Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-02-18


wood can do go By hauling us good loads and
good aoood.
Our Recent Reverses.
We are not disposed to take gloomy view OF
the seemingly sad reverses with which oar arms
have recently met. We do not feel discouraged
by them; on the contrary, we believe that they
will eventually result in good to the cause of the
South. 1855
sThe bud may have bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower" rt
These reverses are but the thunder -claps which
were necessary to arouse the giant of Southern
energy from its false reE ose. We had INDUCED
too long fancied security, and it was necessa-
for our good that we should be aroused to
proper sense of our duty under the trying cir
cumstauces by which we are surrounded. We
were enjoying our otium cam dignitate, and ac-
ting as though there was no one to molest or
make US afraid, whilst powerful and ruthless
enemy was exerting all of his energies, with
might and main, to prepare and equip an enor-
nous force to fall upon US unexpectedly at some
weak and unprotected point. That he should
succeed in gaining few successes, after 80 much
vigilance and preparation on his part, and such
carelessness and listlessness on ours furnishes no
cause OF wonder or alarm. The news of these
reverses falls upon the ears of the brave and
patriotic like the sound of the trumpet calling to
arms, and inspires them with determination to
buckle on their armor and rally, with the spirit
of heroes, to the defence OF the banner of free
dom and independence. Whilst we felt secure,
our volunteers, who have been for a long time
In the service, and who were beginning to pine
for the sweet pleasures of home, were hesitatiDe
whether or not they would re enlist; but We
mistake their spirit for bravery and patriotism
il the news of our recent 1eyerses does not deter
mine nearly ecery one to re-enlist with an in
creased determination to meet and conquer tht
enemy, and to share in the glory of establishing
the freedom and independence of their country
They have acquired q name and fame which the,
will not tarnish by laying down their arms whel
their country and their dear native State call
most loudly for the services of their brave heart
and strong arms. The Yankees may be guilt.
of the shame and infamy of disbandng and re
turning home when the sound of hostile cannon
was reverberating in their ears, but Southerner
cannot be guilty of such dastardly conduct
We believe confidently that nine-.enths of tn
Virginia volunteers will now re-enlist prompt,
and cheerfully, and We have no reason to be
lieve that the troops from other Southern State
will act less bravely and patrioticaly. This i
one good effect which we expect to result from
our recent reverses.
Another is, that it will have a similar effec
upon those who are not now in the service. We
believe that thousands will now cheerfully vol
unteer, who have not done 50 heretofore, for the
reason that they did not feel that their servi-
ces were needed. Now that they are conscious
of the necessity of their services, they will cheer
fully offer them to the Confederacy. We c.
not believe that the patriotic spirit which ami
mates the sons of this good old county will eve
allow the necessity of draft upon its citizens
The number of volunteers required will prompt
ly step forth when their State calls for them.-
This county las too fair name and her SON
are too proud of it to allow the stigma of for
ced draft to o pat upon it, TLey feel that t.
volunteer is brave, cCmmendable, and patriotic
erect, walk with bold and manly step, whilst al
drattsmen, they woull hobble along as convict
enforced to the performance of reluctant ant
disagreeable duty. We cherish the hope tina
the required number 10 furnish the quota of thi
State will cheerfully volunteer.
Another good effect which we expect to resul
from these reverses is, that our officials, upoI
whom the heaviest responsibility rests, will b.
awakened to the necessity Of exercising more
vigilance, activity aid energy.
Last, but not least, Is the effect it will hav
upon the conduct of the enemy. The finance
of the enemy are now in precarious condition
and another pound put upon the back of th,
camel will break it down. The following is th,
- view of the Richmo d Examiner upon thi
point:
The enelny's exutation over their recen
achievements will be extraYagant enough an(
the Federal Congress will be emboldened to en-
act all the measures required by the war. The
demand note bill will go through the Senate
with the legal tender clause; and the tax bill
levying q hundred and fifty millions from the
people, will become la~. Expenditures, which
might otherwise have been abstsined from, will
be boldly rushed into and the government will
get more deeply involved in debt than ever.
II lit had been possible before to save the Nor
thern finances, it will not be now. The govern
ment will take new plunge into the sea OF
financial trouble, and this time into deep waters
that have no bottom. The legal tender clause OF
their treasury note bill will cut down the wealth
of the entire creditor classes, and impose the
chief burdens of the war, in the most odous
form, upon the men who have so far contributed
to it the most important aid. The rich will be
disguised by the unjust and unequal measure
and the poor be burdened by the heaviest taz
they have ever yet ba / to shoulder. The bill.
enforcing these measures might have hurg fire
in the Federal Congress for long time but fol
the brave news coming up to it from Tennessee
and North Carolina; they will now become laws
and the Northern people be made to feel, in all
its weight, the burden of debt which their mad
and bloody policy he's imposed upon them for
ever.
1t may, therefore, after all, be kind Provi-
dence that has directed the recent reverses OF
the South. If they be the means of plungine
the enemy still deeper into debt, and of securing
the passage of measu, es which will bring home
the war to the pockets of the Northern people
they may prove more fortunate in ultimate con-
sequences than the many victories we gained il
the fald These victories iucensed them an(