despondency of the citizens." When
General Lee speaks thus; when
General Lee says
"we have strength enough left to win our independence, and we are certain to win it if the people will only not give way to a foolish despair," the people ought to believe him. This is not the irresponsible utterance of an excited politician, and still less of a street corner oracle; it is the voice of the highest military authority in the
Confederacy; of a man better informed than any other of the resources of the enemy and of our own; it is spoken in the freedom of social intercourse, and not for public effect; and it comes from a man who never exaggerates, and who would not stain his honor by deception for all the renown the world could give.
Do the people believe
Robert E. Lee?
And if they do, will they not dismiss at once that "foolish despair" which, he assures them, is the only obstacle to their independence?
The people of the
Confederacy know at last what the loss of their independence means.
They have that knowledge from the Federal Congress, and from the lips of
Lincoln and
Seward.
There is no earthly hope for them but in stern and unanimous resistance; and in that there is everything to hope.
So
General Lee declares, and that trumpet gives no uncertain sound.
