w long could a Repub^n
Gov. exist as a military despotism? And who would not prefer
_banishment_ or _death_ to _such_ a _life?_ What Satisfac^n could the
North themselves have in such an event? They would live a life of
misery; provoke the sneers of the civilized world; and draw down upon
their heads the terrible wrath of an offended God.

But this war will _not_ be permitted _thus to terminate_, the South can
_never be conquered_. You yourself know their "_spirit_" too well to
believe otherwise. Rather than be _subjugated_ they will _die_ a
_triple death_. Like their mighty _Henry_ they cry, "Give us liberty or
give us _death!_" And still more _I_ don't think they can be
_exterminated. 8,000,000_ of people, armed in the holy cause of
self-defence; struggling for their _liberties, honor, interests, &
lives_, with a laudable ambition, & an _unyielding perseverance_, are
_invincible_ by any force the North can raise to send against them.
Besides (to continue the sentiments of Henry), the battle is not to the
_strong_ alone, it is to the _vigilant, the active_, the _brave_.
Especially so when, as I said before, the forces of Lincoln are not
composed generally of men of the first rank of Society (except a few
Officers desirous of Fame), but the "offscouring" & rabble of the
land--men who have nothing at stake, not even their own lives we might
say, since they care so little for anything. So that notwithstanding
the immense number (and here let me remind you of the _disparity_ of
_forces_, of which you said so much, at _Sumter_)--"stubborn facts"--of
which you speak, the South has nothing to fear. And, moreover, as
certainly as I believe there exists a God of Justice & Mercy, so
certainly & conscientiously do I believe He will defend the South from
the Vandals of the North. Yes, dark as they seem, the clouds of gloom
do not shut out the star of hope, and they are beginning to be spanned
by a radiant bow of promise; the fall of _Ellsworth_ & the shattered
walls of the _once presumed impreg^ble_ Sumter, abundantly testify that
_God_ is on their side, and "if the Lord be _for_ them, _who can be
against_ them?" So I heartily say "God speed" them--they shall have my
prayers.--But let us take one more glance at the _expediency_ of this
matter. Are not the North fighting for a Patroclus' grave in this
struggle? What matters an _abstract banner?_ especially to the _"matter
of fact" Yankee?_ And then behold the inconsistency of the N