Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-08-25
For The Enquire,
ISSUES OF THE WAR

In looking forward TO the results Of the
present struggle, there are but two issues pos
sible: independence on the one hand and
| suljugQtion on tho other. The latter may
subdivide itself into two forms: suhjusation
by force and fubiugation by appreheasioa.-
In the latter form it is mildly calol recon
struction." which is simply equivalent 10
! suljugation, prematurely acknowledged. Re
construction is the subiugaton Of our will
and our honor, as well as Of our forces. 1t is
the more hopclessly wrc:chcd form of tho two
To subusa:ion by fo7co it bears the same re
iation that seduction bears 20 violence. Not
by it. The two forms &C sub;ugation meet
and constitute one in physical and material
results. But their effect upon character is
widely different; We enter the gate Of recon
struction over the grave Of national honor
After entry subsequent results arc similar.
Some regard Reconstruction" ns sort Of
"ria media" half way between independence
and suhjugation. No such thing. 1t is sub
jugation itself, under a very thin disguise
with infa!ny superaddcd. We are utterly un-
willing to unite again with tie Yankees. II
we consent to do SO it is no voluntary union :;
our wills will haxc been persuaded by bullets
and heavy ordnance orr understandings con-
WINGED By blows aid knocks. We shall have
yielded not to light, but to force, or rather 10
r. 6 rF
but faint-heartedness will be our excuse
One popularity IN oar position 4, a people
deserves particular notice. The vigor, the
energy, the pluck of the country is in the
army. ItNe copntryi is crer betrayed into
false rcQcc, it will be due 10 this fact: Age,
lafrmity tccbleness Of mind and body, tiuliG.
ity, sordidrcss, are left as home. We do not
mean nothing else is.left, but that good ma
terisl is gone there. and much good, and near
~ oil the bad left here. The milk mas been
skinned. Should anychango Of policy come,
any consent to abandon the right Of self-gov-
eminent, and return reluctant, unequal States
into the Union, or b broken down in resiS
lance and unanimity, it will be because skim.
med milk is thin. The army should not iail
to exercise its elective franchise. 1t should
ro,c, and cots ua2erstGRdinyly for, men who
understand the objects it is fighting for will
maintain them Lot this be martsd, remem-
6ered and acfed. The chaii now selects repre-
sentation out Of thechaf Let the wheat aid
tho selection, not excluding the wheat there
from:
Faintheartedness ard indccision now arc
simply ruinous. Nerve, energy, decision
"the courage never to submit nor yield"-
these alone preserve our proper hope Of sue
cess. We did not enter into the resolution
thoughtlessly. Wewe7e prepared to fight for
it, if need be. Consideration properly pre-.
codes action. but the attitude Of action ], es-
seutially different from that of indecision -
This is tho time for stern energy We face
the foe.
Whenever reverscp come, all the atcnt to-
ryism Of the country makes haste TO appear
its faintness of heart and weakness Of knees.
Tinid men, in circumstances requiring ener-
81 and boldness, are prone to leap out Of i'm
mediate danger before they look at their land
ing. From the frying pan into the fire"
they 60; from the fear OF 5uhjusation into the
reality. They embrace ruin TO avoid danger
Of ruin. The fear of defeat is often father to
thetdct. But Nerve has better children
even Independence and Peace. Independence
must be The first born Of ,rar, however; for if
Peace como first, Independence will never fol-
low.
Peace between us and the North means some
thing very different from peace between other
powers--as France, Grca. Britain or Austria.
They have, when at war, some particular
ground of controversy, est-insic, relatively un-
importaut-some mere point. Oars is vial.
Peace is most delnsiveword in this conncc
-. - II L.. T.. I
our new relation-with the condition annex
ed that we should be perpetuallY poworless-I
The basis of the idea of reconstruction is terms
make terms while we can. Terms. indeed
We had terms before separation. There is but
one term, one Condition Of safety, and that is
power. What will have been the great les
son taught to the Yankee nation By the war,
terminating in reconstruction. SO called? The
reconstructionist may think the lesson to be
this: THAT we are powerful people, with
whose rights it is dangerous to tamper"-uot
that our enemy will conclude simply. "that we
are wnlPT" That We will not. dare resist
again: or, if We do, with no hope of success.
ofconqueror and conquered-to claim indem-
nifty, paying expenses, security, d:sarming US
lest We DO SO again: revenge, holding rs
uOWu anu hSepluS Us uoNu. NpN Va ieNCk,
we gain our independence; the first struggle
is the successful struggle
We observe with pleasure the symptoms Of
returning confidence. Our morale is very i'm
portant. Every symptom Of weakness redou-
bles the energy of the enemy,and awakens his
arrogance. We can afford no thought Of fail !
ure. Upon this movement we have stakcd
literally our all. Success is tho fate of the |
Netherlands-prosperity and peace. Failure,
the fate Of Poland, of Italy, of all oppressed
nationalities. The most powerful motives
urge US to re.olute and determined action
The effects Of failure on the south-its iuati. !