Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-24
Raith in Che Cause.


What we want, and what we cannot well get along
vithou Is purer and stronger faith in the cause we
had that faith early in the war; but ii has gradually
dsindIed away A few months ego 1t had almost died
out but withia the as three weeks Heavel be praised
it has greatly revived Sill, there is room for more
faith.
Il may be worth while to inquire why our faith d.
mpished and what Is necessary bring it back to full
life and vgor Doubtless tbs authorities are not blame
less ia this matter; for if mismanagement had not
brought disaster knowedgs would have superseded the
need of faith continued succession of victories would
have made faith superauous.
But the people are not wholly guldess, as may be
readily proven Who they that have all along even in
the darkest hours been strongest in faths The soldiers
uuuuestionably. Who ne1ti The men who have given
most literally of their money and their provisions VINO
least of aIs Those who stood idly by with their hands
fs. cenched upon their pursestrngs, and with never
thought of entering the army or of joining an Ambu-
lance Committee, of attending the hospitals Of subscr-
bling for the benefit of soldiers the families Of SOL
diers or of doing anything whatever for the cause
And what is the reason of tbis' The Good Book
Gays 'FAih without works ia dead" and there is the
whole secret. Sinos then the public faith well nigh
persisted for the want of works. It plain that it Can
only be revived by works. Therein lies the full solution
of the problem "HOW to gain our lost fSithi"
We know the casust may say that impulse pre-
cedes action and that if the unWi.don Of rulers
had not weakened the impeliDg motive to works the
people would never have proved recreant to the
We admit the iorce of the objection but ct the same
time we do net forget that if faith begeis works works
react and beget faith And inasmuch as the present
business is to revive faith we must try the reattonary
force of works.
Let every man, then in his particular vocation, play
the true soldier nearly as possible. Let dim do his
whole duty and leave the rest to his Maker The wagon
is in the mre the way to get it out is to put the
shoulder to the wheel The respondent farmer re-
gain his faith by Smelling out" his corn bay oats, iod
DER tithes Of ell sorts freely, openhandedy, patriot
cay, mAnfuly. The dropping merchant can take quite
another view OF the currency if he will do ali in ais
power to sustain it and persuade his friends to do the
same II the man Of wealth will make it rule TO pay
out something every day to the support of the cause
not subscribe large sum- sigh and 60 away and try TO
forget it-in less than two weeks he will find he begins
20 believe in the success of the cauEoWhich he doing
80 much to aid.
The men of talent influence and position, who have
not wealth. may also lend helping hard. We will
wager that if any sOured politician will join stanhoPe
FournoY and Howell Cobb in speaking in behalf Of the
csuse he will become to its success before bis
six speech aud bis seventh will find him enthusiastic
aud capable of making others enthusiastic as him
self Each man may play his part oaO and all may
do something, and the more do the stronger will be
cur faith. To work, then, right aEay-to work with
hearty good will