The North had been taught a lesson.

The doubting were at last convinced that the Confederates were equipped for a desperate fight, and intended to make it.

If the Union were to be saved, it must be saved by the united loyalty and the unflinching resolution of the people.
The special and immediate danger was an outbreak in the Border slave States.

Their people were seriously divided; but the Union men, aided by the entire moral influence and in no small degree by the military force of the Nation, had thus far triumphed.

The repulse of the National arms, with the consequent loss of prestige, necessarily emboldened the enemies of the Union, who, by playing upon the prejudices and fears of the slave-holders, might succeed in seducing them from their allegiance.