New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-07
TIE ROMANCE AND REALITY OF
REBELLION.

are all the moro interesting from the contrast
they offer to the declarations of hopeful.
ness aud cheer in which the Rebels are 80
fond of dealing Taking them at their own
word, they are people of singular prosperity.
Not only has the rebellion failed to check their
prorress and power, but il has even advanced
them. They profess to have discovered re-
sources hitherto unsupported by them
selves. by the development of which
they are enabled to pursue their contest
without the sufierings and sorrows which
ususly visit nations in q state of war; Hard
ships of any kind they are reluctant to confess
to. If we were to credit their own dazzling
stories we should be compelled to own that the
real Utopia exists in the modern territory OF
the Cotton States-a Utopia not drowsiy
luxurious with peace, indeed, but none the worse
for the inylgcrating influences OF hopeless
contest against fate. Not that they have admitted,
! in any public manner, the hopelessness OF the
contest. The signs, as heretofore read by them,
are all the other way. They have abundance OF
food. they cay, and-which concerns them more
yitally-plenty to drink. Their markets, they
proclaim from time to time, are not void OF
| Injuries. They are contented and serene.
They have been conquered in only score oi
battles, and their cause is consequently safer
than ever After few more defeats their
intention is to march into Massachusetts. and
enjoy that picnic upon Bunker Hill OF when
we have heard 80 much The future however,
gives them little concern, the present being so
full of agreeable prospects. Possessing wealth.
strength. luxury, happiness tho confidence OF
foreign nations, they need ne better Warrsh's
for self-congratulation. Internally they are
sound beyond dispute, and externally they are
not 60 weak as might be, for their commerce
prospers, in spite Of the feeble blockade which
their uuchiyalrous enemies have sought to es-
tablsh.
In the face of all this. the solid arguments OF
Southern figures are somewhat omnous. We
glance at the commercial lists, and tie gorgeous
vision of Southern wealth and prosperity
becomes a ba.elcss fabric. Southern wealth
is cotton, or tobacco. or sugar, provided these
articles can be exported, not otherwise. The
average prosperity Of the South, then, can be
estimated by view of the state OF affairs In
its principal port. New-Orleans. During the
six months expiring March /, l76?, not one
pound of tobacco or sugar was exported,
while during the corresponding months OF the
previous year, upwards of 1900 hogsheads OF
tobacco and nearly 4O, 600 hogsheads OF sugar
were sent of. The cotton expectation during
the same months in 1901 amounted to
1869 bales; and in 1sGl-'2 to II l02 bales,
that number having leaked through the block
in small vessels. The cotton expectation Of
the entire South during corresponding periods
was upward OF 100000 of bales the year
before the Rebellion, and about $4,000 this
year. In respect of other Southern productions
the facts are tho same. Nothing has eluded
the blockade except the small quantity of cot
ton above mentioned. The sweets of the world
stand collected on the leyees of New-Orleans.
of no present value to anybody, their owners
least of oil, whose eyes will doubtless be agree
ably opened to the errors of insurrection when
ever the blockade shall be raised, aud tho out
pouring stream Of molasses shall flow without
inn ediment. Abundant stores of tobacco lie
ready for use, which, Notwithstanding the fiery
threats OF destructiyely disposed Rebels, will
probably not be burnt, except in the legitimate
way of pipes aud cigars. Neither, we suspect,
need there be much apprehension that the ac-
cumulated cotton will be sacrificed. All will
be preserved for expectation in due time, when
wo generously trust the hitherto chmerica!
prosperity of the planting parties may De abund-
antly realized.
The question Of Southern comforts and lux.
figures, which in this case fulfill tho double
duty Of exposing a cherished sham OF tho Reb-
ella, aud yindicating tho efficiency Of our own
blockade. Tho fact is that the South is nearly
destitute of all the necessares Of existence, and
the limited supplies on hand are held ut such
enormous prices as to put them almost beyond
the reach Of the popuace. Flour is sold in
New Orleans for $l4 and $l5 the barrel.
Pork, of which there is scarcely any in the
market, brings $50 the barrel. Coffee. Of
which, also, very little remains, brings 81
cents tho pound. Potatoes can hardly be had
at oil, and never for less than ten dollars tho
barrel, while that favorite Southern vegetable,
tho pungent onion, is absent altogether
Cheese, too, has ceased to.ornament the South
ern board, aud butter has become so expensive
decoration (45 cents the pouud) that pur-
chassrs ore few. Tho stock Of salt is woe.
fully reduced; nine dollars and a half the
sack is tho usual price. OF delcacies, the