The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-18
THURSDAY. AUGUST 10, 1854.
SHALL WE GIVE Up the CoNTEs7

IL cannot be denied, and should not, Il II
eould, be concealed, that the people in the
North have, within the last few weeks, been
Considerably depressed In spirit with regard to
the situation OF the national armies in Vir-
glnia and Georgia. They have not moved
6rward a. rapidly and successfully as was
wished, while some reverses have been met
with which were not, perhaps, expected
But the masses Of our population have been
20 little accustomed 10 war that they natu-
rally form an undue appreciation Of Its diff
cul&ies, delays and misadVentures; and are,
therefore, too easily elated by success or
discouraged by failure.
1t q, however, nearly time that experience
bad taught them more wisdom in this respect.
They should have learned ere this that war,
especially on grand scale, is no such busi-
ness ~ may be regulated in Its movements
and results with mathematical certainty, and
that while decisive victory may be long
postponed, Il Is not necessarily 70 be despaired
Of This Il especially true where the opposing
beliGerents are so nearly matched as to pro-
tract hostilities for a long period Of time,
VITA alternate gains and losses on both sides; (;
we should never forget that the question of
ultimate triumph for either party is really a
question Of endurance.
Bearing, then, this fact In mind, and view
ing the war, at this stage of It, In the light of
that fact, there certainly Is much to inspire
the friends Of the national cause with undl-
minlshed hope and faith. There ls a vast diff
ference between the strength of the North and
the South as respects all the essential re-
sources for the prosecution of the war, No
one can fail to see that this section has vastly
the advantage.
1t has ten, II not sttWenty times the military
power Of tkdsseceded States in men, money
} snd ayesz3 other respect. Hence, If the con
(, test must be reduced at last to the simple
problem of which party to it can bear i
longest, the plainest calculation, based on thu
census tables, will show that the nationa
armies must eventually prevail, provided tn,
people, who have thus long sustained it, viii
not utterly give 1t up, through a blind anC
weak impstience to hurry the strife to an inn
possible or dishonorsble conclusion.
II would surely be no less marvellous than
disgraceful, II the people, who remain at home
IN peace and comfort, should evince less forti-
tude and persistence in the strife for the pre-
seFvation Of the Government than the sol
dlers. The army manifests no symptoms OF
dependency or Of disposition to abandon the
conflict only because 1t is prolonged. Even
eur Revolutionary war lasted seven years,
though Its most famous battles were but
sAdrmishes In comparison with the terrible
engagements that have taken place within the
last three years and half between the Ma
tional and Rebel forces and yet our father
perseYered through all encouragement and
disasters until they won at last, against the
most formidable military power in the world
the glorious prize for which they contended.
And shall their descendants be less patriotic
and pertinscious now In defending, against
domestic traitors, the inestimable heritage of
political liberty and independence which they
achieved and bequeathed to us? Surely not,
unless we are most unworthy custodians of
the great trust they confded to our charge.
We must not give up the war because we
are growing tired of it. II Rome was not built
in day, neither was any great empire ever
saved In day, against intestine or foreign
foes. II takes time to accomplish all grand
undertakings, and the grandest of all is the
salvation Of the proudest and mlghtiest expert
meat Of popular government of which history
has any record. We must persist, then, to
the end. There Is virtue in endurance. God
viii help those who help themselves, and if
we are but true to the cause, 1t must and
will finally triumph.