The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-10-14
UNDERTAKING AN ENEMY.

1t is wise maxim never to underrate an enemy.
The North is beginning to realize the philosophy
OF that rule. We suppose if ever there was one
proposition clearer than another to the Northern
mind 1t was that the North could eat the South
up before breakfast. No kind Of doubt was ever
entertained on that subject. Other things might
admit OF question, and the Northern mind which
is greatly given to sceptcism had, in point of
fact, questioned almost every other theory and
creed received among mankind. But that the
North could whip and wipe out the South with its
little hnger, was selfevident fact which man
would have incurred the risk of mad house for
dsputing. 1t was believed that the South ex-
listed only by the sufferance of the North, which
was three or four times greater in wealth, popula-
tioh ana resources. The Southrons, sparsely set
tied IN vast territory, would have their hands
tuIl IN keeping down their own negroes The
valor of their people was believed to be an i'm
pulsiye, hot-headed, transient fame; which would
soon be quenched when submitted to the cold
water bath Of Northern determinations Such was
the universal and profound contempt in the North
OF the relative military strength of the South
that James Watson Webb even proclaimed in his
Courier and Enquirer that the New York 7th
regiment alone would be able to conquer all the
Southern States. Such was the pitch of bloated
self-sutficiency to which the North had arrived
and which had so far imposed upon other nations,
that the South was everywhere looked upon as the
Ireland Of the American Union
This sentiment manifested itself at the time of
Nlrgnias secession it, an outburst of frantic rage
and vlndlctlveness, which, in all the history of
civilized nations, has been quite unparalleled
In thirty days the State was to be brought to her
knees and her leaders hung up as high as lIaman.
Lincoln called for seventy five thousand men to
accomplish an object for which he now demands
million. The thirty days extended to ninety, and
the thunderstroke Of the battlc Of Manassas
opened the eyes Of the North for the first time to
the magnitude Of the enterprise it had undertaken
Gen. SCOTS magnificent army running like
hounds from force of not half their numbers;
the blawncy laborers of Europe and the athletic
fremen Of New York, who filed its ranks, scat
tered like chaf by the "delicate and etfcminatc'
children Of the sun; regulars whipped by volun,
teers, and nearly every cannon they had taken
from them at the point of the bayomet-these
the astonishing disclosures Of that Manassas
which taught the North the important lesson,
" Never underrate an enemy"
The same wise maxim is worthy the considera-
ton Of the South, although there has been little
danger that it should overlook it, so far as the
enemys numbers and material Of war are con
cerned There has been a disposition, however,
common enough among all c0mbatants to under
rate the courage Of their antagonists. The pro
gress of the war thus far has shown no ground
for such imputation, nor, if it were Just, could
we claim much glory by victories over such
foe. We may safely assume the superior military
spirit and aptitude of the South, without denying
to the North that quality of physical courage
which is common to all races Of man kind, but
which in their is paralyzed by the incubus of
a bad cause and an uneasy conscience 1t is wise
to give them credit alike for their strength and
ferocity, that We may summon all the energies
necessary for success over such an adversary
Pichm md Dispatch.