The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-21

Dur people suffered far more than we have
done. Our cities then were almost all
in the hands Of the British, and We were
entirely cut off from all supplies from
abroad, while our facilities for producing
them were infinitely less than they now
are. Greene tells us that the battle Of
Eutaw was won by men who had scarce
ly shoes to their feet or shirts to their
backs. They protected their shoulders
from being CALLED by the bands Of their
cross-belts, by punches of moss or tufts
of grass. A detachment marching to
Greere's assistance passed through q
region sv swept by both armies that they
were compelled to subsist on green
peaches as their only diet. There was
scarcely any salt for fifteen months, and
when obtained, it had to be used sparing-
ly, mixed with hickory ashes. We need
but allude to the terrible winter which
Washington passed at Valley Forge, with
an army unpaid, half starved and half
naked, and shoeless, to convince US that
much as our own brave soldiers are now
enduring, their fathers, for like caase,
endured far more. Washington did
not then despair. Lee does not now
despair of the final triumph of righteous
cause. Why should we be doubtful
much less despondent-o our ultimate
success?
The extent of our territory the food
producing capacity of our soil-the
amount and character of our popula-
tion-are elements of strength which,
carefully husbanded and wisely en-
ployed, are amply sufficient to insure our
final triumph. The passage of hostile
armies through our country, though pro-
ductive of cruel suffering to our people
and great pecuniary loss, gives the en-
emy no permanent advantage or foot
hold.
To subjugate country, its civil 60
vernment must be suppressed by con-
tinuing military force, or supplanted by
another, to which the inha bitants yield
a voluntary or enforced obedience. The
passage of hostile armies through our
territory cannot produce this result
Permanent garrisons would have to be
stationed at a sufficient number of points
to strangle all civil government before it
could be pretended, even byathe United
States Government itself, that its au~
thority was extended over these States.
How many garrisons would it require?
How many hundred thousand soldiers
would suffice to suppress the civil go>
vernments of all the States of this Con-
federacy, and to establish over them,
even in name and form, the authority of
the United States? In a geographical
point Of view, therefore, it may be as
serted that the conquest Of these Com
federate States is impracticable.
If we consider the food producing Ca
pacity of our soil we need feel no appre-
hensions as to our ability to feed the
people and any army We may put into
the field. 1t is needless to go into detail
or adduce statistics in proof of this. 1t
is obvious to every well-informed mind.
Although the occupation by the enemy,
and his ruthless policy of destroying the
harvests, granaries and agricultural i'm
plements Of our people, wherever he
moves, has undoubtedly diminished the
amount of our cereals still, in view of
the fact that in every State, without ex-
ception, it's agricultural labor has been
devoted almost exclusively to the raising
of breadstutfs, while before the war it
was mainly devoted to the production of
cotton, tobacco and other exports, it is
impossible to doubt that there is an
ample supply of food in the country
tits true that the deportation of our
slaves by the enemy, and tho bar
barous policy of arrning them against
us,-a policy reprobated by all au~
thorities on ethics or international
law.-has considerably diminished our
agricultural labor. But when we re-
feet that, in 1850, our exports-alp'ost
entirely the products of slave labor
amounted to $3.50, 900, ,00O two hun
dred and fifty millions of dollars, it-may
be safely assumed that our slaves, though
reduced in numbers, are fully equal to
the task of feeding both the population
at home and the army in the field. Our
transportation, it is true, is defective and
inadequate, but this may be infinitely
improved by more energetic efforts and
more thorough and systematic organiza-
ton. We cannot believe, therefore, that
on our bountiful soil, so richly blessed
by nature, there is any danger of our
failing in this great contest for want Of
food-of our being STARVED into sub
mission to the hateful yoke of the con
queror!
But If we look to the amount and
character Of our population, we see espe
cial reason why we should be encouraged
to hope for-nay, to be assured of-ou'
ultimate success. No people of our mum
-bers can be subjusated, unless, false and
recreant to themselves, their courage
faith and fortitude fail them.