The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-11-17
The Manchester Journal
Jefferson Davfs---IIts Present
Postiioa and Fufufe Prospects.

T3bHc inierea ard importance wah
the cafes Il lbs stae sid tbe taiefy
and Welfare q people resting upon
him. be ), an object d careful aiien-
ton ard scrutiny 10 al these whose
hsppiness And prosperity may tn any
va, be CONNECTED with him. His ac-
tons are watched. BIS words carefully
weighed. and bis very looks observed,
70 discover, II possible, shat may be
bic real ,ievs and no,ites concern.
ing The common cause.
Thus il Is, that, 81 the present
time. the Southern people follow ihe
movements and dwell upon the words
Of jefferson Davis with great interest.
They have intrusied their cause 10
bis guardianship, their fate in great
measure depends upon his action, and
be may be supposed 70 know best what
arc the chances for the success Of the
movement which be controls.
Any indication which can be Of In
iefest TO the Southern people, must
also be Of interest 10 Us. Whatever
presages defeat TO them must be prog
nostic OF victory for the North. But
any indication which they can per-
eeive in either tie bearing or Ian
guage Of President Davis has a two
fold interest for us. While they
watch Mr.. Davis VIC watch them, and
regard no, only any mark explanatory
Of public affairs which they may dis
cover abou, the object Of their obser-
walton, but also The effect which that
discovery has upon their own spirits
and hopes.
When Mr.. Davis was chosen the
first President Of the Confederate
States, he received the homage and
respect Of the whole Southern peo-
pie. II there were those who
looked upon him with distrust and
aversion, they were too few and fee
bic 10 make themselves heard amid
the universal applause which greeted
his elevation. His great abilities as
a statesmen were generally aeknowl-
edged, and his admirers knew of no
thing in his character as a man which
could work TO the injury Of their
cause. since then the Southern peo-
ele have had an opportunity Of OBJ
serving bis conduct as magistrate,
and the result Of this observation is n
great change Of sentiment with regard
10 his fitness for the position which
he occupies. There can be no doubt
that there exists a widespread and
serious dissatisfaction with regard 10
his administration thus far. The
third year of his Presidency is now
drawing TO close. and Mr.. Davis
finds himself delested by large por.
ton Of the people both citizens and
soldiers, and sees arrayed against him
a powerful opposition consisting of
some Of the strongest men and ablest
journals Of the South. Whether Mr..
Davis really merits this hatred and
opposition from his brethren in treas
on does not alter It's effect upon our
interests. II was not 10 be expected
that anyone could I'LL the position
which Mr.. Davis occupies without
making many enemies. But il may
well be doubted whether he could
have raised so formidable an opposi-
ton among those Of common interests
and perils and men SO well aware Of
the necessity OF unity, without giving
some just cause Of dissatisfaction
His military requirements and talents
for command have undoubtedly saved
the Confederate armies from destruc-
ton In times Of great disaster But
perhaps his obstinacy and revenge
have weakened those armies as much
as bis abilities have strengthened
them. He has forgotten none Of bis
old enmities, ard has pursued his
schemes Of private revenge utterly re-
gariless Of the welfare Of the public.
His inve,erate prejudices seem TO have
grown with his power TO crafty them.
lie has made use of his power as
President Of the Coniederacy to pun
ish those who incurred bis enmity
when Congressman and Secretary Of
War under the Federal Government.
lie has been animated BY none Of that
noble spirit which led Louis XII to
observe when called upon 10 punish
those who had injured him before his
accession, The king Of France does
Hoa revenge ihe injuries done TO the
duke Of Orleans" The revenge with
which he bias remembered old injuries