Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-19
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS RIGHTS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
,-u.D1V wopN1Nc IAN. 10. 1854,
TUESDAY MORNING, JAN. 10, 1854.
Mystsr;Ous and Melancholy MstamOr phi OsIs

Some years ago-not more than two, OF, at tbs out
side thrae-the world was startled by the sudden ap-
psaranee in the New Hemisphere Of a numerous and
very warlike people. They were from FIVE to eight
millions strong occupied vast and exceedingly fertile
territory and at the tins were engaged in bloody war
against people thres times numerous, who disputed
their right Independence So far from being ignorant
barbArans as the world had been led to believe the
new people discovered military aud civil talent of
high order They claimed Indeed to be far superior to
their enemies in every respect Their own account
Of themselves, as given in sundry newspapers which
found their way to civilized nations, was emnentiy
eharaci eristic of profound self-esteem.
They asser ed that they of different type and BET
ter race than the people against whom they were Warrng
and with whom they had once lived in common They
declared that they homogeneous, while their enc
mics were heterogeneous They styled themselves the
chivalry of the lsh century, aud sgnazsd their foes
As pedars They we're moral and religious; their late
partners immoral and ianatca They were truthful and
honest the Yankees flor so their enemies were caled
were liars fcm the womb and cheats by profession
Iu the common government which existed previous TO
the war; their civil cheitans had ruled successfully for
more than half century these statesmen being with
dismay upon the people who were foolish enough to
remain under them. Such were the claims set up by
the new candidates foe the worlds acknowledgment.
For time their claims we're made good both in the
field and the councils. Europe rang with praises OF
their bravCry and the elevated dicton OF their
Sao papers * or.ed the admiration of those who
hated them and beg,udg,d them every success. When
pressed back by dint OF overwhelming numbers and
want Of timely preparation their fordtude and stub
bornness excited fresh and enthusiastic admira-
ton on all sides No one doubted their final success
Sensible men everywhere predicted it. For their firm
ness 10 adversely and their moderation in success were
eous led only by the brutal coWardice and unblushing
mendaoity Of their foes On the one side, was every
proof Of just and superior people; on the other
thousand evidences OF tyranny and an inferior moral
and in elIsctual nature Who could doubt tina. right
would triumph over wrOng9
Strange TO say, this new and heroic race, which gave
such brilliant promise, has disappeared as suddenly
as it appeared; and, by metamorPhOas IN
pAraleled in the pages of fiction, given way to people
every whit bad if not worse, than the Yankees. If
recent issues Of the dngy newspapers which three
years ago brealhed so defiant tone, and such con-
scousness Of superiority may be trusted, the once no.
BILE popa lGoa Of the South has become utterly extinct
Patriotism dead; credit is dead; the army is reduced
TO handful corruption and fraud stalk in high places
the finances are in runs food is neatly exhausted;
torton and speculation rule supreme; not particle of
craftsmanship is displayed; Congress has gone mad;
civil liberty threatened the hands Of the friends of
the Cdef Magistrate; civil ability has persisted; military
talent is rapidly waning and, what Is worse than al,
the people are begtudgng foSd and clothing TO their
sons who are 6ghting and have Lven themselves up,
tue men drinking aud the greed of gain, and the
women to paint and exposure of their persons.
Worse yet everybody Is frightened becirs fOrsoOth
some hundred Of thousands Of Yankees (uesrly two
millions of whom have already been Whippei) are
coming next spring.
OF course these are not the people who inhabt
ell the South three years ago. diaOOlical and mex
pIicabe me amOrphoss has been wrought. An infer
nal and ncomprehensols transmutaon has taken place,
If the original race Of SoutherHer1 remained, they
would again rush TO ara and deea. their cruel and
cowardly foe they have done before Their States
in legislative COUNCILS would with one hand consgn
10 everlasting dersOn the silly schemes for the over
throw Of the public liberties and with the other devise
those temperate and determined measures which the
pers Of tie hour demanded and which be.oken a. once
the WISE cool head and the stout, unchanged heart
As for the people who have taken the place Of the
Souherners it is impossible to cay Ehat they will do
uDeas another metamOlphOss not less marvellous than
tee frs. be wrought it is matter Of no moment what
whether they do or do not do anything a. ell II
get back the old people, all fanced real diff
cules will vanish before their courage and supreme
love of freedom. Ii cannot get them back, then
the game is up. people unfit for liberty will never
win it and il isA waste of time to try to make them
tight or egisllts for it