, 1861-02-12
JEFF. DAVIS AND HIs CHANCES,

- *1H1s JAWS AND a43 CHANCES
Now that Southern Confederacy has
been established on paper, we may reason
ably look for some regular business" on
the part of the guerrilla bands which have
been hitherto snarling at Fort Sumter, run
ming away from Fort Pickens, robbing
miats, stealing cutters, seizing unarmed
vessels, pilfering the mails and erecting
batteries on the Mississippi. Mr.. jefferson
Davis, the principal Tycoon of the new
government, is man who understands the
value Of order. It will occur to him as
chief magistrate Of the moot confederacy,
that this random bushwhacking will not
answer the purpose Of forming more
perfect union, establishing justice, ensur-
ing domestic tranquility, providing for
"the common defence, promoting tie gen.
"eral welfare" ETC. l1r. Davis under
stands perfectly that q strong government
is the prime necessity in his new establish
ment and that without discipline, system,
obedience and the ct ceteras Of strong
government, his fabric will go 10 pieces,
after the Mexican fashion, in less than six
months, Of its own rottenness. But there
are many difficulties in the way of restor-
ing order in 80 complete chaos as that
now pervading the seeding States. We
refer not to those outside difficulties which
may prove insurmountab]e, but to the in
tcEnal and inherent difficulties Of his situa-
tion.
In the first place, it is incumbent On him
t. suppress the mob spirit Of the Gulf
States, which las come to bc q second
nature among the population. Fancying
himself the President Of an independent
nation, it is one Of his frs: duties to see
that the citizens Of other independent na-
tons are protected in all their rights while
sojourning in them-e else he may bring upon
himself war in which whole the world
shall side against him. This will prove an
immense and formidable job-no less than
undertaking to ruls his own masters, The
Vigilance COMMITTEES are the government
De Jaeto Of the Southern Confcderacy, and
they are not likely Immediately 10
resign their ill-sotten and worse used
power, for the purpose Of catering
to sickly sentimenta1ity Is the part of
Mr: Davis and Mr.. Stephens,
In the next place, it is evident that South
Carolina will not readily consent to he
snubbed, by being overlooked in the dis
pensation Of these high Offices, more espec-
tally when her superio. claims have been
set aside to make room for an original cn-
emy Of the secession movement. Mr. Ste
phens was, in the first instance, opposed to
disunion, and when Georgia was finally
dragged into it he hung back as long as
hanging back would avail. 1tmay reason
ably be doubled whether he has Jet any
heart in the business. We shall be SUI
prised if the Charleston Mercury docs not
enter an indignant aud vehement protest
against this arrangement. It will be prop
erly looked upon in q compromise with
traitors," as half way measure, as an ev-
idence Of lingering regard for the flesh
pots Of the Federal Union
An immediate and unavoidable difficulty
is to be found in the state Of affairs around
Fort Sumter. Il, as reported, the
constitution il the United States
has been adopted by the Montgomery Con
vention, Mr. Davis is commander-in-chief
Of the army and navy ~, and the war-lnak-
ing power is lodged in the hands Of the
Congress. South Carolina can no longer
declare war, nor can Gov. Pickens direct
any attack to be made upon Major Andcr-
son, nor can GOV. Brown seize any more
vessels in the harbor Of Savannah,
nor can the Mobile militia any longer
garrison Fort Morgan, nor can Louisiana
keep possession Of the $870,000 which she
has recently stolen, nor can Florida retain
the Navy Yard at Pensacola. In short,
all these madcaps must put their fingers i'll
their mouths and 60 about their own de-
cent and indecent avocations. Will they
do so? We shall watch the several steps
in this interesting process with satisfaction.
After Nr. Davis shall have "ensu1ed do
nestle tranquility" he will have small
bill to settle with the United States Of
America