Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-08-25
OUR STRENGTH.

/ We have the authority of our officials for say.
| ing that, at the present time, ourforce would be
numerically the equal of that of the enemy, il
our soldiers were all afeid. Besides this, the
President has called for all the men between
| forty and forty five to join our army. The mum.
| Der OF these in the country is about l68, ,500.-
Deducting fourth for exempts, and we have
more than 1875 900, as an addition to a force that
is now able to confront the foe. We have an
enlisted force now ample to meet our enemies,
and we are calling our reserves more effectually
than they. We have population that iciH main
tain an army much larger than we have yet
brought into the field.
There is no occasion, therefore, for the fear
that our supply of men will be exhausted, or
become insufficient. All that is necessary is fer
us to do our duty. Let US keep down the ex-
emption list. Let soldiers resolve to stand by
their coiors, faithfully. Let citizens unite to
urge them TO their duty, and especially let the
ladies exert their irresistible influence in this
behalf. If we lose our liberties it will not be
because God has withheld from US the means and
the strength to defend them but because we will
have thrown them away through cowardice or
meanness of soul.
The above exhibit is very far from completing
the statement of our capacity for seifdefence. -
The army of seven hundred thousand men, which
We are able to maintain indefinitely, is composed
only of the physically vigorous such as are
able either to fight around Richmond, or to pur-
sue the battle to Gettysburg. But let US, If ne
cessity require, make this war entirely of self
defence and what vast force we could add to
our strength of men unable to stand the march.
None would rush more swiftly and gladly, and
none would fight braver than the youths between
sixteen and eighteen and of these We have, ac-
cording to Mr.. De Bow, nearly 10000. OF the
men from forty-dve to sixty, the very great ma
iority would have the vigor and the will to fight
for their country and men of that age could not
afford to disgrace themselves by want of gall
lantry. Of these we have probably 100000.
Thus we can meet our enemies with more than
million of men under arms, and of brave race
as ever faced foe. The invaders could not
equal this number, if Lincoln were to do his ut
most Besides, ii we stood on the defensive, we
should have the choice of ground for fighting.
In view of all these facts, we would ask the
most despendent man in the land, if his despon-
dency is not disgrace to him We would ask
the veriest craven our 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 our noble struggle. 1t is a
shame, SO much as to give it moments audi
ence. GoD has put the strength in our right
arms wherewith to win our safety. He has sig
nalIy manifested His favor on various occasions.
He is sending distraction among our enemies.-
In His own good time He will raise rs friends,
if we need them. Why, then, should any trem-
BILE. even if his soul were like the aspen?
[Sentinel.