Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-18

4 The South is in the habit of expressing much so
licitude for recognition by the European Govern
ments. She must not forget that that recognition
depends solely upon herself When she proves and
vindcates her nationality by means which the mind
ofthe world cannot but acknowledge, then the re-
eognition follows, and her Independence is good
without the recognition. It is not recognition that
produces Independence, but independence which
exscts recognition.
The South has done much in the demonstration of
her independent nationality. She has in the field
a hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. She has
financial resources abundant for the support of this
force and for carrying on the indefinitely. She
has arms, munitions OF war, generals and states
men, No power on the face of the earth, Of equal
population, can compare with her in the elements
Of strength and independence. The only arm Of
power In which she Is deficient is navy F; but she
has many extraordinary resources which cOTapen-
safe that want. She has crops and staples which
enable her to command the respect and considera>
ton Of the world. Two Of her staple products alone
Europe would be glad to purchase at two hundred
and fifteen millions Of dollars.
All these things make very good start towards
independence. The North has, in most significant
manner, acknowledged her power by cOnfessing that
four hundred thousand men and four hundred
millions of dollars will be necessary to subdue her.
It is right vigorous nationality that requires such
q preparation to suppress it.
But it is most exgent upon the South to vindicate
her power by military demonstration. In this line
of action, she has done crest deal; more, hoWeV-
er, in the way of prevention than OF positive
achievement. II is great and speaking fact that
the enemy has nowhere penetrated ten miles into
seeded State, except IN obscure corner OF Flr-
ginia, where the population is largely Northern in
blood and sentiment He is rigidly confined to the
shore Of the Potomac opposite Washington, and Dy
his diligence in terrifying seems TO have lost cour-
age and purpose of making forward movement.
he is pent up in Fortress Monroe, and is in such
mortal terror of masked batteries that he is afraid
to venture forth with force Of less than six TO one
Of our strength. Norfolk was to have been recap
tured BY the middle of May, and is still at the
middle Of July. Meantime, the sun ard whiskey
are doing more execution upon him than all our
bullets or masked batteries could do.
Baked at Norfolk, Bethel and Alexandria, he is
seeking to turn our left flank by sending down an
immense force through Martinsburg and PhiippI.
That strategic artifce will fail also. His forces
will outnumber US, but we have the mountains for
a rampant and those terrible masked batteries for
our protectors. We have but to plaeard our mile
posts-"Beware Of masked batteries and he viii
incontinentally call halt and send back for rein
forcements.
Really and truly the South has done much to de;
monstate her capacity of selfexistence. She has
done everything. in fact but one thing She must
have victories. One or two brilliant victories would
proclaim her independence trumpettOngued through
the nations These constitute an essential formal
ty in the programme OF independence. The world
paws much more serious heed TO forms than to
facts, and nation must win its spurs. Anew born
nation, without battle or victory commensurate
with its power and magnitude, would not be
thought Of Fsbius saved Rome but Rome was al
ready an acknowledged power in the world. He
was fighting for security, and not for recognition.
We are to fight for both, and our generals should
be Fabius and Scipio combined.
Our recognition By the powers of the earth
depends upon ourselves. We should covet none but
such as our own proves shall command Interest
and necessity might drive England and France to
our side for the purpose of procuring cotton; but
our dignity and Importance would be greater more
enduring and secure, if it were altogether self
achieved. If our independence we're the achieve
ment Of France and England, what obnoxious obi
cations and complications would 1t not lead to If
it were accomplished by cotton instead of cannon,
it would be the cotton States, and not the whole
South, that would deserve the credit of success.
Let Us not look abroad for recognition. Let Us
not trust to France Great Britain or to cotton. Let
US not expect success from the possession Of sta
pie given as by Providence; but let Us hew out
Independence by our own right arms owing it to
proves and conduct alone. Then shall we indeed
have a place in the great muster roll of nations.
We shall not rank parasite of England France
or possess a dangerous importance, like the toad,
from the jewel he happens to carry in his head
Prudence and pride alike counsel that shell fight
our way through this difficulty bravely and perse-
Veringly not looking for success to purchase d.
plomacy. A few battles and victories viii be worth
more to US than maay years Of cotton crops.-Rich-
noHd Examiner.