The New York herald., 1865-03-11

The Reign OF Terror at Richmond
strong signs Of u Collapse without
Another Battle.
OF all the cities in Christendom there Is none
in which the civil authorities, the military and
the inhabitants generally, are at this time in
the dreadful situation of those at Richmond.
There may now be seen all the elements of
destitution, despair, distrust, discords and con-
spiracies in full play. As the coils Of the Union
armies tighten around that doomed city; as the
arch traitor Of this rebellion and his ruling
confederates find themselves cut of from their
sources of supply and their lines Of retreat; as
they are startled in the evening by reports Of
thckening disasters in the field, and are warned
in the morning of increasing desertions from
their camps at night, they turn to plots, and
threats, and fierce denunciations among them
selves. This man accuses that man, or this
clique the other, as causing the sufferings and
humiliations for which they are responsible.
The base passions which carried them all head
long into their insane revolt are now, In "their
last ditch" driving them to the extremity Of
devouring each other
"What mean these rumors," asks correspond
ent of the Richmond Esquirer-"these rumors
Of senatorial committees approaching the Pre-
sident to submit terms of submission? Is that
report true? Are any Senators or Representa-
.tives whipped Have they approached the
President to press upon him any such base pro-
positions? Who were the Senators? What were
the propositions Is there any plan on foot to
compromise with subjugation, or resign? Is there
any one else to volunteer resignation in case he
JeE Davis) is forced TO vacate?" Is the hint
abroad "that General Lee is ready to consider
terms for laying down arms? Who are busy in
these plans? Let US know the worst that the sum-
mary remedy may be applied" The Enquirer
editor, in answer to these questions, says be has
''no doubt that plan was on foot to force Mr.
Davis to resign, and that Mr.. Stephens (vice
President) had consented to resign, SO that Mr.
Hunter, as President Of the Senate, would be-
come President" But, says the Enquirer in
its impotent rage, in this extremity Robert E.
Lee twill grasp the sceptre they may wrench
from the hands of Mr.. Davis" and "no cabal of
whipped seceders shall capitulate their country
into slavery and crouch at the tootstool of Mr..
Lincoln"
From these significant revelations it is evi-
dent that the peace party at Richmond do not
intend to rest short of the removal of JEFF.
destruction, and they are resolved to displaoe
him. But the Sentinel the confidential organ Of
Davis, tells these consprators that he will fight
them, that he and his party do not intend to
be sold out or betrayed by them. Let them be
sure that such is the temper of the public mind
that to. attempt this (the selling out Of jeff
would be as much as the mans life would be
worth. If he (Jef. and his supporters) cannot
find law in the books for such cases we will be
q law unto ourselvej-in other words, JEFF, If
necessary, will take the law into his own hands,
and hang up few Of these conspirators-these
i" whipped seceders," these every men who,
the foremost to secede, are tho first to surren-
DER"
We doubt not that Senator Hunter is among
the men thus pointed at 1t was his vote that
defeated the bill in the rebel Congress for arm
ing the negroes. He was one of the rebel COM
missioners in the late Hampton Roads peace
conference, the rebel Vice President Stephens
and the late United States Judge Campbell
being the other two. Directly after their return
to Richmond, Stephens and Campbell disap-
peared, and have not since been heard Of. They
have left the implacable JEFF. to his fate. Hun
ter, as President of the rebel Senate, was
to stay, and compelled to make a
war speech. But it was cold affair, and in it
there were no denunciations of Abraham
Lincoln. That war splutter got up by jeff
dry weeds. The shouts of the rebel soldiers,
in honor Of their peace commissioners as they
were going out, were not repeated on their re-
turn. On the contrary, since their return, the
dcsert.ons from Lees army have increased
from tens and twenties TO fiftics and hundreds
every day.
We have the same story from South Carolina.
The detachments from Gllmores column, sent
out to scour the country inland from Charleston
and Georgetown, meet with little or no resist
ance, but find the swamps very lively with
rebel deserters. We guess, too, that Joe john
ston has no information to give Of Sherman's 3
movements, because the rebel forces of North
Carolina are too weak and demoralized to be
trusted within striking distance of Sherman.
But, looking only at the condition Of things in
Richmond, we shall not be surprised if at any
moment now we hear from General Grant that
Jeif Davis has abdicated and fled to parts un-
known, and that Senator Hunter, as acting Pre-
sident of a defunct coniederacy, has, under a
flag of truce, asked for another hearing in behalf
Of peace.
SECRETARY McCUILoCH's SPEEcH.-It is GUS
tomary when new Cabinet official enters upon
his Office for the subordinates of the depart
ment TO wait upon him and tender their re-
spects and congratulations. Such has been
done upon the elevation of Mr.. Hugh .McCul-
L. 4. 49, t1.~ IA. rxtu.