"Skies bright and Brightening."
At the close of an important political campaign, we think the
Harrison Presidential election, when every other Democrat in he land was submerged in the waves of tribulation and despair, the venerable editor of the Richmond
Enquirer raised his head above the surrounding sea, and sent forth a shout of hope and determination that astonished both his friends and enemies.
He seemed invigorated by the copious drenching had received, and, scanning the troubled firmament with philosophical composure, announced, in a short time, that the "skies" were "bright and brightening." The light of his own sanguine temperament threw its lustre upon the sombre features of the sky, and a vigorous faith, which many waters could not quench, revealed with telescopic power, star after star of victory coming out in triumphant procession after the retiring clouds.
The results justified his political sagacity, and rebuked the folly and faintheartedness which cowers under defeat and disaster.
After the reverses of last summer, and the defeat at Chickamanga, a hopeful man had but little chance of making himself heard amid these doleful melodies of the
Dismal Swamp, which on every side filled the air. If any one, within a short period thereafter, had presumed to whisper, "Skies bright and brightening," his friends would have considered him a candidate for Bedlam.
Yet what practical benefits followed the
Federal success at Chickamanga?
How far did they extend their invasion thereby?
How much nearer did they get to
Atlanta?. How many miles of subjugation did they add to their advance?
The very first effort of
Grant to follow it up was met by a stunning blow from
Cleburne's veterans, that sent him back to his fortifications in double quick time.
No great battle has occurred since that Federal victory, and yet the
Yankee cause is weaker and the
Southern cause stronger than it was before that event.
Why are the enemy disheartened, dolorons and paralyzed in the arms of success?
Because all such victories, barren of results, are virtually defeats.
What must they think of a war in which they run the risk of battles lost, and in which battles gained are equivalent in their results to battles lost?
No wonder that gold goes up and confidence comes down.
The enormous extent of the
Confederacy defles the capacities of subjugation, and a victory like
Chickamauga developes the fact, and in more disheartening in the end than a defeat.
Now, indeed, a man may cry, "Skies bright and brightening," without engendering suspicious of his sanity.
The dimmest eye can now perceive the rainbow that spans the storm.
The faintest heart can draw inspiration from the stars that are beginning to reveal themselves in the tempest tost sky.--The most distrustful mariner can now look with respect upon the bold navigator whom but yesterday they were ready to throw overboard, because amid the ominous agitation of the seas he heard not only the roar of breakers, but discovered the signs of a continent rising in freshness and majesty from the waves.
The incredulity which looked upon
Paul as a criminal, because a viper had fastened upon his hand, was ready to worship him as a God when they saw that he had escaped all harm.
We do not commend these extreme fluetuations of public sentiment.
Far from it. We ought to be patient and hopeful in misfortune; calm and cautions in success.
In the language of the
English litany, we should pray for deliverance "in all times of our properity,"as well as "in all times of our adversity. "--We should neither make man the object of our fears nor of our confidence, but fear Him alone, and trust in Him alone, who rules the destinies of nations.
We should exhaust all human forethought, vigillance, and energy, to secure success, and then, with calm and confiding souls, commend events to God.
