Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-04-05
JcG. Davis Message.

We have read with great care and interest the
last Message of President Davis to The rebel Con-
gress in session at Richmond delivered on the
22d of February. The document is brief and
not written in the bold, daring style of Davis
former Messages the night of disaster has cast
its pall-like shadow over even the great inteli-
gence of Treason. The present condition of the
rebel Government had to he discussed-the late
reverses, and terrible surroundings had TO be al
| luded to-the number and condition of their ar
my had to be spoken of-the failures of the agents
sent abroad to procure arms assistance, and rec
ogniion, had to be reported every sentence
upon these subjects seems to have dragged forth
only 10y the exgency of the case Could Davis,
tweyemonth ago, have looked into the future,
and known what style of Message a rebel Presi-
dent would have been compelled to lay before q
rcbellious people in the Southern American States
on the 22d February, 1862, TO day he would be a
U. S. Senator, and Mississippi loyal State lie
never dreamed that any considerable effort
would be made 10y the loyal freemen of America
to maintain the Union, and punish the ambitious
leaders of The rebellion fovsther bell-boru treas-
on. lie. admits this in his Message when he
says:
When the war first broke out, many Of our
people could with difficulty be pursuaded that il
would be long or serious. 1t was not deemed
possible that anything so insane as u persistent
attempt 70 subjugate these States could be made,
still less that the delusion would so far prevail,
as to give TO the war the vast proportions which
it has assumed.'
With all his learning, ability, genius, and ex-
perenee as a statesman, be did not know the
American heart-he could not understand that
under the surface of trade and money getting,
the men of the Free States were as true, loyal
Secessa--tbat among all the sons OF toll, North
and South, there was deep seated love for the
Union, pride of country and nationality, that
however much it might feel aggrievod by pot-
ical defeats, would in the end rise supreme, and
assert its normal condition. The frenzy of mad
ness has worked off the Southern mind, as it feels
the enormity of the crime WHICH has been COM
mitted. through their blind faith in leaders.
better fitted to rule in h-ll than govern men
all the bitterness Of self reproach will recoil
upon the heads OF those who nstigated and urg
ed it. 1t is this avenging shadow, lying heavy
on the soul of jeff Davis, that throws its sombre,
despairng hue ovCr his Message.
In reference to The taking by the Union forces
of Roanoke Island and Fort Donclson, Davis
says
al have hoped FOR several DAYS TO receive the
official reports in relation to our discontinue at
Roanoke Island and the fall of Fort DOnclson.
They have not yet REACHED me, ani ! am there.
tore unable TO communicate to you such inform
alton of past events, and consequences resulting
from them, as would enable me TO make RECON-
menaati0ns founded upon the changed condition
which they have produced. Enough is known Of
the surrender of Roanoke Island to make us feel
that ii was deeply humiIiating, however impcr-
feet may have been the preparation for defense.
The hope is still entertained that our reported
losses at Fort Dorelson have been exaggerated,
inasmuch as am not only unwilling but unable
to believe that a large army of our people have
surrendered without IA desperate effort to cut
their way through the investing forces, whatever
may have been their numbers, TO epdeayOr TO
make junction with other divisions of the
army"
The Chivalry President can't believe his own
messengers, when they bring news of disas-
trous battle--can't understand how so many
of Chivs. surrendered without ga des'
perate effort to cut iheir way through" Well,
perhaps he has evidence by this time, sufficient to
satisfy His Exoellcncy
Davis speaks of misplaced confidence in
their former associates" We are not sure we
understand what he means, but presume that he
alludes TO the fact that John c. Breckenridge
and other traitors, pledged to ruin and anarchy
the States OF Kentucky, Missouri, Delaware, Ma
ryland. Western Virginia aud Tennessee The
loyal people Of these States repudiated these
traitors, aad the confidence OF Jefferson Davis Il
Go. has been msplacedl What an outrage and
ahame But what else than ''conGLence"
game has the rebellion been? =? Its leaders, too
will find The fate of all felons and swuders-a
halter or Il prison.