The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-03-06


ferson Davis delivered his inaugural
address as President of the Confeder-
ate States under provisional govern
ment," which has endured one year
and four days. On the 22d of Febru-
AIRY. 1862. he delivers another inaugu.
raj. on the setting in motion of what is
called, in language which recent events
have converted into burlesque irony,
the permanent government" Of the
Confederate States. There can be lit
tie doubt that in power, resources,
solidity, and duration the provisional
government has been superior to any
thing that will be attained by the So
called permanent" affair, by which it
is replaced.
One year ago, the rebels had just re-
eeived the avails of good seasons
cotton crop, aud started on their "pro-
visional" experiment with very toler-
able financial outfit. Now they are en-.
tering on the second year of an ex.
hausting war with an empty cxchequer
and the fruits of last seasons industry
on their hands as dead property on
which they cannot realize dollar.
Then, their ports were all open now,
they are all closed. Last February,
they counted on a large body of sym:
pathizers In the Northern States, and
especially in the city of Newly ork at
present. their "permanent government"
il the, butt of universal derision
throughout the North. When they
set up their rebellion they trusted in
cotton and supposed that foreign pow
ers would become their allies rather
than do without it; they have now
lately learned, by authentic official de-
claratiOns, that these powers will re-
spect the blockade. One year ago, the
North was disarmed by the gigantic
thefts of the scoundrel FLOYD; the
army (what little there was of iO was
posted on distant frontiers; the navy
was in remote quarters of the world.
To-day, our immense and well equipped
armies and numerous ships of war en-
circle the rebels like huge anaconda
which is daily tightening its folds and
crushing the life ont of the rebellion
We have annihilated their power In
Missouri; we have driven them out of
every spot in Kentucky except Colum-
bus, which they will have to evacuate
within week (; we have stormed strong
Notifications and made prisoners of
whole armies in Tennessee we have
taken forts which they deemed impreg-
nable at Port Roya! and Roanoke
Island; we are threatening Savannah,
and within three weeks shall probably
either capture this "permanent" gov
eminent in its capital at Richmond or
compel it to seek safety fight. Nash
vile. to which it thought of removing
three months ago, is either already in
our possession or will be in day or
two. aa
Well may Davis say in his inaugural,
eve have had our trials and difficult
ties" Truth EFFORTS from him the con-
fcssiOn, "the tide for the moment is
against u.s." No wonder the Richmond
Wing said of his government, the day
before the Inauguration;
"Judging by results so far it is the
most lamentable failure in history, and
suggests to the rejecting mind that the
most signal service which that govern
ment can now render to the country is
the surrender of the helm to ADLER and
better bands.
:" In view of the past, the present,
and probable future, the patieant of to-
naorroao is a bitter naockery and a mis-
cradle compensation for the ruin of
free people. A child with bauble, an
old man with young wife, are partial
illustrations of the deplorable folly"
lobe sure, Davis expresses confidence
in the ultimate success of the rebel
cause. His position compels him to do
this; for why should he go through
the mockery of an Inauguration as the
hesd of this idle pageant of "perma-
nent government" If ne processes no
faith in its success? But when we
look through the address to discover
the grounds of his confidence we find
nothing tangible. What he says about
the patriotism, virtue, and courage"
of the eonfederates is very pretty or
Atorical flourish, but it does not show
tohere the resources are to come from
for resisting the staggering blows
which we are prepared to strike. The
only reason for expecting success which
we find stated in the inaugural that has
any weight, is that the magnitude of
of our military operations is so great
that we shall soon break down under
the financial burden. But are we not
likely to stand the expense quite as
long as the rebels can maintain force
to oppose this formidable and costly
array? Our government wisely con-
cluded to exert its whole strength at
once and make the war short one.
The expense of preparation has indeed
been enormous; but this enormous ex-
pense is the measure of our ability to
inHict mischief on the enemy. The
burden will not long be felt, because
our preparations are so complete and
the armies we have on foot are so over
whelming that the rebels cannot stand
against them. asf..
sat the darkest hour Of our strug-
gle," says Davis. "the provisional gives
place to the permanent government"
A very few days will probably suffice
to show that the present darkness is