The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-02
Re,r.sf = the peHbtess.

The Richmond correspondent of the Lon.
A,n Times refers to the undoubting faith 1
the North that the Stars and Stripes will ul'
timately assert their ascendancy over the Sc
ceded states, and contrasts this firm assu-
rance with the absurd and irrational des-
pondency and doubt which all our marvel
Ions military successes have not been able
to dispel from some minds in the South.
The Tmes's correspondent will do us
seryice IL he can shove the croakers and
Rrumblen into O more hopeful and manly
attitude; but We submit that they are not
the true exponents of the spirit and senti-
ment of the country. Coming in contact
chiefly with citizens, and not with soldiers,
It ID natural that stranger ehould express
the opinions we find 10 the letters of the
Times. But the country b now to be found
in the army, not among those who stay at
home. The heart, the brains, the bravery,
the patriotism, the chivalry of the Confede-
rate States are to be found in front Of the
foe, and not In the pursuits of civil life We
must look to the army If We want to know
whether the faith and hope Of the South arc
equal to the hope aud faith of the North in
the issue Of this contest. And never did
hope and faith burn brighter in human
hearts than in those which are ready to shed
their last drop Of blood in the cause. 1t is
stAted by those who have recently visited the
army that 1t is really relief to get away
from the gloomy atmosphere Of trade and
speculation and mingle with the fighting
men; it raises the spirits, Strengthens the
faith, and animates the hope to come in con-
tact with the veterans who, for three years,
have fought triumphantly against the great
est odds the North could bring, and who feel
As sure that they can whip her az ain as that
they have whipped her hundred times be.
fore.
We do not consider that all the noacom-
batants of the country are faithless and des'
pendent. But many Of them are old men
and unnamed by the infirmities of age; and,
many more so immersed in the pursuits of
money getting, that the sentiment of patriot
ism has nearly died out. Others are natu
rally timid, and have the instinct of self:
preservation, which has kept them out OF
the army, unduly developed. Others are
ultfinders and factionists, who are more
intent upon gratifying their personal preju
diees than solicitous for the success of the
cause Then there are the constitutional
croakers, the frogs and bats and owls, who
delight in darkness, and who are never so
happy az when they are miserable. The
smallest cloud In the sky is lhagniied into
a coming thunder storm, and a regular thun-
der storm into the end of the world. Even
when weore victorious, their utterances of
emulation are as lugubrious as the growing
of Shanghae cock, and intimate in every
tone doubt Of the permaneney of good
fortune. If they were good for anything, ii
they were even ft to be eaten, their necks
ought to be wrung, and their carcasses, care
fully packed in salt and ice, sent on to the
army.
Without hope and faith neither man nor
Of our home people which is vexing the ears
ofthe world with their disconsolate hootipgs
were fair representation Of the Confederate
people, We might well despair of the future
But the army is the people, and the army
never doubts, and has as little respect for the
crOakers In Its rear as the open enemies in
its front And the large majority even of
those who remain at home never permit
themselves to question the ultimate result
OF the contest. In view Of the gigantic
Efforts OF the foe, and the resources in men
and means which the whole world has placed
at their disposal, our people may well feel
profound solicitlde, a sentiment which is
dcepened by the singular incompetency' of
their COngi ess to solve the difficulties OF
our financial affairs, and their morbid def
cheney of GOODNESS and promptness in meet
ing the military exigencies of the occasion.
But were they to doubt for q moment the
ultimate success of the South, there would
be preparations for such an exodus from the
South as has not been witnessed since the
children of Israel left Egypt. If we have not
hope in the final triumph of our cause, what
earthly thing have We to hope in? No hope
OF country, no hope Of home, no hope of
human happiness in any form is permitted
us, no resting place for the doves weary
feet, except the Ararat of Southern hide
pendsnce.