The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-08-15
The Duty Of To-Day.

From the New York Independent, (Abolition.)
In the beginning of this great struggle,
the question among loyal men was, how
shall we save this nation? One year Of
| fighting and the question is whether we
can save it? That is the question Of to-
day.
We do not write to blame, but to Judge.
Unless we are wiser than we have been,
we have outlived our nation. Look at
facts. ma
The South hns had more than wisdom,
civil and military; she has had sagacity.
After Mr.. Lincoln's election, not one
single State, except South Carolina, cast
a popular majority for secession. Yet ey-
cry State seeded except Delaware, Mary
land and Kentucky. There was a divided
public mind. q large undertone Union
feelingSi' the South even after the war
began @lsA4.a 's
1t is absurd to talk OF any such thing
now. There never was such revolution
of popular feeling on record. Dislike
has become hatred. With insignificant
exceptions, the South is unit in intense
and Interchangeable hatred of the North
BY volunteers, by Grating and by con-
scrirtion, she has placed in the field an
extraordinary force.
With all her seaports sealed, with no
important foundries, straitened for eve
ry single element in the manufacture of
munitions and equipments, the South has
armed her men so formidably that our
Generals would rather lie behind breast
works than meet them in the field. Ac-
customed to import from the North al
most every article Of living, the South has
become in day manufacturer of iron,
of cloth. of wood, of leather, of chemicals,
enough, at least, for all military purpos-
es. Cumbered with dangerous popula-
ton of four millions slaves, whose in
stincts, interests and secret wishes are
wholly, or largely, adverse, the South has
extracted from this element double
power, moral and physical. Playing up
on the political superstition of the North,
she has hindered its movements at every
step, by interpreting the slavery question
knowing that for two generations men
had been educated to yield everything
principle, interest, patriotism-r rather
than NEEDLE with Southern rights" of
slavery.
** What has been the
|
so near settlement as we were at the
beginning. The South, with all her loss.
es, and under difficulties thatwoul6 have
appalled, and disheartened any common
people, is more united, has larger army
in the field (more comfortably provided
for, and better managed) than she had q
year ago. ~
i, The South is more formidable to-day
than she was when she beleagured Wash
ington, held Tennessee, Missouri, ant
half of Kentucky. She is united; Will
every day the leven of old malignant pc
, litical parties is working disaffection, q
\ the bottom, in the North.
The South has simplicity and unity {
purpose. The North is uncertain whic
she wishes most-to subdue the rebellion
to leave slavery unframed, or to hay
the right President at the next election
The South adjourns every question an
postpones every interest in favor of arm
The North is busy with confictin
schemes and interests; and is also milk
ly carrying on the war.
Does anybody doubt the result of sue
a course? 1t is so certain, that it is NJ
worth our while to waste another man
ton policy should instantly change, {
the war ceases! 1t is not more vigor,
: much as different internal idea. If tn
Administration cannot be disenchante
of the traditional policy that has grow
up during the heartless, timid, compr
missing era of the last half century, an
adopt the simple and straightforward pc
, icy that becomes people striving for Iii
erty and free institutions upon the Anne
, icar continent-then we are doomed !
1t is war that we are making-war frs
war second, war wholly 1t is not pol
tics. 1t is not constitution making.
is not the decision of legal nicities. The.
, are not the business of Government as t
ward the South. 1t is war. absolute, te
| rible, and Unreasonable war.
, The South has organized on the fact
, slavery, and fights on that issue, pure an
, simple. The North must organize O
the doctrine of liberty, and fight rigl
through on the issue, pure and simple.
The South sacrifices everything tn;
, conflicts with her central idea. The Mort
must do the same. The South Is NJ
ashamed of slavery. The North mu
not be ashamed of liberty.
Under such circumstances we hold:
/. That it was unwise to call for 300
600 volunteers. The day has gone by ft
: that. The Administration should hay
: drafted half a million of men for instar
s service, and half million more as r.
u serves. 1t will waste months of tim
= and spend millions of money, and ell
o courage growing discomfort, and expen
d precious popular enthusiasm-and the
o be obliged to draft. 1t was not prudent
d The people might get disconnected ?
d To this is replied: It was and is necess
l. ry The people must consent to that {
g dismemberment. This call for volul
IS teers is one more step in that just benin
n the tame policy of the war. Voluntee
ing would have sufficed early in the wa
had the administration been wise acco
ding to the exigency. They did not wal
the men that wanted to go. Now'tf
men donot want to 60. Drafting no
will succeed Wait four months an
that will have become four fold mo-
10 difficult than now. Always behind.
:, Hg- We have heard good story Q
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