Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-17

YTHE vial Of wrath seems not TO have bSen COM
4 pleteIy exhausted with the fall of Ssvannak.-
Fort Fisher has also fallen. We had expected this
long since Indeed We did not see how 1t pos
ble tor an isolated fortress TO stand the reiterated
attacks Of such an armament was brought against
it. II fell at last by the assault Of overwhelming
numbers. Il could never have been taken by sea
We have had occasion frequently TO remark that
Nl- fortune never comes singly. When it once be-
gins, II Is pretty sure TO its course. The only
wav TO meet it Is with an nyincble frmness, which
must. in the ehd tire it out. This hope and be-
lieve our people are prepared 20 do. II is wonder
ful, indeed, that We have any seaport remaining ;
that the enemy, possessing such aest as he has at
command, and we having none at all he did not
sweep all Of them before the seconAyear OF the war
had been brought 10 a close
The loss Of Fort Fisher involves We suppose, the
stopping Of the blockade running In future, We
shall have nc more importatious from Europe. This
WI be a great Inconvenience certainly, but it by
no neansdeciies ~ question Of independence or
admiration That question has yet 10 be settlcdOn
the battlefield, where we have nothing to fear as
lsng as cur enemies are not than three to cne
The Coufederacy survive the loss Of Fort
Fisher and Of Mobile and Of every other seaport in
its possession But it cannot survive the decay Of
spirit aud the loss Of determination on the part OF
IFS people That is a thing which it has more cause
10 fear than.al other things put together Let tie
peogle but be tru-let them show'a determuation
to resist TO the last and the last doar-and the
CAPTURE Of our seaports will not be Of the importance
we are apt TO sssigu TO \. We lost New Orleans
aud survived it. We lost the navigation Of the Mis-
sssipp! and survived il; lost Savannah and sur
rived it, We can, therefore, We suggest, stand the
loss Of Fort Fisher.
General Grant in a conversation lately with
Confederate officer, paid the Confederate soldiers
the tribute O. saving that they were the most gal
laut troops iu the world upon the held OF battle,
but claimed for his own mougrei assortment Of ne
grles, Dutcumeu, Yankees and IrishmCn, the cred
Il OF superior perseverance. The claim Is not just
No people ever perseyered more herocally than
our troops have done. Had Grants myrmidons ey-
err been subjected 20 eEe-half the priyations they
have endured they would have disbsnded long ago.
They have been fighting one % three all the war
They have endured the extremes OF cold and hun
ger in a mauner that has never been surpassed
They have never been beateubut by superior num-
Ders If they had not been the NEST perseveriug
troops thar ever trod the battlefield, they would
have been subdued years ago. The Yankees could
never stand what they have stood. Had their fields
been wasted their towns burned, their women aud
children murdered and insulted as ours have been,
they would have given UP long ago. To be sure, of
ter having been beaten having unlimited RESOURCES
AZ command they have been enabled to recruit and
come back: but they have always had full commis-
sariat an overdyvg treasury plenty OF clothes, ana
plenty of medicine while We have been wofully de-
e.;art a.. IN rfesa uDints They wCul1 never have
persevered as our poor boys have done.
And they viii continue 70 persevere. Whatever
croaLers and traitors may say at home 10 excite dis
may aud weaken the cause, tie army is true 10 tie
backbone. i is fun OF life and vivacity, sanguine
of suecsss and careless Of the labCrs and pers by
which il Is TO be Won. In that noble army We place
our faith. They do despair Of the Republic, and
until they do, nobody ought.