Trials of the. People.
Of all the afflictions to which humanity is subject that of war — and especially such a war as the present — is the most terrible. A few years ago not one man in the American States could have formed the slightest conception of its sufferings. Wars had always existed among mankind from the bestowing of human history; but reading of its horror is one thing, and being involved in them quite another. The present generation in these States had known nothing of them personally. Their lot was one of extraordinary exemption from most of those great evils — plague, pestilence, and battle — with which mankind in the old world had become familiar. It could not be expected that America would always remain an exception to the common fate of humanity; and yet, how few of us anticipated such a state of things as the present ! These tribulations are felt the more keenly because of their novelty, and because of their contrast to our former condition. These sufferings are universal. With the exception of the few who are fattening upon the public distress, the same shadow rests over every heart, the same griefs and anxieties agitate every bosom. All this is compatible with entire devotion to the cause, and only renders more meritorious the patriotism which grown brighter amidst affliction, and derives new strength from adversity. Surely never, since the beginning of time, have a people made greater sacrifices than the people of the South--sacrifices voluntarily and cheerfully made and involving the choicest of their earthly possessions. There has not been a household in which some mother or wife, with the faith of Ababa, has not offered up a child, and often every child, upon the altar of patriotism. The whole Southern army is made up of such willing sacrifices. What heart rending anxieties have been aroused in Southern homes since the beginning of the war for the fate of the individuals composing that army. How many thousand fireflies has it desolated ! What deprivations have the people at large suffered ! And, of all classes of the people, what can compare in trials and perils with that glorious army, which, whatever the fate of this war, will be remembered in history as the most heroic and self sacrificing army that ever trod the earth. Whilst the European journals have freely conceded that the annals of ancient and modern times furnish few such examples of lofty courage and devotion as those of the soldiers of the South, they cannot know, as we know, how vastly superior to the rank and file of most armies. In all the qualities that adorn human nature, are the gentlemen who compose the mass of the Southern armies. They were not driven to arms, like the Northern soldiers and the mercenaries of other lands, by their necessities. On the contrary, there are few of them who would have subjected their slaves to such deprivations of food, clothing, and rest as they have themselves cheerfully endured. Met one of them-ever knew want or hardship till be became a soldier, and yet not a murmur, not a complaint; but, on the contrary, their spirits seem to rise the higher with every new pressure; and as for danger, each of them might say. ‘ "Danger and I were thin lions,Littered in one day,
And I the older and more terrible."
’ What a contrast does their conduct present to that of the sharpers and speculators who have the heart to currach themselves by their necessities.--If people in civil life are ever tempted to murmur under their sufferings let them look at the infinitely greater privations of the army, and the sublime fortitude with, which they are endured. We know not what further trials may be in store for but this we know, the public mind of the South is prepared for every human affliction, for death itself, rather than submission to the greater evil — because involving degradation and shams — of Yankee deamination. Most of the sufferings of the war are the work of the enemy, and we are not likely soon to forget or forgive them. As for the harpies in our own limits, whose grinding exhorting are threatening more injury to our cause then the arms of the Yankees a day may come when the vengeance of outraged humanity will out to them the punishment they deserve.
