The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-05-10


"If there be any modern 80 outrageously
brave that he cannot admit OF flight under any
circumstances whatever, say (but whisper
that softly. without intention to give offence to
any brave man in the nation) ! say, or, rather
1 whisper that he is an ignorant fellow, and
hath never read Homer nor Virgil, nor knows
he anything of Hector and Turnus; nay, that
he is unacquainted with the history of some
great men living, who, though brave as lions.
aye, as tigers have run away, the Lord knows
how far, and the Lord knows why, to the sur
prise of their friends and the entertainment Of
their enemies
BY such reasoning does the immortal Field.
ing justify the "falling back" of q favorite here
and in searching good plea for the dispersion
of our Confederate-but not Roman--Senate,
We can find none better. They, too, have been
brave as lions, aye, as tigers; and, alas! they,
too, have run away, "the Lord knows why, to
the su, prise of their friends and the entertain
ment of their enemies 4"
II would be amusing, if it were not sad, to
read and hear their protests that the opinion
they ran from apprehension" was altogether
an s'outside idea'' and their adjournment was
due to the simple fact that Congress adjourned
because Congress had mo more business to do,
while their record shows that the tariff hung
military commissions lay unopened on the ta-
bic, and while listening to a message from the
President declaring that he returned unsigned
q number of bills the titles of which he had moi
the leisure to relate nor Congress the time to
inquire. i2s7so
Want Of occupation certainly was not the
reason Of the scampering adjournment, and il
apprehension" had nothing on earth to do with
it, as We are bound in politeness to believe,
then, the Lord knows why Congress is gone,
and the Lord knows when Congress will come
back to us.
We hope that all other persons in Richmond
who intend to prefer flight to fight should they
ever be in danger, will do what they do in that
way like Congresg-without apprehension u
Of panic. If Richmond falls, it will not be a
sudden stumble. There is not the least danger
that their precious carcasses will be caught
under mashtrap. Abundant time for an ad-
journment will always be atfordediby the op.
erations of such officers as both parties have
in the field. No large city, defended by ex-
tensive lines and several great armies, ever
was or can pc surprised Richmond will al
ways be open one side, and those who want to gel
out of it can do so at any time. 1t is hoped
that here, at least, the Confederate armies will
not bounce Oft after burning steamboat OF
tWO duu DrluSe tue mOmenL tHey learn tne
enemy are in theneighborhood, without know.
ing how many there are, or whether they are
not worse frightened than themselves.
Again we repeat, the falling Of Richmond, il
it takes place at all, will be slow process, and
we shall know all about it long before it comes
to pass. Let no one, therefore, get out Of
breath before the race. If the Confederate
government is worth rush it will defend Rich
mond to the last, for the leaving of it, though
it will give up to ruin many thousands of its
citizens, will not be less fatal to the govern
ment itself. Nothing will remain for the heads
Of that government but speedy resignation tC
escape a load Of execration and infamy such as
would crush the greatest conqueror and despot
that has ever ruled the world. They had bet
ter seek death on the field that will decide the
fate of the capital than attempt to prolong a
nomadic resistance at Montgomery. Though
the people of the city and the country would
lose terribly by the occupation Of Richmond,
the members of the government would suffe,
more than any other individuals, and, if they
have grain of common sense, they know it
Hence it may be safely predicted that they will
defend this place with all the force they car
command. We have no doubt but the arrange
ments Of Mr.. Randolph are efficient, and oul
armies are competent to meet the demands Of
the crisis. Soldiers and officers knew the stake
and will play for it accordingly. Many natior
has owed its redemption toa decisive victory
before the walls of its capital