Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-25
Spirit of the Rebel Press.

The Petersburg (Va.) Express takes more
solemn view of the situation, or utters its
opinions more candidly than the Richmond
journals. 1t enjoins the Importance of prayer
in the following earnest style:
"If there ever was a time for solemn, ear
nest PRAYER it is now. We stand in the midst
of dangers the dire extent of which, in case
of adversely, can scarcely be conceived. A
Rostile army, mighty in numbers and fierce
and bitter in hatred against ms, is almost at
the very doors of our capital and our own
homes, maneuvring and endeavoring, by fair
means and by foul, to snatch away the pre-
cious heritage of our birthright and reduce
us to the most abject slavery. This is no
time, therefore, for people to gather on the
street corners and boast what we will do, or
proudly predict what will be done, and CEN
sure this officer and that brigade ofttroops.
But instead of vain glory and the spirit of
pride and boastfulness of which we have SO
large a degree, we should exercise the spirit
of prayer, and daily in the church and in the
closet, and around the family hearth, we
should beseech God to give us the victory, to
inspire our gallant defenders with divine
valor, and SO guide our leaders that their
wisdom may not be at fault. With a nation
in prayer for this blessing, it would be speed
lily vouchsafed. Let our daily prayer meet
ings, therefore, be always largely attended,
and in public and private let all unite their
prayers for the safety and welfare of our be-
loved country"
The Express seems to forget that andtion is
in prayer for the blessing of victory over the
infamous rebellion, and Gen. GRANT may, in
the language of the Earl of Richmond, offer
up his supplications for conquest when con-
fronting treacherous enemy, zone raised in
blood, and one in blood established"
Thou whose captain account myself,
Look on my forces with gracious eye;
Put in their hands Thy bruising irons of wrath,
That they may crush down with heavy fall
The usurpn helmets of our adversariesl
Make us Thy mi nisters of chastisement,
That may praise Thee in Thy victory
The Richmond papers attempt to make US
think that the people of that city are like the
man who "enjoyed bad health" and are
highly pleased with their condition. The En-
anliner in sentence evidently interrupted by
the thunder of GRANTS cannon and left un-
finished, says:
"If those highly excited official circles of
Washington and delighted newspaper readers
of New York and Boston, could but see the
tranquil serenity of these empowered streets
at this day-how peacefully our people go
about their daily business; how quietly they
buy and sell, or even marry or are given in
marriage, as in the day when Noah entered
into the Ark"
The comparison of the people of the rebel
city to the ungodly scoffers at Noah just be-
fore the deluge, is eminently suggestive. The
same paper of the 9th says:
"The citizens, if we may judge by their
quiet Indifference, did not believe one word
of it. They begin to doubt even the existence of
Grants army. Let Grant prove it. Here is
Richmond waiting to be taken built evident
ly to be taken; predestined to be taken, rob-
bed, and burned, according to very high au-
thorities."
Let them possess their souls in patience.
Gen. Grant will remove this sad skepticism in
due season.
The following from the Richmond Sentinel,
of the 9Th, exhibits anything but cheerful
spirit:
The report sent by Butler to New York
and brought back by the Times, that the
Mayor of Richmond had been thrown into
Castle Thunder, for proposing to surrender
the city, was started here about a week ago,
and had considerable run among the vit-
iainoas old hays, ,Ohose husbands have gone oUer
to the Yankees, and left them to be supported
by public and private charity; but never ey
tended beyond that class till one of them
carried it to Beast Butler. We wish devout-
ly that they would all 60 over to the Beast in
body. 1t would be very great relief to
the treasury, and enable US to attend better
n g -
diers They might tell the Beast whatever
they pleased.
CIVIL WAR-Son arrayed against Father.-