The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-22

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TIE Intensive Frontier OF the South
Few Of our people have any comprehension
Of the impossihility Of defending Al all points
sach IN extensive frontier ~ that oftbe South.
To protscs Il completely would require an army
concentrated 1t the innumersble points essen
tsal 10 defence ~ large rs the entire pop"ia-
tion. The seacoast itself, II there were no
Inland frontier, IL 10 immense, and abounds
with inleuts, bayous, harbors, and easy landing
places, tia. TO guard it etfectually without q
navy 10 literally An impossibility. But "neh
Il IL rscollected that, in addition TO tn''' we
have an enormous inland frontier, only sePa'
rated in some contiguous Northern states by
nm imaginary life, and in others oy river,
which the naval force Of the enemy enables
than 70 command md that, besides all this,
An immense territory in the region of the
South west is penetrated by the Ohio and Mis-
s,ssipp. thus giving rs freshw water frontier
in the hear. of our country as large and ex-
posed ~ that On the Atlantic borders, we
think 1t must be conceded that, to prevent the
enemy from making one or dozen Judgments
upon various points of our soil, especially
when he outnumbers Us four to one, is more
than can b expected Of any Government
Our only wonder is, considering the immense
advantages of the enemy for assault, whilst
We stand purely uponthe defensive, that We
have been able 20 long 70 prevent him from
destroying or occupying most OF our seaport
and river towns, and from advancing into the
interior from more than ono important base
Of operations.
Considering our limited means of defence,
both in arms and munitions Of war, and the
boundless supply Of both possessed by the
enemy, we may be thankful to Providence
that the loyal portion Of the Southern Con-
foderacy is still almost intact, and submit with
philosophy to any temporary advantages OF
this kind which they may obtain, as inevitable
by any means at our command, aud therefore
not " be attributed to the fault OF our Gov
eminent or its military leaders. 1t may con-
sole ~ also to remember that the occupation
of any city of the South, whether on our
sea coast or the rivers, would not be decisive
In any degree Of the great contest in which
we are engaged Paris may be France and
London England, but the South is rural
population, whose small and scattered cities
might all be biotted out without affecting the
great heart Of her vitality and power The
population, thet resources, the spirit, soul
and craftsmanship Of the South are In the
country, not the towns and the latter might
be occupied for fifty years or century by a
foreign army without destroying the strength
or oorrupting the patriotism OF the country
population.
ton to be- independent Of the most base, IA
naticsl, and cruel despotism that has existed
in modern times, it will At least manifest the
patience and perseverance, Of its Revolution
airy forefathers, who endured the trials, mis-
fortunes, and disasters of seven long years,
and were willing to have toiled through sew
snty more rather than submit to grievances
which, compared with those inflicted upon the
South, are lighter than gossamer. For years
did our British adversary hold not only cities,
seabOard aud inland towns, but dominated over
whole states. Defeat followed defeat, and
misfortune misfortune. But the spirit of the
true men of that day was heard in the voice
Of George Washington when he declared that,
IL al else failed him, he would raise the dag OF
Independence in the mountains of Virginia. and
there bid defiance to the enemies of his
country.
If the South had lost the battle of Manassas.
instead Of gaining it; if we had been defeated
At Bethel, Belmont, Leesburg, Carnifax Fer.
xy, Greenbrier River, Springfield, Allegheny
and defeated in each and all, by far inferior
forces, she ought not even then to have
despaired, unless she acknowledges her
inferiority in energy and patience to the
North, which having been shamefully routed
In each and all Of these actions, still persists
in new efforts, struggling with convulsive
violence, and never whispering word of
peace. II, under circumstances calculated to
beget despair, the North, which is acting as
the aggressor, shows 10 symptoms of dis.
cOuragement, how puerile and shameful were
the South, the victor in almost every battle,
and engaged in a struggle in which surrender
is ruin, to croak and despond. We do not be.
lieve that such is the temper and such the spirit
Of the Southern people. We feel convinced
that, however disagreeable may be those oc-
casional inroads Of the enemy into our terri
tory, which osunot be prevented, the South
has entire confidence in its leaders, and the
most unalterable determination to wait, and
hope and live for independence no matter how
long an. low vexatious the period Of proba-
ton.