The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-18
EDITORIAL CorrsspOnasnes.

Editorial correspondence.
NEw YORK, Dec. IS, 1863.
No documents which have yet appear
ed throw so powerful light upon the
relative condition Of the Federal Govern
ment and the rebellious States, as the
late Official declarations of President
Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. A par
ailsl Of the messages conclusively estab-
fishes the progress Ct the Union and the
decay Of the Rebellion, IS set forth by
the Chief Magistrates Of the cUntending
parties. "Grave reverses befell our arms
soon after your departure from Rich
mond," says DAyis TO his fellow traitors
in Congress; II would have called an
extra session, but for serious obstAcles'
lie then proceeds 20 announce the fall
Of The slroDgholds, Vicksburg and Port
Hudson; the important position Of-J ack-
son, the fall Of Little Rock, and evseus-
ton of Arkanssf; the surrender Of Cum
berland Gap, and the loss Of communica-
ton between Richmond and Middle Ten
nessee, and the crushing defeat of Bragg
by Grant, and the rout Of Longstreet by
Barnside. SO Jefferson Davis sums up
his list Of calamities, with embittered
and gloomy language.
How different the statements of Presi-
dent Lincoln: "The Rebel borders are
pressed still further back, the country
dominated by the Rebellion is divided
into two distinct parts, with no practical
connection between them, and Tennessee
and Arkansas have been cleared Of Reb-
81 armies" Such is summary of the
domestic view Of the case, in which JEFF
ferson Davis mourns over defeat and dis
aster, and President Lincoln tells of VIC
tory and steady advance. Nor is The
contrast between the two messages re-
spectiDg foreign nations less striking.
Mr.. Davis ssye: "The attitude of the
EurpeAn governments has been in some
cases positively unfrieadlg; the Rebel Com
missioners TO England meet with rebufTs;
the United States are encouraged to cor
tinue the blockade of the Southern ports;
Earl Russell says that relations with the
Rebel States lc0uldJe discyedita5le, because
they are slaUcloIding;;" and the British |
Government comedies that the Rebel
States are "mere dPesdelcies" of the Uni
ted States. So speaks the arch conspi-
raior. Hear next the President: 1--WE |
remain in peace and friendship with for
eign powers. The British Government
has used its authority TO prevent the de-
pArture Of Rebel ships from its ports; and
France, by : like proceeding, has indics-
ted her neutrality" Our foreign relations
apPeai 49,. - aumIrsUIO UUHuI-
ton, while those of the Rebellion are
perplexed, and fOrbidding in all respects
Mr. Davis says that the finances of |
the Confederaoy demand prompt RENE
dy 20 carry on his government, and adds
the remarkable statement that the taxes
provided for the redemption of Confeder-
ate money have actually increased ae
deJs IN place Of diminishing q. He draws
a darker picture Of rebel finances than
bsve seen in any other quarter. So
writes Davis. Nr. Lincoln says: "Fhe
operations Of The Treasury have
been successfully conducted. The
enactment of, a national banking law has
proved vslusbls aid to public credit,
and the loan law has fully met the
hopes Of its friends. And money, be il
remembered, is /" the sinew of war"
Robert TOOnbs, of Georgis, declared in
a late speech that the side which held
the longest purse would win in this war.
The tone Of the Presidents Message is
cheerful and manly, while that of Davis
is neither. II rage and despair actually /
make him stOop 70 the degradation Of
expressing satisfaction at the proposed
establishment Of French Monarchy in
Mexico, righ. on the border of his pet
COnfeaeracy. A remarkable thing that
the man who used TO bswl the loudest
for the MoEroe doctrine should cringe
Abjsctly at the fsot Of Louis Napoleon.
Davis says the war Is indefinite in it's
duration, and that there is no pros.
pect of peace" while the President,
full of hope and patriotic confidence
looks forward 10 the triumph of
the National arms. While Davis
breathes forth wrath, undying hate, and
slaughter, the President proposes a plan
for frsternal restoration. Such is hasty
and imperfect parallel of The two Mes
ssges, whose Lesson will be indeliby
upon the mind of all Christen-
dom. s. C. NJ