The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-05-01

The surrender OF General Joe J0hnetOns
army including all the active rebel forces in
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida, puts an end to the rebellion and the
war. From the Potomac river to the Missis-
sippi all the fighting elements Of the rebellion,
If not now, will in few days be disbanded,
disarmed and dismissed. The work is done to
the Alabama line, while beyond the Chatta-
hoochee to the Mississippi, what with the resist
less movements Of Wilson's cavalry from the
army of Thomas, and the operations OF Candy
and Commodore Thatcher at and around
Mobile, only q few scattered squads of Dick
Taylor's command were left at the time OF
Jobnston's surrender, and they doubtless, by
this time, following his example, have laid
down their arms and given up the hopeless
cause of JEFF. Davis and his confederacy.
Nothing remains, then, of this late gigantic,
tenacious and defiant rebellion but the herd
of irregular odds and ends of border rufians
and bushwhackers, under Kirby Smith and
Walker, in Western Louisiana and Texas.
They, too, have been seized with the contagion
of despair. The rebel General Walker, COM
handing in Texas, according to our last &C
counts from him, in his answer to the PROPOSE
ton of General Lew. Wallace for "a separate
accommodation" still spoke in the old rebel
tone of insolent defiance; but this was more
than month ago. 1t is probable that on this
very day the roads leading from Texas to
Mexico are lined with immense rebel caravans
moving off with their cotton and other plumber
to seek the protection Of Macmillan. The
mock heroic General Walker probably heads
this grand exodus. We guess that the rebel
chiefs at Shreveport, on the Red river, in the
bold adventure of running. their famous ram
the Webb-out into the Mississippi, and thence
down the river under full steam, were simply
endeavoring to get into the Gulf and across to
Cuba with cargo of cotton and other valua-
bles worth oil the risks Of the undertaking.
In word, the rebellion is subjugated and the
war is at an end; and we have only now to
"gather up the fragments that nothing may be
lost" In this view it is gratifying to perceive
that the first efforts of the government are di-
rected to the reduction of the national expenses.
We Judge, from what is already accomplished
in this direction, that even by the first of July
next the extent of these reductions will be equal
to five hundred millions a year clear gains.
Next, from the able-bodied soldiers on both
sides, thrown into the productive employments
of peace, our actual gains will be still greater.
We may next look for the speedy bringing for
ward to market Of at least two millions of bales
of Southern cotton, the effect Of which, in re-
ducing the prices of cotton and other goods,
and in strengthening the national credit and
financial and business operations in both hem
spheres. Next, a new impulse of colonization
and active development Of wealth will give a
new epoch of prosperity to our new mining
States and Territories west of the Rocky Noun
tains, while at the same time mighty current OF
emigration, from the North and from Europe,
will set in to III! up the waste places and the
inviting fields for free labor now offered in the
South.
The prospect thus opening before us of a
reign of peace, prosperity, material develop
ments, wealth and strength, is, indeed, magnif-
cent Take away million of men from the
work of consuming and destroying, and transfer
them to the work of building up and producing,
in such country as this, and the effect, to use
favoritc comparison of President John
son, will be as wonderful as any of the
miraculous changes wrought by the magic
lamp OF Aladdin. We rely upon the admins
tration to pursue policy of reconstruction
which will best subscrve the general and per-
manent interests of the country. We have
great confidence in the experience, energy and
discretion of President Johnson. But there is
one subject to which we would especially call
the attention of the federal government, our
State governments and the people at large.
We refer to the duty and necessity Of provid-
ing for the comfortable maintenance of our
discharged soldiers and sailors, especially the
sick and disabled. In all public and pri-
vate offices or employments where they can
be serviceable their claims should be con-
sidered the first and the best; and the widows
battle fields of the South should not be for
gotten.
In the splendid career Of peace, prosperity,
power and glory, upon which we are now en-
tering, let US bear in grateful remembrance the
brave soldiers and sailors through whose per-
sistent labors, sufferings and sacrifices the glo-
rious cause of the Union has been redeemed
and permanently established.
THE RESOURCES or THE CoUNTRY.-Now that
the tumult Of war is over and thousands of
our soldiers will be soon returning to their
former peaceful avocations a wonderful de.
velopmcnt of the resources of the country will
commence. The manufacturing interests, pro.
tected and stimulated by the high tariff, will
take fresh start. The mining business will
open up with renewed vigor. The agricultural
districts all over the country will be more ex.
tensively cultivated, and new regions in the
West and on the Pacific will give up their
latent wealth more profusely to the labor and
industry Of another race Of agriculturists-ou
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