Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-09-16
. From he Witconsin State journal.
Compliments fF0m an Unexpected Quarter.

" Failure braces them UP even more than
success would elate them So writes the
new American correspondent Of the London
ISDes-said to be a Mr.. NARCOTIC, lately a
member of the Italian chamber deputies--in
speaking of the American army No higher
compliment could he paid to people. In
the letter, from which the above sentence Is
taken, and portion of which we copy in an
other column, he expresses his establishment
at the exhaustless resources of the country
and the indOmitable spirit of It's, people At
ter due allowance for tinge of sarcasm in
his cxaggerati0n of bur eagerEess for making
sacrifices. this correspondent recognizes a
trait IN the American character which has
been wholly overlooked by our enemies abroad
in their predictions of our failure to crush
the rebellion, and of the speedy dissolution
of the Union. That is, the patient and Unwaver
ing persistence of the Northern masses. While
there is an alloy of craven spirits and corrupt
politicians among them crying for peace, be
wailing the expense of defending the nations
life, and ready to conclude an armistice with
rebellion, the mass Of the people, as a whole,
stand firm as a rock, infexible in their reso-
luton to put down treason with the strong
hand, and TO maintain the integrity of the
national boundaries at whatever cost of blood
and treasure. Temporary failure but adds to
the grim earnestneGS of that determination.
Again and again they have seen their prOudest
army beaten back, scattered and bleeding
before an exulting foe. Disasters most unex-
Observation-Disclosures that were deemed impOs-
sble-have overwhelmed it. The keenest
disappointment has lacerated their hearts.
They have been panied, Inundated, sorely
and grieyOusly stabbed in their prOudest
hopes, but they have never for one moment
been shaken in their confidence of ultimate
triumph The decimated ranks have been
filed up; the routed army has been reorgan-
lied increased in numbers and mistaken in
spirit, it has again and again been hurled
against the foe until he has recOiled before
it, demoralized in spirit, and glad to assume
a prudent defensive. The spirit of the people
has risen superior to disaster, until, after long
and bitter trial, victory has again perched
upon our banners.
The spirit which the Times correspondent
describes is one that can only characterize a
great people. 1t is the spirit which gave to
Rome the Empire of the world. The Romans
did not fight better for day than many 9TH
er people. They were sometimes defeated.
They were sometimes apparently on the very
brink Of ruin. But they never despaired of
the Republic Failure braced them up to
new endeavors. Defeat only strengthened
and steeled their indomitable resolution. No
sacrifice of life OF property was counted any
thing in comparison with the national wei
fare The recognition of similar spirit in
the American people brings to memory the
prediction Of an English poet, many years
ago:
q Rome was and Young Atlantis shall become
The wonder, and the terror, and the tomb,
OF all whose steps wake Power luled in its savage