New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-19

JEFFERSON DAvIS's MESSAGE.
Like the previous manifestoes of tho able
and infamous Rebel who calls himself Presi'
dent of the Confederate States, this document
combines an attempt to argue tho Rebels into
confidence in thei9 ultimate success, with an
appeal to Europe for recognition. We have
no space to controvert the elaborate misrepre-
sensations and specous arguments already TO-
psatedly answered, by which tho legality Of
secession and the rghtful independence Of the
Rebel States are sought to DO asserted. We
pass over also tho Inconsistency Of tho reitsr.
ated statements that the blockade il ineffective
and the distress of the country in con-
sequence Of it, extreme. The discussion
of priyateerng, complaints against tho UNI
fairness of Europe in closing ito ports to
prizes, and complaints of tho unequal operation
of foreign neutrality, are points that Davis has
made before, though perhaps less deliberately,
and the fallacy of which has been cOnvincingy
ex posed 1t is Impossible. however, not to discover
in these portions of the message the adoption
of tone more defiant toward Europe, more
the Rebels have hitherto ventured to assume.
The discussion on this subject closes with a
quotation from the recent dispatch Of the
French Minister, and with the expression OF
renewed certainty Of speedy acknowledgment
by European Powers.
| From tho outset of this contest the Rebels
have omitted no opportunity ~ practice un-
warliko aud inbuman atrocities, and no oppor-
tunity TO declare to Europe that We have been
guilty OF the outragcs which they alone have CON-
mi;tcd. Accordingly the Mcneil case is again
referred to in this message, though it has been
unssswersbly shown that every act OF the
General who is charged with the crime Of
murder, lay strictly within the line of his military
duty. Gen. Butler, against whom Dayis's
proclamation was specially directed. is again
held up to the world as an outlaw, and is is
reaunounced that his execution in eXpiaton OF
his crimes will immediately follow his capture
by ANY of the Rebel forces. IL is noticeable
that no threat ia uttered against Mcneil.
Now we have one word TO offer concerning
the duty of our Government in these premises.
Gen. Butler was sent 10 New.Orleans with the
command of IN independent department, which
he 80 administered NJ to reduce 10 unauestoning
obedience the most lawless and Indignantly rebel
lious city in the South; which was governed mean.
while, with eveu-banded justice bat inexorable
severity against defiant treason, open or con-
cealed. OF nil tue Infamous charges urged
against him with persistent bitterness by Rebel
authorities and journals and by their sympa
.Lizers in tho North. not one has been sus.
tanned by evidence. lie WAS removed by the
Government, it is supposed, in Cancellation Of
foreign circumstances, but remains TO this day,
as tbs public remains, in ignorance OF the grounds
citizens of the North, without exception,
defend and applaud his conduct, and deplore
his removal. The House OF Representatives,
! by n vote of three TO one, has declared its
approval of his able, upright. and humane
administration. Is 10 understood that another
command not less in dignity than his old one
will shortly be offered HIM. Whether il be or
net, we conceive that an imperative obligation
rests On the Government to reply in fitting
terms 10 the bloody threats of the Rebel PreSi-
dent.
They are not uttered for the first time.
The doom Of ielOn was Denounced against
Gen. Hunter, and remains UT impending in
case of his capture; yet Gen. Hunter has just
been returned to the Department. of the South.
These two Generals, as well rs the loyal
officers who arc in command of negro troops,
arc entitled 70 the protection Of the Govern
ment. While Dayiss threats remain uuaa.
swered they have 10 protection. There ia but
ore alternative, in justice to item. Either
withdraw them from service or announce at
once that any violence to prisoners will BIO -.
warGcd with iLstans retaliation. The dignity
and reputation of the Government no less in
exorabiy demand this course. Hesitation can
only be construed into cOwardice; and since
retaliation must follow if the Rebel, persist,
/ the sooner II is declared or begun tue less
bloody and terrible must it necessarily BE-.
| But it is the Emancipation Proclamation
which eyohes the most unmeasured Indignation
of the Rebel President. The journals and
orators ut the North in tie interest Of the Re-
beon, who have constantly denounced and
ridiculcd tho Proclamation as ineffective and
absurd find no support in tais expression from
that one of their alIies who is best qualified to
judge. The savage atrocity which could doom
to determination four millions Of slaves because
rghtlul authority has proclaimed their free.
dom, would never have passed tho limits of