The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-10-11
Lessons frons History.

The Atlanta Cosftdsraey has sn interesting art-
Gle on the lessons of history applicable to this
war. Alter complimenting vicksburg for its tena
cious courage, 1t says:
There others of our cities to be attacked this
winter. Charleston. Savannss. and Mobile, will
will they meet it Will they resist to the DEATH or
will they surrendera One thing is Ger tain they
have had time and means to make themselves i'm
pregnsoic. 1t has been possible so to girdle them
with fortifcatious that small force could defend
them agans. host II they fall. it must be either
by the ,uidity of their Defenders, or neglect, or
want of ski. in the military au.heri:es The coan-
try will SO regasd it.
16an 4 q scsrssly possfbss to concs:ve thst any:
thing has been neglected which ought TO have been
done There Ii every reason to believe that our brave
troops viii defend these cherished cities 10 the last
gasp One thing they ought to do which has not
been done. They should call back thei. absentees
or refugees. The communities In which they have
found covert should assist them. crushing scorn
should over N helm fha able bodied man who tises
from an imper' lied city OF which he is native or
citizen, or IN which he has accumulated ysbeath
IN such case no age or calling constitutes ex.
emption- Let the word refugee, when applied to
such, become infamous.
To stimulate to a heroic defence of these impor-
tsut cities may be useful to refer to that which
has been done elsewhere in like circumstances
The history of one republic is rich in instances of
he-oic defence of cities. Reference . made to the
Netherlands during the lifetime OF William of
Orange, hero who deserves to bs placed by tie
side Of Washington. Thers are strong points Of
resemblance berwean the rise Of the Dutch Repub-
lie and that of our own Gonfcderacy.
The contest between Holland and Spain was
most unequal The latter had the largess and beet
army in the world-veteran troops, trained by
Charles and commanded by that great General, the
Duke of Alys The former had no organized army.
It's population snsil; its resources limited its
territory insignificant. Yet fer eighty years it waged
war with the most potent empire upon earth and dur
ing the progress Of the struggle became "a mighty
State, binding shout it's oETr slender form of
the richest possessions Of earthfro POLE to trop,c
finally debating its DEGREES to the Empire of
Charles"
The parallel is clear thus far-our enemy out.
numbers in men and exceeds Us in resources, as
did Spain the Netherlands. Why shall not the par
allel continue Whether we fight him eight years
or eighty years. what shall prevent our growth
during the struggle to great patiens
Again tae Netherlands fought their powerful
enemy without assistance. They sought it, but n
vain. They sought it from Fr ,nce; but Ffancewas
Catholic aud feared Spain, and considered the COL.
test hopeless. similarity III religious opinion gave
right to expect assistance from England. But
Holland was struggling for civil as well as religious
liberty, and therefore The despotic, though Protest
ant Elizabeth, refused assistance. Alone these
brave Hollesdsrs fought out that wearY war, and
alone they conquered u peace
We have weakly sought assistance from these
two same Powers 1t has been re used us. We
Also alone, must fight tits weary war; and alone
we shall conquer peace.
The designs IT their enemy wers the same as the
designs CT iurs. The purpose of Spain was the
absolute suhugation of the rebeilious provinces -
It's intention 30 crush cut the rebellion" The
following is the language of Philip But II ye
disregard those offers Of mercy receiving them with
closed ears ss heretofore, tren we warn you that
there no risor, Eor cruelty however great while
you are 70 expect by lay ing waste starvation and
the sWoid. in such Eaunsr that nowhere shall re.