Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-05-28
ssNo Way but to fight il out.''.

So says the Richmond Dispate6, and it is true,
All cool, discerning men saw this before the war
was brought on,-they have seen nothing else from
the time that Lincoln determined to coerce the
South. None but the cotton-bsrons and the fire.
eaters dreamed Of peacea6le secession, or of
short war, or of aid from Europe. Hard fighting
vigorous, terrible fighting by the South. has been
the only means of conquering peace, in the judg-
ment OF sensible men. Why is it not done?
The Richmond Enquirer says:
I'VE hold the enemy at bay everywhere now
let US drire him Let General Johnston swiftly
strike the blow that is to make him name and give
him his rank among the Generals of this war. Let
Beauregard drive home upon Halleck aud strive for
another victory. Let our commanders everywhere
show all their enterprise all their Skill and all their
activity. They must not be afraid to trust their
soldiers, for no generals ever had better The only
question ls whether the officers are worthy of such
men-and that is what we wish them everywhere
to prove"
That is sensible talk Our men will fight, and
many of our officers WILL They did not enter the
war for the mere fancy, or the ambition to gain rep
utation. The rank and file, and we have no doubt
many of the officers have no other ambition but to
whip the enemy. The army is sick of "falling
back" In another article the Enquirer says:
ITO show the spirit of our soldiers, and their
reluctance in retreat and alacrity in fight we repeat
the statement of an officer in Johnston's army
His regiment was slowly making its unwilling way
in the retrogade march from Yorktown, when orders
came that fight was in progress near Williamsburg,
and their aid was required. Immediately the regi-
ment was on fire with enthusiasm; and responding
with shout it wheeled and retraced its steps, pass
ing in onehaf an hour ground that just before
had formed a tioe hours march. And not man
dropped out of the ranks. Such is the difference
between forward y and "retreat!' in the estima-
tion of the noble fellows who compose our Richmond
army"
What is true of the Richmond Army" is true
of all our forces. In proof that they will fight,
witness their courage and uniform success in skir-
mishes, when off in detachments with fighting sub
ordinates, or with such men as Price and "Stone-
wall jackson.
But the Enquirer must needs make dash at
croakers and complainers. OF what do they croak
or complain? Is it not for the lack of the very
thing which the Enquirer says ought to be done
and must be done? We have heard no croaking or
complaining from any one against the principles Of
the government of the Constitution-none that
"S "edi, utIei Coiuplah uecTy, UT uiutter agdilSl
the Confederacy. 1t is wholly against the manage
ment Of the government and the war No govern
ment ever had more hearty support of the people
than ours. No administration has ever been so OBJ
scquiously sustained and supported. Men, money,
talent, time-every thing the people had-has been
at its bidding; and yet their beautiful country is
more and more overrun by the spoiler, and want,
poverty, and subjugation stare them in the face.
Our armies are made to briste up and confront tho
enemy for while, and then ingloriously to back
down, with a heavy loss of munitions, provisions,
clothing, &c. The large forces of Johnston and
Beauregard are said to be enduring great privaons
and suffering, and yet they areready to fight Why
not put them in motion? We have no fears of
Southern courage Let them drive the enemy back
die in the attempt Better, far better fall into
the hands of the enemy, fighting desperately, than
to sink away before him. until he wastes our means
and resources, without striking blow, rendering
US powerless humiliated and poverty stricken.