The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-08-25
THE SITUATION OF THE CoNFEDE-
RACY.

4 buoyant spirit again peryades our people.
We receive, indeed, an occasional word Of despon-
dency from correspondents remote from the post
offices. But this is only the effect of the wave
which first swept US. Fashions make their
first impression in the city, bat the impression lin
gers longest in the country So With news and
the impression made by news. Our good friends
to whom the comes last in some eases
still suffering from the dependency of which all
others have become ashamed.
Nor does this increase of courage and confidence
rest alone on the natural reaction In the spirit of
brave man. That alone ought to suffice The
courageous sou may truly feel the shock Of adyer-
sity, but it soon finds support in its generous
instincts aud innate maghanimity. A brave man
angels and men to admire. There are material
reasons, however, reasons based on facts and fig
ures, which justify that confidence which now aui-
mates the hearts of our people.
In a recent article, we showed that Lincoln
could never hope to make his army as large as 1t
has been that the exhaustion al his population,
and their opposition to the war, had progressed to
that degree which would make it impossible for
him repeat in the future the efforts of the past
We now wish to present some data by which to es-
tinlate our own strength.
Mr. DeBow, the eminent statistcian of the Re
uic,o which bears his name, has made an exhibit
of the lighting population of our country. He
makes very fair deduction of our losses in conse-
quence of the position of Maryland, Kentucky,
Missouri and portions of Virginia, Tennessee, Lou
isiana and Arkansas. He then shows that our
male population between the ages of eighteen and
forty five amounts to 1881 500. Deducting one
fourth for exempts, Ga very large allowance,) we
have SS0100 men. We have lost many men in
the war; but the natural flow of population has
gono faS to replace them. During the two years
of hostilities, not less than 10000 males have
passed from under to over eighteen years sfage.
Mr. DeBow estimates from these figures that sin
no event during long war can the Confederate
strength be reduced under 100000 men, if the
people are in earnest" This is an army ample
for all our possible necessities
: have the authority of our officials for saying
that, at the present time, our force would be nu-
lnerically the equal of that Of the enemy, if oar
soldiers were all in the field. x =:
In view Of all these facts we would ask the
most Respondent man in the land, if bis despon-
dency is not disgrace to him? We would ask
the verest craven in midst, how 1t Is possible
that We should be conquered? Let us forever
Danish from our minds the faintest thought of a
calamitous result to noble struggle. 1t is
shame so much as to give it moments audience
God has put the strength in our right arms where
with to win our safety He has signally nantes
ted His favor on various occasions He is send
ing distraction among our enemies. In His own
good time He will raise friends, if need
them. Why, then, should any trenble, even if
his soul were like the aspen?- Richmond Sentinel