The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-01-25
SAVANNA !. oURS.n

military achievement, but it is worthless
as IN agency Of reconstruction., II proves
that Sherman is skilful general; but no
military genius is capable Of rrjoining the
broken links of sectional concord and fra
ternlty. The political welfare Of our coun-
try depends upon slatesmanship and pa
trlptlsm, not upon ability and heroism in
The field. Those that purpose the extermi-
nation OF the Southern people may con-
gratulate themselves as, step by step, the
sword pursues its mission Of destruction,
but The patriot has only cause to mourn at
The tidlngs Of the fall Of Southern strong
holds, the occupation OF Seathern cities,
aud the rout of Southern armies. If, by
striking down 80 many men upon the field
d battle, Or BY hslding so many square
miles OF territory under the stern rule Of
the bayonet, we could bend the stubborn
spirit OF resistance, or restore the old feel
Ing Of brotherhood that created the Re-
public, there would be some reason to re-
joice at the progress Of the Federal arms.
But every victory plants new germ Of bit
ternsss and hatred, and in proportion as the
Fedesal armies advance the spirit Of recon.
Citation recedes, leaving the fruits oil dis
cord and contention 10 mature in the path
Of conquest and desolation.
Savannah has fallen, and the popular ex.
pectation eagerly awaits the intelligence
That Wilmington has succambed. What
them What if, besides, the pride Of
Charleston should be humbledsf What il
Mobile should be captured and Richmond
should yield 10 the veteran hosts of Grant:
The possession Of brick and mortar, and
deserted streets does not give the conquer
OF control over the hearts Of living men.
Napoleon issued his bulletins from al.,os,
every capital 10 Europe. but from all ,he
vast area OF bis conquest he was unable, ir
the end, to claimas much ground as would
suffice him for grave.
The capture oil the ports on The Southern
coast would cost the Nsrth rot only the
price Of capture, bat the price Of otcupa.
lien ; ami the Southern ariniss weuld be
recruited in proposition, By the release oI
thousands OF their Soldiers from garriscu
duty. The old men OF the sea would hs
shifted irem Confederate TO Federal sheul.
sers, aud The armies Of tho North, grosp.
ed st intervals along the coast from Nor.
folk 10 New Orleans, would waste thsil
strength IN watching stone walls end eciel
harbors. while their enemies wop.t. be cor.
centrating for active operations ii Tie 10
terror. l, is true that ihe channel of suY.
plies from foreign markets would BE- block.
ed; hat = psople thar are lighting for indie.
pendpnce reed bot the fruits Of their ma
tive soil for sus;snsnce and the iabr,cks q
their own handsfnr clothing.
Masipn's frugai repsst and hissrsdc shsl.
ter in ihe CarriiIa swamp. did not weaker
bis Suscles ur su5aue his spirit. TIE
Wild caucasisns, In their mountain fast
nessss, hrmmed in on every side, were
able to basIc the vast armies of Russia fol
NEARLY halt century. The only question
is, whether the Southern people have as
much fortituds and love Of liberty as those
haf.civtlizsd roontainesrs. The ques
tiun is answered when we call TO minis
tbet they are Americans, The noble descsn.
dsRis uf our revolutionary fathers and The
/ lsgstess " freedom. To such men sSvsr
sity is strength. They are ike the ma.
rlners, who sleep in the sunshine, bGl
when tho storm races and danger sssail,
them on every side, thsy rally to the sbril
sound sf ,hs SoatswAin's Whistle, aae
spring, AZ life and zsal and fearlessness
10 their allotted duties. After every dis.
ss,er 70 the Cerfederate arms. q cry, not o
terror o. iaint-hsartsdness, but Of rage anl
proud defiance. has gone forth from tb,
Souih, moro thrilling ard expressive q
their indomitfbls win than any shout o
victory. So viii il be 70 ths end. snd 90
ly when every Southern suies is hushsd i,
death will that cry be s;iilei. Even then
no where will be heard the accents Of svb
mission, bat the silencs Of the wildsrnesl
will reign anid thegrayes ol q slaughtered
4 nsnnls and the ruins az their hnmss