Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-13
Causes Of Reaction in the South.


Causes Of Reaction in the South
AT several periods during the war, th
sanguine have thought the rebellion to b
near lis Gnsl collapse. But never befor
have there been such decided and unms
taxable indications of an event so great
to be desired. No one can read the dali.
report from rebel sources and the article
from southern papers without perceivin,
that the rebel leaders are at their wit
end and ready for the mJst desperate
measures, while the people of the SoutI
are losing hope of success, and conse
quentIy show little disposition to sacrific,
themselves in a cause already lost. Som,
Of the southern papers reveal the exist
ence Of this feeling By their earnest at
tempts to argue it down and to arouse
fresh courage and determination in the
popular heart; others by dwelling on the
misfortunes and discouragements Of The
confederacy and SO promoting the re-
action which they evidently desire, but
dare not openly advocate.
The hostility to Davis is more bitter
and more pronounced daily. There IS 10
tact popular clamor for his supercedurr
by Gen. Lee, a 5 COMMUNICATIVE chief
which would amount 10 fact to his de-
position altogether, for the military de
partment is the whole Of The confederate
government. Besides, it is well known
that Gen. Lee IS not a secessionist in
grain; he was originally opposed to dis
union, and only his false sentiment Of
allegiance to Virginia drew him into it,
But the attempt to di>place Davis is
really an indirect mode of bringing the
rebellion itself to an end. There is no
justice in holding Davis responsible Tor
/ the military reverSes OF the rebels, and
his associates know il, who are now howl
| ing at his heels and attempting to drive
him from power. What they want is to
stop the war, because they see that it il
hopeless and ruinouS, while they have
not the honor nor the courage to declare
openly for peace.
A still more significant sign Of the hope
Iessness and desperation of the rebel lead
ers is the proposition Of Davis, now sus-
tanned by nearly all the newspapers, and
believed TO have been secretly adopted
by the congress, for arming the slaves
No doubt this will be tried, not only b.
cause of the lack Of white men for sold
iyr., but because the leaders hope there.
by to purchase foreign recognition and
help. But it will fail in boil, respects.
The rebellion is already 500 far gone TO
be saved by the negroes, even il they
could be trusted to fight for it /; and no
European government will ally itself to IA
power that thus contesses its own weak
ness. Not only so, bot this measure will
disaffrct the Shareholders, the only class
10 the South that has ever been hearth,
in the rebellion, and so promote the re.
action already begun.
The idea most to be relied upon to
bring the desired reaction in the South,
Which is TO terminate the war, is the hope
lessness of the rebellion. The things We
have nnmed-the opposition to Davis.
the project of arming the negroes, the cali
4 for foreign aid-are indications so plain
that the southern people cannot fail to
understand them and feel their force
/ IT they had lost courage and the dispoSit-
ion 10 fight before Hoods defeat in Ten
nessee and elimination of Sherman,
grand march in tie capture of Savannah
how small must be their hope now. The
failure at Wilmington has given them a
brief spasm of courage, but they know
that the failure Involved no great loss To-
as and that We can repeat the attempt
with such increased force as will insure
success, If Gen. Sherman does not aniici
pate II by taking both Charleston and
Wilmington as he did Savannah. We
believe the southern people already see
that tine rebellion is failure. The lead
ers will hold them TO the effort as long As
they can but, unless all present signs
fail, the time is close at hand when the
leaders will find themselves deserted, add
the coniederaey will come to a sudden.
collspse.-Spr-asetd Republicans