The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-11-14
Friday Morning, November 10, 1862.
An Inside View of the Rebel States.
A Southern Editors Account of Affairs at
the South.

The Editor of the Vicksburg Miss Wing,
who recently left vicksburg, publishes in the
Chicago Tribune detailed and interesting re-
view of the condition of affairs in the rebel
States. He says that prices Of goods of every
description are enormously high in the Gulf
States. The corn crop was very abundant,
and sells for 81 25 per bushel. A liberal sup
ply of cattle is obtained from Texas Salt is
scarce, but partial supply is obtained from
Western Louisiana Mobile is now the only
avenue Of communication between Richmond
and the West, telegraphc, mail and passenger.
Mobile and Vicksburg are thus considered as
two very important points by the rebels, and
their loss would be regarded as disastrous in
the extreme.
THE REBEL coNsCRIPTIoN.
The conscript act is being rapidly enforced,
and its enforcement has resulted in the COM
plete prostration of all private enterprise. Men
are taken from their fields, workshops and fire.
sides, and Immediately placed in camps of in
struction, from which they are attached TO re-
giments and companies, they may be need
ed. The regulations are such that few or no
substitutes can be furnished, and as a conse-
quence all are compelled to take up arms. This
act has effected very great increase in the
rebel army, which will number not far from
100000, if allowed to be enforced throughout
the South. There will be arms of one kind
and another for all these men, and their native
pride, added to the finger Of seorn from those
at home pointed at all delinquents, will cause
them to use these arms quite as efficiently as
any men in the field.
DETERMINED SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH
The Union, conservative, or sober senti-
ment, as you choose to term it, of the South is
dormant, unable to make any head against the
popular current, while the prevailing and DOM
inant sentiment Is determined resistance. This
sentiment is not to be lightly regarded nor
overlooked. 1t is not an exposition OF disun-
ion, but an embodiment of intense, unreent-
ing hatred to the North. with the watchword,
Death to the Yankees" as all the Northern
ers are termed. Perhaps no better exposition
of this feeling can be given than that in
speech made by Barksdale in the rebel Con-
gress. In the course of his remarks on a re-
cent occasion he made use of some expressions
which caused member to remind him of a
constitutional provision that was adverse to
his sentiment Said Barksdale: al wish gen.
tlemen present, and the world In general. to
understand that constitutions, laws, justice,
rights and precedents are all to be overlooked,
unthought of, and must yield to the one great,
vital, all-important, imperative necessity of
whipping, the Yankees. That once accom-
plished, and We are willing to listen to twad-
die about constitutions" And he spoke the
prevailing sentiment of the South. 1t is this
feeling that has enabled the authorities to en-
force the conscript act.
FEELINGS OF THE UNION MEN.
The feelings of the Union men of the South
have undergone great change since the COM
mencement of the rebellion. At that time,
helpless In themselves to stem the tide, debarr-
ed ON expressing sentiment favorable to
the Union by the cry of secessionists that no
Union men or friends of the South could be bet
ter Southern men than those who were "native
and to the manor born," distressed at the ter
rible state-of things around them, greived at
the impotency of the authorities at Washing
ton, overwhelmed by the terrific excitement
which was sweeping the country like whirl-
wind they were left with every thing to fear
and nothing for which to hope. There was no
opportunity for consultation or cooperation.
The merest utterance OF Union sentiment
would cost man his life. The vacillating and
dilatory policy of the Federal government gave
no hope of relief, and the only course left the
Union man was to stultify his better feelings,
forswear his earnest convictions, and join pestif-
erous but popular multitudes. and soon he could
be seen with pale cheeks and quivering lips,
uttering sentiments which belied his heart.
As time wore on the Federal Government
began to show signs Of vitality, and ultimately
of power; and now the Union men are again
looking TO the future. In giving the senti-
ments of these men, wish to be as careful
and accurate as possible, promising by saying
that this sentiment is undoubtedly the feelings
Of nearly two-thirds of the substantial men of
the South, The Union men have no hope of.
and no desire for, the restoration of the Union
as twas. Such restoration gives no guaranty
against repetition at any time ofthe horrible
ordeal through which they are now passing.
The doctrine of State rights must be greatly
limited if not wholly ignored. The so-caed
Confederate government has already done this
and demonstrated its wisdom. The General
Government must become such power that
its agents win not discharge their constitution
al functions by sufferance, but by authority.
The administration of the legal duties of the
general government must not be discharged in
spirit of dalliance and apology, but, while
being conducted with moderation, must evil
dence frmness and determination. 1t is be-
heved all this can be accomplished under the
authority already delegated by the Constitu-
ton While the freedom of speech and the
press must be preserved inviolate, treason
written or spoken cannot be looked upon as
freedom, but anarchy, and must be immed-
ately and effectually crushed. Ina word the
governmentmustb be a living tangible substance
and not theory. The slavery questionable
real cause OF all the troubles, and the means
by which. crafty, scheming and ambitious
men have been able to seize and nearly over
turn the mildest and best government on earth
must be effectuay and forever settled.