Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-04
Thu aprospect-

We have never belonged to that class who
dobted or Responded of the excess of the
SodheFn arms, nor Rave we concu-red in
oHiion with those who believe that years
ofIsoody strife we're get before US before
pece and independence would crown the
struggles of our brave troops in the Geld
Wehave agreed in the view, that our Gov
ernnent and people should prepare and re-
sol@ to fight on, fight ever" though this
sho1ld be the case but we said at the com
increment ofthis year, that we believed the
stnggle would be over before ths year 1868
was brought to q close and we believe so
yet And we are glad TO see that we have
SO discerning an ally in these hopeful antici-
palens as our most excellent contemporary,
the Fayetteville Observer from which we
quote the following.
IHE PRosPECT.-It seems to US that upon
the events of the next thirty days will de-
pend the result of the present great struggle.
Villain that brief period the term of enlist
ment Of a very large portion of the yankee
army will expire. Will they voluntarily re-
enlist ? 1t is scarcely possible that they can
be induced 10 do so, sick of the war as they
areknown to be, and I~ninfuenced by any
such considerations as compel our Southern
troeps to continue in service to defend their
homes against eonfiscation and their families
against outrage and murder. Defeated, dis
heartened, disgraccd, in the eyes of the world,
if not in their own, by their vile conduct not
less than by their failure of their grand ar
mics to overcome a people SO inferior in
numbers and so i'll prepared for the contest,
it is not to be expected that they will remain
in the field one hour longer than they are
compelled to do. Will they be compelled ?
VIII one part of the yankee army receive or
ders to compel the other part to remain after
the expiration of their term of service ?
Ard if so will they obey any such orders ?
These are, questions which only time can
answer. We must wait until the middle of
May to see what course events will take, as
sured that if the yankee army dwindles away
from the departure of these hundreds OF
thousands whose two years term of service
will expire, there will be a virtual end of the
wal, for it is not likely that another power
full army can be raised, certainly not by vol
untary enlistment, and the indications Of
popular feeling lead us to believe net by
I'D
Bot in the mean time events may occur
to change the whole aspect of affairs. I
great battle, with victory in our favor, woulc
strengthen the probabilities of peace which
we indul ge from the above view ofthe situa-
ton. So a great yankee victory would
revive the dropping spirits of the enemy
More than one such great battle is likely t.
take place. We may look for one'i in our ow
State. Longstreet may fight another a
S~uffo!k. Bragg or Johnston still another il
Tennessee. But above. all, we hear iron
many sources that Gen. Lee is about to eros
the Rappahannock to commence offensiv
operations against Hooker. The effect Q
such a movement will be great, either on
way or the other. If he should strike a Sc
we're blow there, Hooker's army would mel
away, no amount of persuasion or compulsiol
would keep'them III the field.
These are of course but speculation
They affect US pleasantly, for we hope an
believe that results will be ordered Alright
In The mean time, let US hopefully and pray
erfrdly await the progress of events durin
the next thirty days.