Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-07-20
The Situation of Affairs.

y ~
gallant leaders and noble soldiery killed,
wounded and taken prisoners,-and the sur
render OF Port Hudson-all crowding thick
and fast upon the country, have produced
unusual sadness and gloom, even In the
minds of the most sanguine and confident
It cannot be denied that it is a dark hour for
the Southern case, but not more SO than
others through which we have passed to the
bright days of success and prosperity.
And that so it will be in the present case we
have an abiding and inspiring faith to believe.
For more than a year we have been accus-
toned to the most brilliant victories, with
scarcely a discontinue of any kind to mar
their grandeur and glory. God had crown
ed our arms with such signal and marked
triumphs that we grew vain-glorious and
boastful, and gave to mar the glory that be-
longed to Him. And now he has rebuked
and humbled our pride and arrogance, by
suffering the enemy to visit chastisement
upon us. Let us kiss the Christening hand
( that has hitherto given us the victory, betake
ourselves to penitence and prayer, and He
will again prosper the right, and from behind
a frowning providence reveal a shining face.
The fall of so many of her brave sons,
most justly fills the South with mourning !;
but there is nothing in the aspect of affairs
to cause gloom and dependency with regard
to the success of our struggle. Gen. Lee is
still in the enemy's country, and according
to his own representations to President Da-
Wis instead of being whipped" and his ar
my utterly routed, broken up and democrat.
lied, S .the vaporing yankee liars claimed,
has inflicted the ~seVerest damage on the
Northern army it has ever sustained, and is
perhaps before this time laundering at the
gates of the Lincoln capitol. Gen. Lee tells
the President that this is the situation of af
fairs with him, and no true Southern man
isurely, can believe that he would deceive his
n government by communicating a iaisenood Il
cover up a defeat.
We have an abiding confidence in Lee
Ewell, Longstreet, Hill and the noble ARM
under ther command, and just as firmly a.
we believe in the justice of our cause, so con
fdently, under the blessing Of God, do We ex
pect success to. crown their efforts in what.
ever they undertake. Let us not doubt, an,
blame, and criticise-but let US put our trus
in God, with an humble reliance upon Him
constantly beseech that His arm of powe
and protection may be stretched out over u
and give US the victory, and all will worl
right.
But, we must bring to bear against on
gigantic enemy all the power and energy {
the Southern Confederacy. The recent sue
cesses Of the northern army have infamed th
yankee war spirit to its highest pitch Be
fore these events, there was an increasin
number in the north who called for peace
But now we hear of nothing but subiugatie
and war to the knife. Lincoln has called f
three hundred thousand more troops, an
they are already being raised with an alacr
ty and spirit never before known in til
north. ALI hope, therefore, of a peace, no
rests with God upon the triumph of Oh
arms.
We must therefore look these stern fac
steadily in the face, and every man prepa,
;. to enter the field. This war has never. befo
assumed such gigantic proportions. We a
now just entering upon its most fearful res
: tiles. The very existence of the Confederat
. and the lives and liberties of all, and ever
L thing we have, to hope for, are at stake, al
call urgently for the service and devotion
4 every man. It will be seen by reference
? another column, that President DAVIS b
u called for all 6etaoeen the Gges Of 10 and 10
under the conscript act Let not only this c.
be promptly responded to, but lie; every IN
. over 45 who is capable of bearing arm
/ rise up to the necessities of the oct
J sion. Ii we do this, we can successful
$ contend against them, as we have done /
fore. If we fail to meet the emergency,
shall be o~verrun, ruined-with the certa
s. loss of life, liberty, family, property and
9, cry thing that renders life desirable.
f.
9 It is frequently asked, will the 1000 II