Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-04-25
3 GFor the ORION !
CLARksvitLE, Tenn, April 20, 1862

| Ol.AhhsNliLE, II nN, t2prti ZOi lcoS.
EpIroR Nashville UNIoS, scu,
Sir: Our word santdlizc is derived from
Tantalus, one of the infamous wretches, who
according to heather myths, was FINISHED
in bell for his crimes. II saw, y said Ulysses
ssThe severe punishment of Pantalus.' In a
lake whose waters appros ched TO his lips, be
stood burning with thirst without the power
to drink. Whenever be inclined his head to
TO Che stream, some, deity commanded il
be dry, and the dark earth appeared at his
feet, Around him lofty trees spread their
fruits 10 view; the pear, the pomegranate,
| ana the apple: the queen Olive and the lns-
cious fig quivered before him, which, when
ever he extended his hand to seize them
were ,snatched by the winasinto clouds and
obscurity." Hence, when we are teased with
false hopes, we are said to be tantalzed. So,
in the language Of poetry 9q1
Tho, r,n..,or. .,,l EBsg
ious out deep groans, his groans through he'll K re,
sound;
Fen in the circling foods, refreshment Graves
And pires with thirst, amidst sea of Wages 'li7u
Thtnto the water, he his lip applies DO "
Back from his lip, the treacherous water fes Iron
Above, beneath, around his haplcss head haH
Trees of.all kinds delicious fruitage spread
The fruit hesriyes to seize but blasts arise 20
Toss it en- high, and whiriit to the skres.a -i,l9
This fable of Tanaius FLY represents the
condition Of the Southern Confederacy 81 /.
"a Though Tantalus you've heard does stuid chin
u.ep'y .,.u.. is.,s., rs vr14o .n1pi
At which you smile; now all ont would te true
wersthe name cha 4ged, and the tale told Of you''
I What has it ever done bat tautalize US
with false hopes aud broken promises? Last
Sprirg the wise acres told us that by the first
3of August, England would interfere and
break up the blockade, and this was one Of
the elements of power upon which the South
relied for success. But August came and went
aud England never moved peg, notwith.
standing the predictions of King Cotton
Then the first lot January could not pass
without interference on the part of England,
so great wonld be the necessity for cotton
It come and went without any interference.
Another element of power upon which The
Confederacy relied. was divided North
JEFF. Dayis said that the battles of this re-
bellion would be fought in the streets of
Northern cities. Is the North divided? Does !
she'1ot present united front in this great
conflict? do. not mean that there is not
here and there vile reptile which Kisses
and splits venom, but they are powerless and
harmless for evil. They dare not show their
snaky sbeads. In like manner they relied on
a unit.d South, and confidently predicted
thatsuch would be the case. This was the
peg. upon which King Davis hung bis hope.
But with all bis ability aud ceyerness. he
made blunder. Indeed nothing but Sc |
ries of blabdefs has marked the beginning |
Ind progress OF the rebellion.
q rhe fruit he strives to seize; but blasts arise
Toss it ON high, and whirI it to the skies''
The same is true in respect to the reports
which are circulated daily. They inspire
hopes to-day which are TO be blasted to-mor-
tow. This is illustrated in report which
circulated u sterday through the town. twas
reported in The morning that another battle
had been fought at Pittsbt rg. which resulted
u the defeat of the Federals and in driving
hem across Tennessee river This report