Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-03-10
pron tue Providence IR. IL JOurp.,.

JEFF. DAVIS rules rebellion as a military
desPOt. We cannot dsny that he acts his
part well His supreme disregard of the
popular will, his obstinate adherence to
bis own plans, his Pertiuacious fidelity to
the otticecs lie fancies, even when they are
most unpopular with tue people and the
army. lie condescends to tickle the peo-
pie occasionally by his addresses aud mes.
sages, iu which he expatiAtes upon their
heroism. But he has his own way, re.
gardless OF their complaints. Especially
does be turn deaf ear to all they have to
say on his military appointments and pro-
jects. 1t has seemed at times that the
more unpopular aud hated a military com.
mander was tue more Ienaciously he cIung
TO him. How he stood by his faVOrite
PembertOn, when maledictiOns were rain.
lug down upon the head of that General,
from every part OF the cOufederacy. On
the other hand how long be refused TO give
to Sterling Price. OF Missouri, the position
TO which, in the opinion Of friends and foes,
the ability of that officer entitled him.-
How he upheld Bragg during the disas
trous retreat in whiCniIhat GenerAI.Aban-
dOned the whole Of Middle Tennessee.-
Bragg's alleged mismanagement made his
name byWord amoug his own men, drew
down upon him the contempt and anger of
huu ObuGE pEOWluGuI
aud created .uch disRfvction that even
Davis after visiting ChickamAuga, dared
not run the risk of sending the army to
battle again under Bragg. but accepted hts
resignation. There is hardly newspaper
in the south which has not ridiCuIed or
condemned Bragg for lack of generalship
In hIsiTennessee campaigHs. We doubt If
any other General, except Pemhertou, is SO
disliked in the south nj the present time
As Bragg. IL is u matter of nOtOriety, TOO,
thus 10 rebel General commands so high
respect aud is so much beloved in the
south as Gen. Lee. And yet Davis with
bis attachment to Bragg has placed him 10
chief command OF all tue rebel armies,
thus making Lee subordinate to him. Il is
well understood that Lee aud Davis have
differed seriously in their views. Davis
does not hesitate to do violence to public
sentiment at the sOnlh by cIevatiug Bragg
over Lees head. We eau we'll understand
how the Richmond papers express uu.
teigned regret ut the act. While Lee is
admired throughout the coufederacy, be is
naturally enough the object of special ad-
miration IN the State which gave him birth
and which he has defended with so much
skill. We will not Withhold tue expression
OF our thanks to Davis for this appoint
ment. We beg him to give Bragg full au.
Ihority to dispose Of the rebel army in
YirgiuiH.
Davis's pnrtiulity for Bragg hus led
him into mistake. But there eau be no
question that his exercise Of utmost dictu.
tOrial authority ever since the war began
has been Of real service to the rebel cause.
y vacill"ting and good nntured man, who
would be guided by others rather than
by his own judgement, could never have
done what he has accomplished. a man
Of imperiUus will, Of stern resolve, ofcun-
tempt for the criticisms Of the masses, of
few scruples, was needed for the wretrhed
work. jeff. Davis, we believe, has kept
the rebellion alive longer thnn my other
man could. He is the most efficient and
as the same time the most dangerous
lender the rebels could have. lie has
carried them further towards success
than they could have done under any
other leadership. But could they have
succeeded, no other man would have
been 50 likely to usurp power aud con-
tinue his despOtic sway. From that per-
il we expect to deliver them before long.
We have strong hopes that Bragg, by his
,blnndering, will aid US in the work