Final answer:
Mr. De Fontaine implies that Richmond was burdensome to the Confederacy due to the difficulty of defending and supplying it. Richmond's fall could have made the South stronger by demoralizing the Union and potentially leading to the end of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Mr. De Fontaine writes that Richmond was a burden to the Confederacy, he is referring to the fact that Richmond, as the capital of the Confederacy, was a symbol of the Confederacy's power. However, it was difficult to defend and supply, and its fall would mean the loss of this important symbol.
On the other hand, Richmond's fall could make the South "stronger than ever" because it would demoralize the Union and potentially lead to the end of the war. The fall of Richmond would have been a significant blow to the Union's morale, and it could have caused political pressure within the Union for a negotiation or compromise.
Learn more about The implications of Richmond's burden on the Confederacy and the potential consequences of its fall