The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-16
TnEIosT CAUSE.
The EGOrt 10 Regain It-Address Of Capt.
Nlamff. Sod 7Ls

II Nv AnNEN " NAIkuANl AN-AANEtLI ~ C4uE
AIailtt.
Capt. John N. Mafitt delivered the I'D,
dress at the Confederate Memorial Day
service in Wilmington, N. O., on Friday.
The following extract will show the kind
Of talk most applauded in the South:
1.-THE late Emperor Of France, In an in.
formal interview with one Of our quasi.
representatives, In expressing this feeling,
remarked that II the Confederate States
would guarantee the prospective freedom
Of her slaves the paramount obstacle toher
recognition would DO removed. A three
years desperate struggle against the mex.
haustible advantages possessed by the
North had demonstrated that our re.
sources were rapidly becoming depleted.
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was
staring Us In the face, clearly e"nunciating
what we had TO expect Ia the event
Of being defeated by the Overwhelming
power Of the North. Unprepared
for the unexpected resort to arms
we were necessarily dependent up.
on the workshops Of Europe for the prose-
cution Of the war, and our choice, like
that Of the Captain Of 0 ship In q storm,
was between two evils-the loss ola part
OF four cargo or the sacrifice Of our whole
ship Of State. Could this question have
been submitted TO the people Of the South
lin view Of the countless sacrifices they
had already made for the Cause-I cannot
but think their consent would have been
obtained. The recognition and friendly
aidof France In the darkest hour OF the
revolution secured the independence Of
the united colonies at Yorktown, Had
We secured the recognition and aid Of
either ofthese great powers, success would
have crowned our efforts and enabled US
to obtain an honorable and satisfactory
peace. Failing in this, the Coniederacy
had no choice but to carry on the war 10
the last extremity. Overcome by superior
numbers, she at least died with her har.
ness on, and fought like o nation that de-
TO be free.
: 1.-THE day is approaching when an un.
prejudiced historian, with the devoted
perseverance Of a st. Jerome, will produce
for the worlds information and admira.
lion a faithful record OF our gigantic strue.
gle, in which link after link, now buried,
will start into life until the illuminated
whole shall put to shame our defamers.
Then will be illustrated, beyond a perad.
venture, II paucity OF numbers against
nultitudinous armies-the poverty OF a
sustained by ragged and hall.
troops, whose splendid loyalty
never wavered, and whose courage EN-.
braced the extreme point Of martial dar-
ing.
The cause defended was that Of self.poy.
ernment and Unconstitutional liberty. States.
men have grasped the fundamental princi.
Piles. which, from the mere attrition OF our
armies, fell with their standard, and in the
legislative halls Of our country they are
making q glorious effort Tor the preserya-
ion OF the heritage bequeathed to US in
LIS7. The cry from the North was the
Union! the Union! but they manifested
1aught save contempt for the Constitution
hat sealed and sanCtifed that Union, Be.
ginning with contempt, they would end
with IN utter disregard OF It's teachings.
md IT permitted would entirely subyertit I,
We must not close our eyes to the vital
OF the present struggled
with the hope OF rescuing the
of our liberties from the desc.
hand Of selfish partisanship. We
cannot sit idly by, mute and uninterested
.'pectators. We must cheer the faint heart
md strengthen the feeble knees and make
paths for our feet, or while we yet
'leep the enemy will SOW tares among our
'heayes OF wheat. We live in times that
all for wisdom in contemplation, and yir.
:ue in action; but in which virtue and
wisdom Will not do without resolution