Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-23
Yesterday Evenings Edition,
sOUFMERa NEWS.


In the rebel House of Representatives
on Saturday last, Mr.. McMullen, of Vir-
ginia, offered resolutions in favor of send
ing within the Union lines, Commissioners
to treat with the representatives of the
Government at Washington for g restors-
ton of peace. In reply to question, Mr.
McMullen stated that Bishop Lay, who
recently arrived in Richmond, had been
assured by General Grant, that any such
Commissioners would be allowed 10 pass
through his lines.
Foote has retired to private life in dis
gust.
In the rebel Sonata, while the currency
bill was up ne withdrew from that body.
After making q frank statement Of the
situation of the rebellion, he ssid:
SIR beseach the honorable gentlemen
on this, the last occasion, perhaps, that l
shall have the honor of addressing this
House, to look with me upon the prerent
condition of the country, before they re-
snlua IN withhold THAR alnnnrt from this
measure. What is our sltuationt Let us
look danger in the face and provide for it
while it is possible to do so. Sir, we are
upon the verge of ruin. Congress israpidly
abandoning all its important powers, and
building up an irresponsible military des-
potism, the like Of which has never been
seen before upon the earth. The policy Of
the present House seems to be to crush out
dissatisfaction, by armed violence alone, in
imitation of that thorough policy intro
dueed and enforced in England by the cele-
brated Earl of Stafford, the enforcement Of
which speedily brought Charles the First to
the block, but before Stafford had
lost his own head. Ten days hence
freedom of deliberation will have
been efectuslly extinguished in this body,
by means which may not specify. The
unjust, unwise and deeply criminal dis
placement Of the gallant and Efficient Ohm
ston from the command Of the army Oi
Tennessee, and the transfer of that army
to the neighborhood Of Nashville, have
opened up all Southern Georgia, South
Carolina and Alabama to the army 0.
Sherman. Fort McAllister has fallen
Savannah is about TO fall, the fate o
Charleston seems only to be deferred few
l dsys later, Hoods army has already me
with a great disaster at Franklin and my
iudgemnt is fatally compromised. Presiden
tisl interferenceis is the cause of all thest
dire mischiefs, as it was Of tho result Of tn
unfortunate battle of Murfreesboro and tht
still more disastrous one at Missionary
Ridge. Should Hoods army be destroyed
an event which I fear is but too probable
and Sherman could come round to thi
vicinity in ships, which do not doubt h
now intends, what will be the fate Of Rich
mond.
| rpL IT..,T.r a ory-r.sr,,,,5 liant N f-oDt a
Richmond, says: It is reported that LIE,
was wounded in front Of Petersburg snC
will be unable to report for duty for SOM
time.
Deserters say that desertions from tn
rebel army will be very heavy for tn
future.
The Richmond ElrGn1insr of the 10th
notices the fact that a large number 0
negroes have recently stsmpeded toward
the Yankee ines-
The Examiner also says: The Yankee
have been in Wytheville and other part
of South Western Virginia, destoyinl
three locomotives and doing other damage
/ The Savannah Republican of the 18L
saws: On Saturday and Sunday srtiller,
firing was kept up actively on both side
with more or less sbirmishing. There j
no change IN the aspect Of affairs. Every
thing goes on well and all are in the bes
of spirits.
The Charleston MsTe'try ofthe 10th says
Sherman appears to have abandoned
direct attack on Savannah and seems t
be turning his attention to the reduction Q
the outworks.
The Mercury regrets the fall of Meal
lister and says the enemy will next max
q desperate effort to take Genesis Point.
The Richmond Sentinel, of the 18th
says: Burbrldge is retresting from South
western Virginia, and Vaughn is trying t
get in his rear.
Large quantities of stores and troop
are being sent to Knoxville from ChattG
nooga.
The Richmond Whig, of the 10th says
jeff Davis has suffered several days tro1
neuralgia.
Absurd rumors had been aAoat to afaC
the gold market.
The WHig also says that Kirby Smit
is defrauding the Government out Of larg
= numbers of fine beef cattle, which, by b
S orders, are run into Mexico from Texas.
The army correspondent Of the Time
giving extracts from recent rebel paper
3 says: Therebel Senate, last Saturday, wer
t into secret session, and a stormy time ",
4 had. The question of at once srming IL
? negroes was brought up, and is believe
!. to have passed by an almost unsnimol
vote.
Q For several days past, every sble-bodit
t negro has been quietly seized and hurrit
of to camps OF instruction. This may a