Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-25
- moRAL d. OLE DEFEAT.

EEEE MURAL GE OAh DA
The intelligence of cur defeat in Eastern
Kentucky, and the loss of the brave and chival-
ric Z~oLLICoFFER, have ere this been conveyed
upon the wings of the lightning to every city
and town Of the South. The news of the
disaster viii prove a sudden shock to our people,
inasmuch as they were not expecting such a
result from that division Of our army. It boots
not whether it be attributable to a want of Off
cial competency on the part of G n CRITTEN-
DEN or to the alleged superiority Of the enemy's
forces, the fact confronts US that we have been
badly defeated. and it behooves us as men
worthy Of our revolutionary sires to confess the
truth and meet It's consequences if necessary
with Roman courage and Spartan heroism.
This war waged for our independence has now
lastsd for over nine months, and with the excep-
ton Of the fall Of the gallant GARRETT at Laurel
Hill, on the 18th Of August last, we may well
say that history viii record il, up to the time
Of the present reverse, as a series of bril-
liant victories for Southern arms, illustrating
Southern valor and giving renewed impetus
to the cause Of Southern freedom. For one,
guided by the beacon light that CLEANS from the
lamp of experience, we are surprised that We
hsve not-encountered defeat before the fatal affair
Of the l9ih instant, near Somerset. We have
no right to expect uninterrupted success. We
OF the West are fighting a people essentially diff
ferent from those who fed from the fields Of
Bethel, Bull Run and Balls Bluff. They are
sturdy yeomanry, Injured to the hardships of
camp life, skilled in the use Of firearms, and al
most equal to US in courage. We met them at
Belmont and found them foemen worthy Of our
steel. In the attack, therefore, upon the com
mand Of Gen. THOMAS. -intrenched as they were
behind their Notifications, we see nothing in the
result to astonish US, even though the opposing
army were numerically smaller than our own.
The advantage Of breastworks and intrench-
ments in battle can readily be appreciated when
we remember the battle Of New Orleans, where
Gen. Jackson, with six thousand raw militia,
routed and drove back fifteen thousand British
regulars, on the 8h of JANUARY, 1915.
But eonfessing defeat, with the hope that it
may not prove disgrace, there is a moral in it
for us, which, aught we know in to the contrary,
may be Heaven-seut and Heaven-directed-
d Sweet" we are truly told, are the uses Of
sdyersity." Aprosperity long continued is dan
gerous from the overweening confidence which
It is liable to engender, but occasional disaster
is invariably fruitful of good results. The for
mer dissrms Us of that active and eternal vigi-
lance which IS the price Of human liberty. The
latter awakens US from a sleeping apathy and
gives that vitality and energy, which enabled the
tabled ANTEUs 30 gather strength from being
pressed to the earth. Defeat as an instrument in
the hands of a kind and benefeent providence,
who watches the fall Of every sparrow, may be
made the pregnant source Of an untold amount
Of future good, enabling US to pluck the fewer
safely from the thistle danger, and secure tri-
umph from the jaws of impending disaster.
There is certainly nothing however, in this mat
ter, lamentable as is its occurrence, to afford a mo
ment's Encouragement to the most timid time
servers in our midst, whose sympathy is enlisted
in our noble cause. He who would intimate so
dastardly a thought only makes bold to attest
the shameless fact Of his own cowardiee, and
aToGses suspicious that might well fasten upon
him tn disgrace of recreaney and mcipient trea-
son. A hundred such defeats as that of CRIT
TEEDES could be sustained by US without in
curing that degree of danger to the safety Of
our government, which darkened the prospects
Of the American colonies in the war Of ZIG.
When, during the gloomy days Of that period,
Charleston and Savannah had fallen into the
hands of the enemy, and the Continental forces
were beaten back and routed at Camden with
the loss Of the brave DE KALB, the heart of the
staTnest patriot had causeto quail Yet the col
onists fought on through the dark and trying
ordeal, until a bright and glorious destiny was
attained. and freedom crowned their cause with
the blood-stained laurels Of victory.
So far from being discouraged in the least,
therefore, let US be prepared, if necessary, to en-
counter more defeats during our war for indie
pendence, without allowing even a damper to be
cast upon our spgits>-Te cannot expect to
achieve successes every time, and did we do so,
we might well commence to have serious sppre-
tensions Of its ultimately deleterious effect
Out people and our rulers now see the necessity
Of increased activity and wakefulness, and, in
deed, Of putting forth the full energies Of ou
giant young Confederaey in the development Of
its resources for war and the better use Of irs
powers Of defense.
~ The Panoia Star says that the Mississippi