The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-09-11
Abiuaoon Dmeinian,
Mr. Rives, Letter.

Mr.. Rives, Letter.
We insert on the first page Of this paper,
the able, patriotic and encouraging letter OF
the Hon. VIM c. Rives to F. B. Dean. ESQ.,
and ask fer it patient and attentive Perusai.
We have read and rs-rsad it, and must con
fes.. altho' far from Responding of eventual
success, that it has greatly encouraged US TO
look forward With more cheerful and animal
ing hope to the hour not distant, when we
will be free and independent people we
call upon all to read the letter, because the
opinion of VIM. G. Rives is worth more than
,ha on;nions Of a thousand bewildered and
faint hearted croakers.
We know that the present hour is dark and
gloomy, but what people struggling Tor nee.
dom ever had all sunshine or an unbroken
chain Of triumphs! Mr.. Rives points US to
Inc dark cloud that overshadowed the FIR
times Of the immortal w ashington and his lit
lie land Of patriots when hunted from hill 70
Hill and from valley te.valley, by proud and
nsolent foe, flushed with repeated victories,
and holding possession not only Of our entire
seacoast, but occupying all our forts and all
our cities. Courage and perseverance, based
unon the broad foundation Of right and JUS
t;ce. rendered them unconquerable, and llber-
tv was the reward Of their gallant and manly
.endurance.
Within the last few weeks, owing to the
fall Of Vicksburg the precari'us situation OF
Charleston and the advance Of Rssecrans and
Burnside into East Tennessee, we have heard
responding homilies and looked upon despair
ing eountenances. We cannot.say that these
have not had their influence in discouragns
others, but we can say that no man who ha'
read and reflected upon the history of the past
has for a moment doubted that the straggi'
wiil eyertuate in eur complete independence
Ii cannot be otherwise, unless we choose g
have it so, for five millions Of free born men
with right and justice on their side, cannot D
subdued by all the Yankees between hell an
Penobseot. They may oyerrun US from tn
Rio Grande to the Susquehanna-t To
Monongalia to the sea-and establish ga'
rison in every city, town and hamlet within
our borders, and after all, they will be Tx
the man with the elephant they won't kn"'
what to do with us. There is spirit IN tn
Southern heart, born and nurtured Of Soutl
ern wrong. that will net and cannot.b be col
auerea. Even if the time Should come befol
the close of this revolution when military 0
CARNATIONS may be impracticable in the mel
tcnance Of our rights, every rock will becon
breast-werk and every cave fort fro
which a perpetual warfare will be waged.-
The spirit Of liberty may be crushed for
time. but it cannot be annihilated. WI
right views and right actions on our part, al
firm reliance on the strong arm OF the O'o
Battles, we are just as sure of final triumE
MS that the sun rose this morning.
But we may conquer and susluga'e OF
sclses-no other c,aen1g can do IT. e ma
the alternative at cur own disposal. Il
choose to Cypress ard devour each other
speculation and extortion. and cripple
noble armies by our avarice and 1--we 81 ga
we will do more toward our own dem"iltl
than a il the Yankees in Abrams dom'nlo
could accomplish to the end Of tine. But
have forgotten ourselves, as we only design
when we picked up the pen, to invite att'
tioa to Mr.. Riiyes' letter.