The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-11-12
The Rebel Confederscy.
Second Session OF the Second Southern
Congress.
From the New YORK geraId. 7tb !

From the New York Gerald, 7th
The second session of the second re-
bel Congress begins at Richmond to-
day. The Fl ct session adjourned Ma
81, 1864, under peculiar circumstances
General Grant, pursuing the victorious
tenor of his way, had crossed the Pa
munkey river, and was in sight Of the
rebel capital Lee, shattered by the
terrible blows he had received in tht
Wilderness, was falling slowly back
demanding reinforcements of the rebel
President and Congress. Dissensior
existed in Congress and in the Con-
federaey. Leach was offering his peace
resolutions, and angry discussions be-
trayed the fright and weakness of the
rebel law makers. Vance, of North
Carolina, was at the time loud in com
plants of the despotism of Davis, and
threatened a serious mutiny in that
State Too much frightened to act,
Congress ceased its labors, and, in a
panic, fled from the city, denounced by
the papers of Richmond for its COW
ardice and inaction IN the important
matters submitted to it by President
Davis in the crisis then upon the Con
federacy.
The chivalry returns with fear and
trembling to begin their second session,
and under not less threatening as
pect of affairs. By an inexorable con-
scription Lee has managed to fill his
trenches with the collected militia of
towns and cities of Virginia Grant,
with powerful army, lies at her very
gates, awaiting the opportune moment
to strike a decisive blow. Dissension
and discord among the councils of the
rebels reign supreme. A great peace
party has sprung up, with the rebel
Vice President at its head, and Boyce
and Johnston, in Senate and House, to
adyocateit North Carolina and Ala
bama, too, are still rebellious-the rep
resentatiyes of the latter refusing posi-,
lively to amend its conscriptiOn law.
Davis himself declares his army de
pleted by desertion, confesses tne gen
eral weakness of the Confederacy, and
appears anxious for an armistioe. Con-
gress meets in besieged city, almost
completely invested But one outlet
remains to the rebel Congress, and
doubtless that will be soon closed.
Three great subjects are to engage
and absorb the attention of the pres
ent Congress. What the Confederacy
needs most is men, money and peace.
The inscription and Financial bills
are to be remodeled, and doubtless the
peace men end constTuctionists will
have their say. We have already had
indications, in the remarkable speeches
of jeff Davis, at Macon, Columbia and
other points, of the absolute want Of
men. The necessity of a more vigorous
has been limited at, and
the wcrk for Congress on this subject is
already cut and dried. State legisla-
ton in Alabama and elsewhere has
failed to add to the strength OF the ar
mics. The State Legislatures have re-
fused to amend and improve the laws
on this subject, and Davis will recon-
mend his Congress to some desperate
action. The arming of the slaves will
doubtless prove q great scheme OF the
coming session, and its discussion will
be marked with many curious develop
ments. No reasonable doubt can now
be entertained that it is the calm pur-
pose and determination of the rebel
leaders to take this dangerous step. 1t
has become q necessity, and driven, as
the rebel leaders are to the last extrem
ity, they will take into their army a
element, which will add lit
tie strength TO their arms, and which
will result in uniting the North as COM
pletely as it was the day that Sumter
fell,
The finances of the south are prob
ably past all surgery of which the rebel
Congress is capable; but it will be call
ed upon by Secretary Trenholm for
some action which will alleviate the
distress of the rebel people and govern
nent Some action on the finances
meets the rebel Congress at each as
aud this ever recurring duty
will demand much of its time in the
present session. Already strong par
.y in favor OF repudiation has sprung
Ip, and no surpri e need be felt If some
such proposition as q general repudla
lion of al the old issues Of the Con-
Treasury be made The rebel |
papers are already offering Congress |
various plans and urging it not to be !
,imid in laying taxes. In our extracts |
rom the reLel papers viii be found |
iome interesting editorials on this sub /
ect
And last, but not least, viii come the
sction of the peace men and recon /
Already they number a /
force in Senate and House,
md large party among the people
ollows their lead. The discussion of
he subject of arming the blacks, ac-
as it will be by exposes of
he weakness of the radical war men,
will add strength to the conservatives
nd pave the way for calm reception
# their arguments With these I'M
,Ortant matters to discuss and legislate
he second session Of the second rebel
viii be Of great interest, and
Is results viii be of vast importance to
he country at large We anticipate
inly good from what promises to be the
tormy session which begins at Rich
nond to~dsy.
We present in this connection q list
f the members comprising the ezeeu-
i've and legislative departments of the
ebeI general government The names
f the members of Congress are given
8 fully as known at Richmond on No
ember 4th, the date of our latest ar
ivals from that city. 1t viii be found
Iseful for reference IN connection with
he full reports which we shall here
fteF give of the proceedings of the
ebel Congress.
The Slow UVaeh bays.
The State election Of Ohio in 1928