The Continental Monthly, Volume 1, Issue 3, March 1862

Monthly - Volume 1 - Issue 3, by
Various

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Title: Continental Monthly - Volume 1 - Issue 3
Author: Various
Release Date: January 4, 2005 [EBook #14583]
Language: English
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THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY:
DEVOTED TO

LITERATURE AND NATIONAL POLICY.
VOL. I.--MARCH, 1862.--No. III.
* * * * *
SOUTHERN AIDS TO THE NORTH.
Perhaps the most difficult question at present before the American
people is that so often and so insolently put by Southern journals, and
so ignorantly babbled in weak imitation of them by English newspapers,
asking what, after all, in case of a victory, or even of many victories,
can we do with the revolted provinces? The British press, prompt to put
the worst construction on every hope of the Union, prophesies endless
guerilla warfare,--a possibility which, like the blocking up of
Charleston harbor by means of the stone fleet, is, of course, something
which calls for the instant interference of all cotton-spinning Christian
nations. Even among our own countrymen it must be confessed there
has been no little indecision as to the end and the means of securing the
conquest of a country whose outlines are counted by thousands instead
of hundreds of miles, and whose whole extent, it is too generally
believed, forms a series of regions where dismal swamps, bayous,
lagoons, dense forests, and all manner of impenetrabilities, bid defiance
to any save the natives, and where the most deadly fevers are ever
being born in the jungles and wafted on the wings of every summer
morn over the whole plantation land. The truth is, that the simple facts
and figures relative to this country are not generally known. Let the
Northern people but once learn the truths existing in their favor, and
there will be an end to this misapprehension. There has been thus far no
hesitation or irresolution among the people in the conduct of the war.
'Conquer them first,' has been the glorious war-cry from millions of the
freest men on earth. But when we are driving a nail it is well to know
that it will be possible to eventually clench it. And when the country
shall fully understand the ease with which this Union nail may be
clenched, there will be, let us hope, a greatly revived spirit in all now
interested in forwarding the war.
It is evident enough that if all the millions of the South remain united to

the death in the cause of secession, little else than a guerilla warfare of
endless length is to be hoped for. The accounts of the enthusiasm and
harmony at present prevailing in Eastern Virginia, and in other places
controlled by the active secessionists, have struck terror to the hearts of
many. But, united though they be, they must be more than mortal if
they could resist the influences of a counter-revolution, and of strong
bodies of enemies in the heart of their country, aided by a mighty foe
without. 'Hercules was a strong man,' says the proverb, 'but he could
not pay money when he had none;' and the South may be strong, but
she can hardly fail to be entirely crippled when certain agencies shall
be brought to bear against her. Let us examine them, and find wherein
her weakness consists.
The first is the easy possibility of a counter-revolution among the
inhabitants of the mountain districts, who hold but few slaves, who
have preserved a devoted love for the Union, and who are, if not at
positive feud, at least on anything but social harmony with their
aristocratic neighbors of the lowlands and of the plantation. Unlike the
'mean whites' who live among slaves and slave-holders, and are
virtually more degraded than the blacks, these mountaineers are men of
strong character and common-sense, combining the industrious
disposition of the North with the fierce pride of the South. And so
numerous are they, and so wide is the range of country which they
inhabit, that it would seem miraculous if with their aid, and that of
other causes which will be referred to, a counter-revolution could not
be established, which would sweep the slaveocracy from existence.
In a pamphlet entitled 'Alleghania,' by James W. Taylor, published at
Saint Paul, Minnesota, by James Davenport, the reader will find 'a
geographical and statistical memoir,