, 1863-04-13

Apart from all considerations Of Federal
Tictory in the field, the rebels have to en-
counrer the new end terrible enemy of
famine. We have so hemmcd them in
On all sides By land and sea, and have cx-
1ended our lines so far into the interior Of
The Southern States that they can neither
get food from abroad, nor grow it at home
in sufficient quantities to feed their armies.
and the remnant OF the population which
las been spared by the conscripuon.
Awhile ago it was treason Of the deadli-
est sort for my one in the Confederate
States to sell, or allow to be sold, single
pound Of cotton, and every one was under
IN oath, expressed or understood, to burn
his cotton rather than allow it to fall into
Federal hands. They were under SINH
lar obligation to destroy any steamer which
Should dare to attempt to carry cotton to
New Orleans.
SO terrible thing, however, is hunger.
That neither the authority Of jeff. Davis.
nor the penalties Of treason, nor the loyalty
Ct the rebels to the cause for which they
arr lighting, have been powerful enough to
refrain them from breaking through all
fl:c barriers which stood between the fool
CT the North and the famine which men
at:d them. Hence, they have taken ad-
EaAsage Of the recent regulations made BY
liz Secretary Of the Treasury, in respect to
rc1amercial intercourse with them. and
Fts.t, last week, two thousand bales of cot.
:acn TO New Orleans, from the borders of
tie Lake. This is larger amount of the
staple than was ever received there durina
The days Of peace, and is conclusive eyi
dence Of the condition to which they are
reduced, for want Of the necessarics oflife,
They look in vain for these to the Con-
tederate government, and get no sympathy
from It. It is loo absorbed in its ambitions
1ocare for human life, except as the machine-
y Of battle. And We cannot wonder that
loyal and disloyal men, in those States.
Ehould prefer to convert their cotton into
tood, even at the risk Of death punish
ment for it, rather than see it lie idle in
their storchouses, and liable at any moment
TO the CONSUMPTION Of the authorities, at
prices which are inadequate, and scrip
which is mockcry Of value.
It is not predicated, from this willingness
In their part TO trnde with US, that they
are therefore desirous Of returning to their
allegiance; nor Is it at all certain that this
extraordinary consignment Of cotton to the
buyers at New Orleans will be continued,
On like scale, for any great length Of
lime, although there is strong probability
That such will be the case, judging from
1he scarcity Of food within the rebel bound
sries-a fact which is acknowledged and
deplored BY their leading representative
Journals.
The chances Of war have thus thrown
the scouIge Of famine On our side, and
whether we use it to the full extent Of its
tremendous horror or not, we shall certain
1y benefit By it. These two thousand bales, at
so cents per pound, arc worth $4o0, 900,
end involve that amount Of merchandise
as exchange for them. It will be curioas
enough, and without precedent in war
fare, if prosperous trade should be cstab-
3islied between the North and South whilst
ihey are fighting for very life. We may be
in condition to become parties to such
Transaction, and able to afford it. They
will be compelled into it, forced to afford
it, and what we gain in dimes and dollars,
they will gain in sustcnance, and increased
ability to fight u.s.