The mountain Democrat., 1864-12-03

RICHMOND TAKEN."--Bryant, the |
Shoddy Chairman Of the ShOddy State
Central Committee of California, requests
the Shoddyites not to celebrate the re-
election of Lincoln until Richmond is tax
en-, which, be tells them, he has assuran-
ces from authentic sources, will be done
in a few days. Enthusiastic loyalists,
when Grant crossed the Rapidan with the
"most magnificent army that ever Gener-
al commaaloIH," H" potSlctsd that he would
take it before the fourth of July! He
made the experimental experiment
cost him eighty thousand lives-and he
failed. But, Bryant has assurances that
he will take it "in few days." and we
believe him. Richmond has been taken
before. The New Hampshire Patriot
says: Butler has taken Richmond three
times-almost, and the "doomed city" vet
remains in possession Of the enemy, and
is likely to so remain. The first time
Butler took it was when he first landed
upon the banks of the James River, last
summer. lie then telegraphed that she
had the key of Richmond" A few
months later, the telegraph was made to
report that his cavalry were Sin the sub
urbs"; and few days ago portion of his
army penetrated the Confederate lines
and all but entered Richmond" Itwould
seem from all this that Richmond is "easy
to take but hard to hold" 1t was virtu-
ally evacuated" some weeks ago, we
were told; Davis and his Cabinet had
skcdadded, the newspapers had all been
removed, the Government archives taken
away, the heavy guns transferred to Dan
vile, and most of his army had gone there
also! Indeed, it appeared that the gates
were open and our forces could enter even
without the" key; yet the doomed city"
still holds out! 1t has long been held BY
1.-THE tenants Of the cradle and the grave;"
yet 100000 veteran troops are still held
at bay! How much longer will people
believe such ridiculous stories? How
much longer can silly lying deludc them
into the belief that "the rebellion is on its
last legs" with its backbone broken?
- S&~
One OF TWO THINGS. One Of two things
must happen The South will establish
its independence, or it will again become
part of the Union. If the former, we
may expect to be governed in accordance
with the narrow bigotry of New England
which now rules the Administration of
Lincoln. If the latter, the Democrats of
the North will unite with the Southern
people in insisting upon the full measure
of State Rights as recognized by the Con-
stitution. 1t don't matter what the Abo-
ltionists may do in the meantine-it will
all be undone, Of course. Then, what is
the use of sacrificing SO much treasure
and blood to force conclusion which the
people will certainly annul when peace
returns again? To illustrate The Abo.
htionists propose to adopt constitutional
prohibition Of slavery. What will it
amount to: y vast majority of the peo,
pie Of this country are determined that
the States shall have the right to control
their local institutions; and no prohibi
ton Of the kind indicated, and which it
Is said Lincoln will recommend in his
forthcoming message will stand a mo-
ment after the people recover their proper
power. Lincoln may, by proclamation,
abolish slavery in the Border States, but
the people of those States may recstab,
lish it whenever they see proper. The
States will regulate their domestic insti
tutions to suit themselves, without con-
sulting him or caring for his wishes
Is PEACE NEAR?-IIow often have the
peop!crbecn deceived by the predictions
and assurances of Shoddy organs, hired
by the Administration to do its dirty
work, that we shall soon have peace. AS
long as Lincoln is President and adheres
to his negro policy, so long will the war
be prosecuted. The Southern people
would rather be swept from the face of
the earth than submit to his dictation,
and his letter directed "To whom it NAV
concern" is dictatorial in the highest de-
gree. Peace is not near Every intelli-
gent man is convinced of this fact. Gen.
eral Sherman admits it. In his cores
pondence with Gen. Hood, September -,
1864, he says: "Now know the vindic-
tive nature of our enemy, and that we
may have many years Of military opera
tions from this quarter" Those who ex-
pect an early peace from Lincon's policy
and from the assurances of his organs,
may consider the opinion of Gen. Sher-
man. lie is in position tojudge under
standingly, and he certainly expects the
war to last for many years. lie sees be-
fore him "many years. Of war; in the
face of the silly falsehoods IN re gard to
the desertion Of rebel soldiers, dissensions
in the rebel Congress, and destitution and
starvation Of the Southern people
---~S~~%--
The PART OF WISDOM. is the part of |
wisdom to settle our difficulties upon a
basis which will assure US permanent
peace. That basis is the old Constitution.
We have lived under it before and we can |