Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-02-25

HENRY -. E'OSsEE COM, TD
Hsss'ElvEDNEb.

"Hobson's Choice" Jsr.,setlte6 Eirn---Iis
Views of the Rebel Eituation---The Con
federacy" on the Eve OF Disruption.
New YORK, Feb. IL From the New
York Times. MIR. il. s. Foote. late mem
her of the rebel Congress. and who came
through our lines in the Shenandoah Valley,
left on Saturday in the City Of Cork for
Liverpool. He was sent here under guard
from General Shermans command, to re-
port to Major General Dix, and was most
of the time during his solourne in this city
she guest of Col. William Ludlow. of Gene
ral Dix's Staff. 1t is understood that the
alternative was presented by oar authori-
ties to Mr. Foote of returning to Richmond,
or of going abroad and he chose the latter
Mr.. Foote represents the "C0ntcderacyn
to be on the eve of disruption. and that the
struggle on the part of the rebels is nearly
over. High military authority in Richmond
admits that the capture of Branchvillc must
compel the evacuation Of Charleston, Viii
mingtcn and even Of Richmond itself Dcs-
perate battles would probably be fought
before this latter evacuation takes place :;
but If Grant and Sherman were successful in
them, Lee with his army, would fall back
10 I.ynchburgh, and there entleavor to make
stand. His qrmy would in such case be-
come demoralized, could not be held to-
gether, and could not be supplied
Mr.. Foote thinks that the leaders will en-
deavor to leave the country, and the cam
paign on the part Of the rebels would des-
ccnd to guerilla fighting.
Conventions will be held by the people
of the different Southern States, for the
purpose of issuing a call for the cessation
of fighting, and for the withdrawal of their
State troops from the Confederate armies,
and they will throw themselves upon the
magnanimity of the UEited States Govern
ment. Mr.. Footc is prepared to issue an
address to the people of the South, urging
them to cease Fighting, to give up the con
test, which is so clearly for them a hopeless
one, and rs no terms but unconditional sur
render can be obtained, to promptly accept
such terms
Mr.. Foote also represents that the I'M
popularity of JEFF. Davis at the South is
very great; that the people have lost all
confidence in him, and in his ability 10 ac-
complish the objects ofth war; that their
form of government is aapidly approaching
an absolute despotism that the questions
af slavery and of emancipation have been
settled by the operations of our armies and
that the South would gladly assent, as a
condition of peace, to IA scheme of gradual
emancipation. That the mission of Ste
phens. Hunter and Campbell, was only a
ruse on the part of JEFF. Davis, and forced
conccssion to the peace men of the South,
who are admitted by the Richmond papers
to be in formidable strength.
That Davis knew there was 70 prospect
of any agreement upon terms with Mr..
Gincoln. md wished only to use their re-
port and want Of success "to fire the South
ern heart TO -rensWed resistance; that IN
this he w~aid temporarily succeed, but
reaction would set in, and Davis would be
swept away by'it
Should no disaster befall Shermar and
Grant The closing hours of the ConGederscy
are near at hand. The return of Mr.. Ste
vrns to Georgia without participation in
the war meeting held AT Richmond, indicates
to Mr.. Foote's mind an intention on his
part to prepare the people of that State for
the adoption o: the policy recommended by
Mr.. Foote. These views of man who has
ample opportunity ol ascertaining the tenn
per OF the Southern people arc simple con-