Washington telegraph., 1864-01-27
To Our RrApErs.-with this number we be-

To OUR READERs.-Nlth thlS number we De-
gin new volume. In the midst of diff culties
almost insurmountable We have struggled thus
far through the war; and with rare ex ceptions
the Telegraph has not failed in its weekly ap-
pearance to counsel with our readers. cheer
them with good news, or sympathize with them
in common misfortunes. Lit has established
ties between ourselves and them. which bind
US still more closely to their interests and vel
fare. They seem to us companions with whom
we have talked face to face for years, bearing
and forbearing with each other, and cultiva-
ting the kindliest and friendlest relations. We
regret that we cannot increase the list Of such.
As yet we have means of doing so. Still we
launch forth the Telegraph into another vol
ume, and she shall float whilst energy and mo-
ney can effect it.. We have no motto now-on-
ly all absorbing object, and fixed rule Of
conduct. Our object is the success of our
cause. our rule of conduct is to ''set down
naught in malice" We hope so to observe the
latter, that nothing unkindly towards fellow
citizen of the South shall ever appear in
columns, editorialy or otherwise. We hope to
exercise that prudent discrimination Ill our
news, which will entitle sheet to conf
dence and that earnest sincerity in our opin-
ions which will ensure them from all earnest
men fair consideration.
May God grant us the sunshine Of peace be-
fore the egnning of another volume! Then
may the Telegraph shake out all its close
reefed sails, and with many nfreres returned
to life. launch forth proudly into the sea Of
politics which will then be opened.
n- We have had for a week the most beau
fiful weather, the thermometer ranging from
40 degrees in the morning to 16 degrees
at 2 o'clock. The mornings are often colder in
May and in twelve out of the twenty years in
cluded in DIR. Smiths meteorological tables, it
has been as low as 76 degrees at O'Clock in
July. The weather is sugg stive of gardening,
We hope our good housewives will neglect no
chance of raising vegetables for food, and herbs
for me1ical purposes. Every cabbage leaf and
potatoe tells for our cause.
GEN RorsToX.-Fully nppreciating the ne
cessity of complete representation of this de-
par tmeht in Congress, our worthy Representa-
tive, repressing all feelings of selfish pride,
and intent upon doing his whole duty to his
country, has made two efforts to reach Rich
mond in order to FIJI tho unexpired term OF his
office We regret, for his own sake and the
eountry's, that both have failed. Disap-
pointed in the first effort, he returned home
more than month ago, and soon set out in
another direction. This time he proceeded to
the neighborhood Of Columbus, in Louisiana,
where he learned there was a reasonable pros
pect Of crossing. Upon reaching the vicinity
of the river he met with many others wait
ing to cross, aud found the river strictly
patrolled by the enemy ss to render it impossi-
BILE. Besides, the river so filled with
floating ice 10 preclude the idei of swim
ming horses or mules. To have gone to an
other distant point on the river where pass
age might be possible, would have occasioned
go much delay that he could not have reached
Richmond more than day two before :he
expiration of his torn, the 1Sth of next
month. Being unwilling to draw salary and
mileage where he could Rot possibly render
any effective service, he concluded to return.
and settle his account with the government
only to the beginning of November last, when
his successor was elected; relinquish ing all
subsequent claims
He now retires to private life. still deter
mined to render such service to the cause of
Southern Independence he may be able. 1t
is only the weak and ambitious, like CAN'T,
who cool in a after they fail of its honors.
Royston carries with him the highest reward
to which he ever aspired, the sense of duties
zealously and faithfully discharged. His la
bors in Congress have been distinguished for
freedom, fervency and zeal, and pervaded
throughout by spirit of devotion 10 the
constitutional rights of his people and the
success of our cause. His opponents must
allow us to say this mu ch, as we believe ii is
Just and due. He is no longer in the arena of
politics. We feel sure that when the passions
and prejudces of the hour will have given
place to calmer and juster feelings aud when
nasty misconceptions, conceived IN the heat of
political canvass, may be dispelled, he will
be universally recognized one who deserved
well Of the Republic.
Dd- We will give we receive them all
the accounts o. Congressional proceedings for
which We can make space. In the absence of
military news it is the most important and
useful.
But we shall refrain entirely from all dis-
cussion of the merits of the questions. Our
remarks canuot reach Congress. and can do
no possible good. All fruitless discussion is
worse than useless. 1t excites the passions,
enlists partizan feelings, and, with weak
minds, or obstinate natures, tends to disaffect
those whose views are not car. led out We
need, of all things, unanimity and hearty con-
eentration Of effort There is no juster or
safer way to secure that. than to trust Con-
gress and the President implicitly for the
present, and support, without murmur or hes.
itatIon, all constitutional laws. There is no
other basis for that unanimity which is indis
pensablo to success. "United we stand. divi-
ded We fall" ~
Laws supposed to be unconstitutional should