The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-03
A LESSON FOR THE SOUTH.

! The Polish insurrection is still raging. Tele
graphic advces report great victory at Kanow
on which side, it is not stated.
| The foregoing is an item of foreign news Il
reveals the facts that after a sapgunary contest o
SIX months duration, the Polish revolution still
rears It's form, erect and defiant, against the ggan
tic power Of Russia.
Let for moment glance at the relative pow
er and resources of the belligcrents. Poland has
an area or 4S 900 square nles-or ten thousand
square miles less than the single State Of Georgia
Her population, IN round numbers, is five millions
and the revolution found them without military
Urganization-With few arms-and with pecuniary
resources absolutely less than those OF the State of
Georgia. Russia on the other hand, boasts OF an
area, exclusive of Poland of over two million
square niles--a population of over sixty millions,
regular army of seven hundred thousand men,
with military appointments equal to those of any
natior the face of the earth
We, in the South, groan over the disparity in
material strength between ourselves and the Lin
coin despotism; but what is that disparity compar-
ed With that between Poland and Russia? The
North, say, outnumbers US three to one. Rus
sia outnumbers Poland twelve to one! Lincoln,
with all his absolutsm, cannot avail himself of the
military strength of the North The Russian auto
crat can put half bis millions in. the army. The
Nor7h has a regular force of Is 200. Russia has
try Of 800, 900 square miles, difficult of access by
the enemy-necessitating long and hazardous lines
of Notwithstanding very inadequate
means of subsistence to the foe-more or less un-
healthy and impossible during greater part of
the year-abounding in positions Of great natural
aptitude for defense. Poland, upon the other
hand, is shut up in territory nearly fifth small
er than Georgia alone, densely populated, and all
the elements of supply as accessible to foe as to
friend
But perhaps you think Poland is an inaccessible
country-surrounded by high mountain ranges
with few and easily defensible passes Not So
She has no natural barriers whatever, and may be
pronounced comparatively level country. Fur
thermore, great railway runs from the capital Of
Russia directly throug her territory. How, then,
has she been able so long to battle the designs of
her gigantic oppressor? In 10 other way we be-
lieye, than by the simple herosm of her people.
Years of oppression, under grinding foreign
tyranny, have wrought up her people to the
conquerable determination to die or be free. The
iron has entered their souls, and made every man,
woman and child hero.
We may take it for granted there is no specula-
tion-no boarding for higher prlces-no skulking
or desertion in that country. Every man aud wo-
man is fighting and laborlng for liberty as some
thing dearer than life itself The conditions of
the dreadful struggle seem to us impossible. Po-
aud must again sink more hopelessly under for
eign yoke. But as desperate as are the chances,
We believe there very few croakers and pro-
phets of evil among the Poles They have counted
the costs and made up their minds to the sacrifice.
Iu the face of such spectacle as this, do not
our own conduct and achievements appear most
trifing? If the Poles do not despair, should we
even doubt? Ifthey have possibility of success,
have possibility of failure, outside Of lack
of spirit and energy absolutely disgraceful to US
as people? If We had been ground down by OPP
preston as the Poles have been, aud as we shall
be, should the North bring as under its yoke, the
spirit Of the people would laugh to the Poss.
ibiity of failure would show in month that
subjOgation by the North is a physical imPosS-
bility With the fire and patriotism of the Poles
We should have had peace and independence two
years ago.-Nacon Telegraph.