Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-26
a Lesson for the South.

- ~~SSoA AOA VIZ tS00JA'
The Polish inSurrect;on is still raging.
Telegraphic adYices report a great yicto-
ry at Kanow, on which side, it is not
stated.
The foregoing is an item of foreign
news copied from Northern papers ofShe
9th instant, which contain European dates
10 the Oath Aug. ItreEcals ths fact that
after sangulnaly contest OF six months
duration, the Polish revolution still rears
its form, erect and defiant, against the
gigantic powers Of Russia.
Let US for moment glance at the rel.
atlve power and resources of tbs bsliie-
ereats. Poland has an area of 48, 900
square miles-or ten thousand square
miles less than the single State of Geor.
gia. Her population, in Iouna numbers,
is five millions, and the revolution found
them without military organization
with few arms-and with pecuniary re-
sources absolutely less than those Of the
State of Georgia. Russia, on the other
hand, boasts of An area, exclusive Of Po-
land, of over two millicn square miles
population Of over sixty millions, a
regular army of seven hundred Thousand
men, with military appointments equal
to those of any nation on the face Of tho
earth.
we, in the South, groan over the dis
part" in material strength be-! ~een our
selves and the Lincoln .despoCsn but
what is this disparity compared with that
-. elTss o., ssssseaS..z
Russia outnumbers Poland twelve TO onsi
Lincoln, with all his absolutism, cannot
avail himself of the full military strength
Of the North. The Russian autocrat can
put half his millions in the army. The
Nsrth has a regular force of Is 5,OOO.-
Russia has a regular force of zoo Co.,
Is We have yet country of 600,O square
miles, difficult Of access by the enemy
necessitating long and hazardous lines of
communication -afording very made
quate means of subsistence to the foe
more or less unhealthy and impassable
during greater part OF the year-aboun-
ding in positions of great natural apti-
tude for defense. Poland, upon the 9TH
er hand, is shut up in territory nearly
q fifth smaller than Georgia alone, dense
ly populated, and all the elements of
supply as accessible to foe as to friend.
But perhaps you think Poland is an
inaccessible country-surrounded by
high mountain ranges, with few and
easily defensible passes. Not SO. She
has no natural barriers whatever, and
may be pronounced comparatively level
country. Furthermore, great railway
runs from the capital of Russia directly
through her territory. How, then, has
she been able so long to battle the designs
Of her gigantic oppressor? In no other
way, we believe, than by the simple he
roism of her people.
| Years Of oppression, under a grinding
foreign tyranny, have wrought up hei
people to the unconqderable determine
tion to die or be free. The iron has en-
tered their souls, and made every man
woman and child hero.
We may take it fer granted there is n
speculation-no boarding for highs
plices-no skulking OF desertion in tina
country. Every man ali woman is fight
ing and laboring Tor liberty as somethin
dearer than life itself TIE condition
of the dreadful struggle seem to US i'm
; possiblet Poland must again sink NOR
j hopelessly crushed than ever undel fo
; eign yoke. But as desperate as are til
, chances, we believe there are very fe
croakers and prophets Of evil among til
Poles. They have counted the costs all
I made up their minds to the sacrifice.
t In the face of such a spectacle as thi
dc not our own conduct and achieve
: ments appear most trifingi If th
K Poles do not despair, should we sv,
n doubt? If they have a possibility
IT success, have we possibility of failur
: outside of lack of spirit and enerp
It Absolutely disgraceful to us as a peopls
|: If we had been ground down by opDres
le ion as the Poles have been, and as v
ii shall be, should the North bring US u,
der its yoke, the spirit of the peop
.p would laugh to scorn the possibility
" failure-would show in menth that su
1t jugstion by the North is physical in
vs possibility. With the fire and PATRIOTS
r of the Poles, We should have had pea
g.. and independence two years ago.
.is 4aeon (Ga.) Telegraph.