Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-07-23

The lines Of communication Tere necessa-
My Of great length. aud maintained with
difficulty. A large portion Of our forces
we're constantly employed IN this way, and
in garrisoning posts, so thai it was seldom
we we're able to meet the enemy with sure
rior force upon the field.
These immense diticaltlss went far to
counterbalauce our superiority in popula-
tion and resources, aud were SO great as TO
lead military observers throughout Europe
to prophesy, almost with one eccord. that
we could not conquer the Sogtb 1t was
said there was nc instance in history where
so large a population, scattered oFer even
one third of territory so great as that em-
bracsd by the Rebellion. had been subdued.
1t was said we could not conquer space: that
conquest would be a geographical impossi-
bility; that three millions Of men could not
garrison the South; audShat when He had
captured their towns and ovenun The IN
habited parts Of their country, they would
still maintain the war in morass. mountain
and forest, almost impen2rable to regular
armies, until the North, exhausted in blood
and treasure, and broken in hope, would
give up the contest
Such was the belief Of leading military
minds IN Europe, and Of the politicians of
the South when the war began These
opinions seemed well founded 10 reason and
in history, and the suppression Of The Re
bellion, all things considered, may be Justly
regarded as the greatest Of oil military
achievements
The fact that the Rebels fought upon
their own soil, in a country with which they
were familiar, protected from the approach
Of loyal armies by the natural advantages
before described, was full compensation
for the difference between the population
and the resources Of the two sections, and
the fnal triumph Of our arms and the sup
preston Of the Rebellion must be sought for
in other causes
What these causes weyo may be briefly
stated
First, In the strength, courage, and en-
durance impaired TO armies BY the convio-
tion that they are fighting in a just and pa
triotie cause. The hum5lest privates in
our army believed they we're fighting to pre-
serve the best government in the world; to
preserve Liberty and extiugaish Slavery; in
behalf Of Civilization and Christianity;
against advancing Barbarism and Inbu-
manity These convictions gave inspira-
tion, courage, aud hope to the army, and
animated the great mass Of the people Of
the North, who sustained the Government
throughout thecoutcst, constituting an i'm
mense moral power, in opposition to which
the South had but little to offer
The people of the South had bitter rrefa-
dices, which had been carefully f5stered by
designing politicians Many Of them be
lieved in the abstract doctrine, under The
Constitution, Of STATE Sovereignty, and the
right Of secession Some bsliegel in the
rightfalness Of Slavery, but more in its
pro6tablcness, its convenience, and its con-
tribution to luxury and pride But all Of
these constituted no moral power to inspire
the patriot, nerve the soldier, give consola-
ton in the dying hour, or determine people
never 70 SIrls''le', u,, ana 70 struggle On 20
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