The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-15

their 'Martinella," and .havo runp il tlay
and night to give due warning Of their
coming. Some-even men of largo in
teilect-took tho ground that the army of
great republic should be as easy to get
out Of as to get into; l. e we should
nave the right to go to our homes at
pleasure, and return to the ranks at the
approach OF the enemy. And so strong.
at one time wore these views upheld,
cated soldier. Soon, however, the
bullets began to whistle, and our poli-
ticians exchanged their swords and mus
keis Tor seats within the halls of Con
gress-an assembly upon which your
eyes we're often fixed with pain and NOR
tlncation-an assembly whose record
Will show 80 much Of evil and so little of
gooo' IN which passion ruled in lieu OF
eoher 5nagment-an assembly controlled
by men whose talents had been used
more to destroy than build up govern
ments. Its leaders, supported by few
penny.a-liners within and without Rich
mond, applied their whole energies
toward throttling those in authority,
seemingly devoid of all idea of that 90.
operation 80 essential in time OF war.
On the other hand, it should be remem-
oered, there was hardly soldier in the
army OF Northern Virginia who did not
know and feel that our only hope of
success was In sustaining the Govern
ment; that to wrangle in Congress was
to cripple our efforts; that change in
the chief magistraoy. at such an hour.
meant interior revolution, and with IL
certain defeat. Yet such change was
boia1y attempted. Among the members
theree!, however. were noble exceptions;
men who we're equal to every sacrifice,
WHO would have done honor to the Roman
Senate in its proudest days of wisdom
and patriotism. But as national as
seLAbly no historian can over-estimate the
grave misfortune it proved to the South
ern Confederaoy. From this Congress
tho poison of dissension and demoraliza-
ton, which is 30 easily distributed, soon
found It's way to every quarter of our
beautiful land. Governors. in some in
stances, stubbornly refused to CO. operate
with the Administration, thus gnawine
at our very vitals. Rarely did they visit
dtlcamond, save for the purpos of fault
hndlng' and complaining that they had
been required to furnish moro men or
money than another State. Deserters
were but seldom returned to the ranks:
they had but little to fear from civil
officers OF State. and could. therefore.
without much difficulty, evade the mill.
tary authorities. Many planters and
farmers became lukewarm. and bepan ia
dream OF the flesh pots they had once
enjoyed. They were led to believe that
If the war should cease, they would be
iei6 ID peaceful possession of their slaves:
thht the worst that could befali them
would he gradual emancipation. They
were so shortsighted as to be totally in.
sensible to the almost universal experi.
ence Of nations, that the conoueror never
falls to exact all, if not more. than he
has fought for. Tho North had riyen
battlo Tor the freedom of the negro. md
the independence of the Southern Con
federacy was the only means to avoid
the Immediate abolition Of slavery, and.
ut the same time, long day and night
OF degradation. Bu4 we were seduced
by false ideas, and were led to expect
concessions which human nature has
rarely had the virtue to grant. We
siumberea beneath the soothing effect of
these deiusions, and, because of the
grasping love of the money invested in
the slave, failed to replenish our deci-
mated ranks by the negro, and awakened
only at the surrender to behold our
conntry's shame aud disaster. Never
did the illustrious Lee utter a greater
truth than when he said, "Our people
have mono to blame save themselves
they do not seem willing to make the
necessary sacrifice"
No people ever had moro to fight for.
and none ever lost more. No people
ever had better material to fill the ranks
OF an army. As ve.owners, VIC pos.
sessed an individuality of character and
devil -me.care independence which pc
culiarly fitted US for war. And if we
search the annals of history, we shall
not lind more fearless and self reliant
troops than those which formed tho
grand old army that stood in front of
the heights of Gettysburg. Is there one
OF us, my comrades, who feels not lust
pride IN the record of the Confederate
soldier, and who bushes not when no
sees in print, at this day, expressions of
regret ut the long continuance of the
struggle. and that after two years we did
not make overtures for peace at any
sacrifice? Peace! Peace at any sacri
tioo' two years after our boast that ono
Southron was equal to ton of the enemy!
Peace so soon, when we would have for
feited the respect Of our own people, in.
CARED the contempt of our foes. and
have been regarded by the civilized
world as indeed unworthy of indepen-