The New York herald., 1862-03-24
The HesIra or Jen. Davis.

xhc HcAA OF JcH. DaSIos
The hegira Of JEFF Davisl What theme for
the hstorianl What a volume of matter ID
comprised in that brief sentence, the hegira of
Jeff Davsl 1t stands before u.s. too, not as q
probable impending event, but as certainty.
ID. NJ Currin and J. d. G. Atkins, two members
from Tennessee in the rebel Congress at Rich
mond, have telegraphed the Memphis Appeal,
March ii that President Davis is coming West
soon Rally everybody to his standard" This
is official, and we dare say that, by this time,
JEFF. is beyond the boundaries Of Virginia.
Hegira! Webster defines it as an Arabic
word "from h1jara, to remove, 10 desert In
chronology, an epoch among the MoAamme-
dans from which they compute time. The
event which gave rise to it was the flight of
Mohammod from Mecca; from which the magis-
trates fearing his impostures might raise
sedition expelled him. July 16, A. d. G22."
This explanation makes the word hegira ex-
cecdngly appropriate to this Western journey
of Davis; but the parallel will hold no fur
ther, unless JEFF. shall succeed in escaping into
Mexico, and shall there recover from his fallen
fortunes. That he is en- ro,de for Mexico We
have no doubt; but that he will reach the Mis-
sissippi river in season to cross it without de-
lection is not 30 certain.
For some days past we have been deprived
of our usual fugitive Norfolk and Richmond
newspapers, from which we suspect that the
whole rebel government and rebel army of
Virginia are in motion for the Southwest In-
deed this was mado manifest the other Gay
with the discovery that the rebel armed forces
had abandoned Aqua creek point as essen.
tal to their reported new defensive line Gs was
Leesburg to their left flank Of the line Of
Manassas. And the news is abroad that they
have vacated Fredericksburg, which means the
whole of the line Of the Rappahannock; and
whore are they to halt inside of Virginia? At
Richmond? We think not; for that place is
comparatively defenceless, and. being on the
north bank Of the James river, is too much ex-
posed to the army Of Mcclellan to make it
safe halting place for the demoralized and
panic stricken forces Of the rebel Johnston. hc
is cautious and sagacous leader, and will not
risk the last throw Of bis dice with the odds
SO heavily against him, in useless effort 10
save Richmond or Virginia, which are already
lost.
most probable immediate effects of the loss Of
Nashville and Manassas to the rebels, We indi-
Gated the movements which they are now pro-
ceeding to carry out. We mean the withdrawal
Of all their forces from the border States, and
their concentration upon some strong defensive
points in the cotton States. We believe, too,
that the bulk Of the rebel forces will be con-
ccntratcd in the Valley Of the Mississippi. and
in view of the last necessity of fighting ihcir
way across the Mississippi river. aud Louisi.
ana and Texas, into Mexico, and that .ais r.
treating army will he made to serve ~ the con
! voy of JEFF. Davis and all the Office Of is
rebel government. and all other active rebel
conspirators, who are not prepared to trust to
| tho chances Of repentance or an amnesty.
| This is our Interpretation Of this warlike trip
| OF JEFF Davis to the Southwest. He is bound
| for Mexico. But, what fall is this from bis
| high estate: About this time last year his ora
| tors and newspaper organs, from Richmond to
| New Orleans, proclaimed the White House at
| Washington as his destination, Maryland as an
| indispensable part Of his confederation, and the
line Of the Ohio river as his inevitable Northern
boundary in the West We think it was in
| March or April last that Mrs. Jefferson Davis
| sent leter-a we'll authenticated ietter--t0 a
friend in Washington, desiring The plate marked
Mrs Jefferson Davis" upon one Of the pew
| doors OF Trinity church, in Washington, 10 be
retained there. for that within few months
she expected 10 reoccupy said comfortable
pew. Nor did this appear as q vain and foolish
boa,. at that time; for it was not until after
General McClcllan's indeiatigable lsbors OF
July and August last, in reorganizipg our Poto-
mac army and in strengthening its defences,
that we of the North we're relieved OF all fears
concerning the safety Of Washington.
| But what fall has followed in the hopes,
threats and promises OF his rcbellious Excel
| lency JEFF. Davis, and of thai more aniable and
enthusiastic rebel, our Lady Davis" as she is
styled and, doubtless from her great personal
attractions, by the rebel chiyary Of the South.
The White House. Washington city, Maryland,
Kentucky Missouri, Tennessee aud Arkansas,
| have beea overcome by ''the armed heroes OF
the Lincoln government" and now Virginia,
| and lis beautiful capital Of Richmond must be
| abandoned at tho approach Of Mcclellan and
bis "Yaakees." Was there ever such prodi-
gious and comprehensive programme in any
other rebellion in the history Of mankind as
That upon which JEFF. Davis was advanced in
| triumph to Richmond? Was there ever such Oh
iguomipious failure in any rebsl!ious conspi-
iacy as that which marks the hegira Of JEFF.
Davis from the sold Dominion
BLESSINGS or REBEL RuLE.--Onc OF the lmme-
diste fruits OF the rebellion was TO close up all
| the common schools Sonlh. It's duration for q
| few years would consequently have the effect
| of entirely susreuding the progress of educa-
| ton and reducing The slave States to condi-
| ton bordering on barbarism. One OF The first