Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-04-08

ed General Lee and bis whole army, there.
by crushing the rebellion at one blow and
ending the war in few days. Three
years ago Lee surrendered at Antietam
to General Mcclellan Two years ago he
"Surrendered" TO Meade aftcr the battle Of
Gettyoburgb, and one year ago il was an
nounced from Philadelphia that with 4O.-
600 men he had "surrendered" to General
Grant. This last time he "surrendered'
with his whole army to Phil Sheridan
and two divisions Of the Federal army
This took place at Philadelphia in the 10y
al establishment of Jay Cooke, the vendcr
Of United States bonds
The great event was celebrated in Day
ton with extraordinary gusto. Hats were
thrown down people rushed into each
others arms the cannon fired incessant-
ly the bells rang the people shouted,
marched and countermarched music was
heard in every direction, and the loyal
heart beat high-except where too many
domestic calicoes were on hand, or costly
sugars lay piled up in melancholy bar
rels.
Seriously. we are an extraordinary peo-
pie. We are easily duped and never
learn by experience. "The burnt child
breads fire" has no application to anAmer-
lean. We had dispatch from Stanton
dated Washington, II A. NJ" in which
nothing was even hinted at, as to the sur
render or capture Of Lee. In few min
utes dispatch comes from "Philadelphis
at ll:l6 A. Must quarter Of an hour
aiter-stating that Jay Cookies brother
had dispatched him that Lee had surren-
dered. Then the whole town was in a
blaze. A whole country goes mad with
joy, gets drunk with excitement on the
news and when the sober morning comes,
whole country finds that Lee is safe with
the bulk Of his army; that he is beyond
further successful pursuit; that he has
reached line within easy distance OF Joe
Johnston's army and--thst the war will
hang out another year, unless settled by
negotiation and compromise.
We are not disposed TO underrste the
importance of the successes gained. Cen
eral Meade has given us the correct idea,
His dispatches are generally truthful and
modest. We cannot say the same fol-
Phil. Sheridan. We think he has been
slightly demoralized by his numerous barn
burning expeditions. A brilliant imagin.
alton is one of his gifts, and it has served
him many good turn. 1t took great
many pieces of artillery from poor JubaI
Early, who never knew how much he had
until he found from sherdan's dispatches
what he had lost.
Everything is at present tolerably mix.
ee," as General Humphrey says. W.
doubt whether Lees army has been en-
gagged since the battle of Saturday, Apr
1st. General Ewell commanded the rea,
guard and left Richmond on Monda,
morning. The bulk of Lees army hat
gone before, and in our opinion, has neve
since been in battle. These are surmises
1t was the duty Of the rear guard to fgh
at every available place to gain time 70
the main body to pass on. 1t did so, anc
has suffered considerably in men, wagon
and artillery.
, These are our views. They are writer
hastily and with no desire to underrate tn
truth. We do underrate the hOpss @
: many and we are sorry to do SO.
We should be glad to chronicle tn
close Of this war and the restoration @
this Union. When that day comes W
shall join in any demonstration of joy tha
=, becomes a man. If war accomplishe
that object, we shall acknowledge that W
have been grossly mistaken.
AT present we expect more battles
;, more victories; more defeats more taz
alton; more drafts, We say it in so,
! row, yet we honestly believe it to be tru,
And we may appeal to the money mark'
), where gold ranges but a cent or so lowe
y since the evacuation of Richmond. as il
"a dicAting the views of the mercantile clssi
Ia es.