New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-31
THIS llIFFsSIsEaCE.

1t was 6 weil-aseertained fact that the DIFF
ftcuties between the North and South conld be
settled only by an appeal to arms il was instruct
i've TO note the different gs ia which each section
prepared for the conflict. 0nthe side Of the North
allwas bluster aud brayado, fuss and fury On
the sids Of the South everything was conducted
calmly ndquietly, but with a steady and deter
mined eafnestness that betokened an inyineible
purpose to triumph.
The North seemed to be suddenly seized with an
uncomfortable fit Of passion, and vented forth
threats &c immediate aud utter determination cou-
MED with denunciation and abuse ofus disgraceful
Is q people who claimed to be Christian. The
South stoe5l its ground steadily aud imnoyably,
isdaining all reply to threats which it knew TO be
irnpoteTt, ana iualedotions which were poured
forth from bad hearts inaamad with the worst
passions.
The press OF. the North called for a campaign
sharp quick and decisive. The purpose was openly
ayowed that Ne we're 70 be subjugated. disgraced,
and crushed cut. The Z rebellion must be put
down at Whatever cost Of men and money, and
the supremacy Of the Federal authority r6estab
lished. Suggestions worthy only Of fiends were
made, looking TO lie stirring mp Of seryile insur
rections the use of the midnight torch of the in
eendiary the devastation Of the fair fields of the
South by cutting the Ieyees Of the Mississippi, the
brutal Invasion of the domestic circle, and divi
3sion among . hireling soldiery, of the wealth Of
so,ir people. Humanity shudders at the atrocities
which were boldly recommended in this boosted
era Of Christianity and civilization, by people
WHO claimed vast superiority to others mali the
Christian virtues.
We do not mention these things to stimulate the
resentment Of the South but only for the contrast
which The South has Afforded With a forbearance
wonderful under the circumstances, we have ut
tered no retaliatory threats, except in the way of
recognized and legitimate warfare, but have calmly
and firmly prepared ourselves for the shock Of
battle. The NORTH consumed by passion and
trembling with uncomfortable rage, finds its ad.
Yefsary cool and collected, anxious for peace but
prepared at every point fer war.
And this results Us wellsfron tile character and
temper Of the two sections as from the fact that it
is a war of aggression on the part Of the North, I
ana q war of defence on the part Of the South.
We are fighting on our own soil for our own rights
and liberties. They are Waging war OF INVASION,
III which they must know they are wFong--we are
rspeling an attempt at our subjugation, and we
know we are right. 1t is not surprising that it
should Be war stimulated only By passion on
their side, by a COOL and invincible determination
On ours.
The difference il none the less marked and
striking in the character and matefiel Of the OPP
posing forces. The South has sent to the field of
battle her bfaFest soldiers young men Of the best
blood Of our section IS different from the starving
transformations who infest the Northern cities
possible for people of the same Our armies
are recruited from the plains and mountains the
land men accustomed to the nse Of arms and to
all kinds Of personal danger to be ptted against
mere nlereenaries, picked up in the slums and
back-alleys Of the crowded cities of the North,
fighting for bread and subsistence against those
who are lighting for honor and liberty. Our forces
are oficered by the very pick and flower of the
old army, the Others mostly By men without either
character Or military experience. To compare
such soldiers as TWiggs, Beauregard, Bragg,
Lee, Hnger, and others hardly less distinguished,
wish Billy Ifullgan, Ned Buntline, the felon Wilson.
and Others Of like character, is like comparing
4 Hyperion to a satyr.n
The impartial nations OF Europe, looking at this
struggle, cannot but see the difference between the
cembatants ID many respects, all Of the advantages
politically, and nearly all physically, being on the
of the South. More especially will they see
that it il purely defensive struggle on our side
asking as we do nothing but that we be let alone
with our own Government aud institutions, pro.
posing IN no respect to interfere with the Northern
Government Or Institutions, ready to settle by
peaceful negotiation all questions whatever arising
out Of cur relations, and willing to coneed
the North what they have denied us, that right of
selfgovernment which bothsides have heretofore
claimed. This right,it now seems, is to be main
tanned by force Of arms. The South is not only
ready, but impatient, for the contest.