Suppose even less brilliant and rapid results. Suppose that the war
lingers; that numerous and desperate battles have yet to be fought, and
some reverses to be endured; but that we continue to hold the heart of
the South up to our present lines in Georgia and East Tennessee; that
the new system of things is gradually established and becomes solidified
within the States already possessed: even this state of things, if
providentially enforced on us after our best exertions have been put
forth to succeed, may, again, unexpectedly prove to have concealed under
seeming failure a more fortunate termination of our herculean work.
Perhaps there is even yet not enough national virtue among us to leaven
the whole lump, and thus, by being delayed of our too greedy aspirations
for success, we may only the more surely succeed. A halt at this period
of the war was foreshadowed, it will be remembered by the reader, in the
earlier portion of this series of papers, written more than two years
ago. At any rate, if the remaining resistance of the rebel government
should prove more obstinate and prolonged than is now generally
anticipated, let there be no discouragement, and no serious
disappointment. Remember again, in that event, that our supreme triumphs
are moral and social, for which our military successes are merely a
basis; and that moral and social changes demand time to be consolidated
and secured.
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