New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-20

fered. Tho mere hope that they may
vet return to the bounty of crumbs
they once enjoyed is enough for them.
How can we wonder that slaves. degen-
Grated by centuries Of servitnde, do
not rire in insurrection against their mlsters
now that the opportunity is afforded them'
whom Northern white men are yet incapable OF
asserting their independence of political servi-
tude Such, however, is the fact. and we must
deal with it as it is. We may regret it, and
combat it, but after all it must be left, for the
most part, TO the stern logic of events which
are fighting for us with tremendous power, and
are sure to bring us TO happy Issue at last.
There is no reason for surprise, therefore,
and less of alarm, that the reverse our arms
has sustained at Fredericksburg is taken ad-
vantage of for renewed attacks upon the Gov
eminent, renewed attempts to create popular
distrust, and TO arouse Impotence with the
progress of the war. Let the timid note care
fully whence these on.lauehts, for the most
part, come, and compare the course Of those
most active in them now with the part they
have played on previous occasions. We yield
TO none in our sorrow and modification at
tho events OF the past week, but we
have not, therefore, any respect to show
for the howl that is going on oronnd us
in certain journals and among certain
class of citizens. We understand precisely
what Il means. II is not the misfortunes OF
their country that they are mourning over, but
they are Selling upon the occasion OF those
misfortunes to plunge her still deeper into diff
culty, TO embarrass her with new doubts and
new obstacles in the struggle she is making
for existence. 1t ia no new part Tor them to
play. They have played it oil along. 1t Is
not Burnsldo's defeat that they are in mourn
100 for, for defeat of the Union arms, whether
on the Peuinsuar or elsewhere las never
troubled them. Their eyes that overflow with
tears for men fallen in battle were dry when
many tens of thousands were wasted away
with disease in pestferous swamps, and
died in inactivity. They sympathlze to
the full with the alarm the Rebels
ieel-witness the Richmond papers-at the new
aspect the war has assumed. They dread, as
their masters dread, this new and threatening
activity They fear, as their masters fear, tho
advent Of the New Year, with its new policy
that will, if rightly pushed, arouse new ele-
ment against the Southern revolt. They hope
ly delay 10 tide over this crisis 10 the Rebel
hon. They know no better way than to en-
barrass the Government by ncw political com.
plcatons, aud this they hope 10 do BY arogsng
a Just popular alarm At what great o. It IS as
A calamity, il. at the worst, the fortune OF
nar-a lost baitc-and is not rrrruediable.
I.e, the public not be deceived or Jed away
bv this clamcr. IL II insinccre aud mis-
chicyou-. aud il nothing less than ihciyfln.
vs. have outl'cd, passed over, and forgotten,
a. practical eycuts, other caianiiles We
shall outiye aud get over this. We ought 10
have the intelligence to put under our feet
these appeals to popular timidity, the only
purpose OF which Is 10 lead the country into
new discussions and difficulties. We need all
the moral and physical courage we can muster
H. face our actuAl troubles, without creating new.
Win nearly million OF men IN the held with
unlimited resources, vita people who have done
all that ours has done with courage aud
energy that have never sackened Ia the trials
of The the two years past, We have no cause
for dependency. much less for despair.
Whether the Government is the best W. might
have il not the question: it is the beat we
have got, ard We know precisely what II Is.
Il is no time now to swap horses. Let us
stand By the Government, and stand by our
selves, aud traitrrs everywhere will yet be
made 10 bite the dust.