Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-05-02
r.RTrRRs PRanI IIlrrInLorn.
Special Correspondence Of the Memphis Appeall
RICHMOND, April II, 1868


kspsoial Correspondence Of the Memphis AppeaLl
RICHMOND, April II, 1868.
cannot write the date above without recall
ing the fact that this is the anniversary Of the
passage Of the ordinance Of secession in the
Convention of Virginia. Two eventful years
have passed since that event, years which have
falsifed all the predictions that were made upon
the happening of it. The Yankees declared that
three months would force Us back into the
Union We as confidently prophesied that
three months would witness the end Of the war
through foreign intervention. Eight times thres
months have elapsed, and we are not subjugs-
ted, we are not recognized. The period has
been ons Of fearful trial for Virginia. It has
overwhelmed in ruin her material interests, but
II has rsised her immeasursbly in moral gran
deur. The State has been overrun through all
her borders, her fertile fields have been laid
waste, her mansions and villages have been de-
sroyed, but heneeforth no one shall say that the
'Virginians ere degenerate people. While
the ordinance was yet under discussion and
the conservative members hesitated about taking
the last serious step which should dissever Yir-
giuia from the Union forever, some wit remark
ed that the men of the Old Dominion were the
Revolutionary sons of revolutionary sires." The
lest was good one at the time, but it viii never
be repeated. Whatever may be She issue of the
contest in which we are engaged. the historian
viii record that She race which fought the geod
fight of individual State sovereignty in 1862,
1923, were not unworthy Of their illustrious
ancestry. The past is safe, nothing can dis
turb, erase, unwTite the record which preserves
the deeds Of Lee, Johnston, Jackson, Asbby,
Stuart. Hill-nothiug can dim the glory of Ma
nassas, Williamsburg, the Seven Pines, Gaines
Nil, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, fredericksburg.
Such thoughts are naturally suggested by our
memorable anniversaries, and they are of ma
tura to inspire US with heart of hope to continue
steadfast to the end.
Public attention has been wholly engrossed
for two or three days past with the position of
General Longstreet at Suffolk. Rumors of the
capture of that town, with considerable Yam
kee force, have been rife, but as yet they want
confirmation. 1t is regarded as certain that
Longsireet has cut of all communication be-
tween Suffolk and Norfolk, except By means of
gunboats up the Nansemond river, and if cur
shore batteries can keep off She gunboats, the
fall of Suffolk may be considered only ques-
ton of time. A week or ten days viii probably
determine it The Yankee force st Suffolk is
believed to be fifteen thousand, under General
CoTcoran. There was lively fight between
Longstteefs column aud the enemy, who tried
hard to prevent his getting in their rear, but we
have no particul ars up to this moment What
we know, however, warrants as in looking with
greet interest to the events of the next few days
in that quarter
The exempsionlb bill was finally disposed of
today in Congress. In the senate, this morn
ing, a measure introduced to confer the rank of
general on Major Gorgas, of the Ord
nance Department, was lost. The senate went
into secret session st an early hour, and SO con
inued until its adjournment. The tax bill yet |
remains to be settled by the committee of con
ference, and The delay in the passage eff this /
measure makes it impossible that sn adjourn
nent siss de can be had on the goth. 1t win
probably take plsce on the 9Th.
I hear nothing further of MIR. Bodisco's visit,
and suppose that it viii not now be made.
happen to know that message was sent by
him to Judge Ould, stating that, if DO objection |
were made, he weuld visit Richmond by the next
Gag Of truce boat Whether our Government |
declined to permit him to pass, or whether he
changed his mind, am unable to say.
The weather is chill and cloudy again.