Year: 1864




In this revolution there cannot be, because cannot
afford that there should be, any such word fail We
should permit ourselves entertain for
the belief that the failure of depends
the result OF any si0gle battle. At The tine
not forget the fast that history teaches that the
tate OF dynastles and OF empires have been repeatedly
decided h single contest between opposing tofcss.
We should therefore, enter each fight with determin-
alton to act il the whole Of ourselves ard
posterity rested tha issue, but with the resolution
it terminated in defeat, to pc cut the disaster III
future 81 l1rl0us victory.


There is feeling, however, abroad iu thv land that
the great crisis of the war--tbe turning poiat in cur
fate is fast approaching. Whether the crisis be upon
not, there can be 10 the mind Of no man, WHO
looks at the of State and conSiders her geo.
graphical relations to the lest Of tie Contede!acy,
single doubt that much of our future is involved in the
result of the next spring campaign in Upper Gtorga


At present the design of the enemy is clearly &C.
cumulate large supplies at Chattanooga, make it tic
base of his luure operations and hen advance At
anla. Confronting him and guarding the Western &
Atlantic Railroad the only railroad line OF communal
cation with Atlanta from that direction, is brave
and gallant army, under the leadership OF OF our
most skilul and accomplished oficerss With proper
resources at his disposal Atlanta is sa and defeat aud
overwhelming disaster await the advance of the enemy.
A failure to furnish him with all that be needs in men
and material may end in the loss Of Cherokee Georgia
and the fall of Atlanta.


This is the issue what is the consequence With
AtiaIa in possession of the enemy we have no longer
one but three railroad lines of communication to guard
and protect These lines the Georgia Railroad,
connecting through Augusta with South Carolina,
North Carolina aud Virginia the Macon Western
Railroad, connecting through Macon with South
western Georgia. now the granary OF the Coniederacy,
a1d the Atlanta West Point Railroad, connecting
through Montgomery with the Great West and the
Gulf Of Mexico. With these three lines to protect,
resources ard energies must be trebed three fold
responsibility must devOlve commanding Gene
raj, three told courage and activity troops
Even under such crcuins there would be
sion for despair but the apprehension OF such circum-
stances ar occasion sufficient 10 all the latent
courage and energy OF the nation.


Let US not he afraid of trah; let US loook it boldly
in the face and meet it. crisis of this character is
upon 1t is crisis not the same, but akin to that
which sometimes comes in the line of indivlduaL-
When the patient has been racked the bed of dis
ease for maDj days. aud when he has been brought to
the last verge Of eneebe strength it is thea that al
energetic effort OF the will, sulnmonng all the
OF nature, carries him from state bordering on des
pair TO doubt from doubt to nope, om hope to conVa
6scence, and from corvaescfc TO his Wonted health
and vigor. We are not in this state. We have
high and confident hopes strong ASSURANCES tn at we, ss
a nation will never reach this li.Gat'on But now, lei
at nation initiate the example OF the lndl
vidua man. In the course OF tteir history solemn lG
terrogatory is add ssed - ali people; have yGr
the virtue to present at eAa p,e IF safsacrihce
1t ls the highest test O human / we have tht
virtue to give up home, anG weaI3, -d family, ther
! may we have the hope Of cor1tr. llt to have
country, and enjoy all blessings OF free and Jude
pendent people, let Us SHOW by spirit of sefsaeEfoe
that we Viruous enoug to be worthy OF them. -
From this time 1orth let every cizep resolve that hi
will be no longer the ambition to accumulate wealth
to procure comfort and luxury, 30 seek distinction an
honor but to watch and serve with Jealous the in
terest of country. II we all dischargs dulles wit
this spirit before spring puts D. "a foliage of hop
and cheerful confidence th3 crisis sal have passed an
there will be corn the assurance of final and triumph
ant SUCCESS.