Washington telegraph., 1865-05-10
Counsel with our Readers.

simple earnest words coming from the depths OF
pure patriotism, and dictated BY hearty de-
sire for the honor and well being of our citizens
can meet, or should meet with any attention.
The simplest langusge is now the most slo-
quert Whoever can make any good sugges-
| tion. or confirm aue good purpose, is the proper
speaker
We feel this in what we say to our readers.
Their fortunes our fortunes-we mean
those who have established and sustained the
Southern Confedcracy. The most prominent
and active Of them, those whom we have trust
cd in prosperity, and looked to with hope and
confidence, to conduct car affairs to success
full issue-more so than all. We have elevated
them to their positions not to betray and desert
them in calamity, but as our representative men,
in council and in the field; to whom are
bound TO adhere by every tie Of honor. We
know they are human and may have erred bat
nunciatior, to hide from our own souls the
shame of our own weak regeneration.
The same with regard TO thosc who have
stood shoulder to shoulder with us in this our
struggle for independence, which we believe to
be rig htcous. and which we hope TO be success
full. We have rejocsd with them in prosperity
and now share thor anxieties, their hopes and
th.ir fears We are one with them and would no
more speak to them disingenuous word. than
We would to brother sharing common dam
ger. We cannot seek to infuse a single hope
" which we do not feel, nor would we conceal a
II
TO forcssc, to battle against or rally from in
case Of the worst. We wculd feel conscious OF
iaisehood to counsel single act, which we do
not earnestly believe right, and which VIC are
not willing TO perform with all lis consequences.
Let Us then cast aside all fictitious husias N
or pr, tencs of such, and reason together as
men, deeply concerned with the most important
Interests whiah can affect their country, their
tuIni.iss, ard their own lives and honor.
First. let us appreciate this fact: We cannot
yield 10 the demands OF the enemy withsut
disgrace Let US look lin the face, for it is true,
and in spite of all our sophissry will lalk in
our CONS, iou.Esss, and bow our heads,
and thess ef oHI cLilGTsn who retain eur
mory. We cannot disguise it from our
selves, much less from she world. less
still from the ster,. verdict Of history We will
yield everything for which sontended. We
will stnnd rebuksd for our hatred and contempt
OF the foe Our former boasts of prowsss will
excite the laugh OF scoTn. Our loudly express
cd determinations TO sacrifice all, rather than
live under such government, VIII all be looked
upon, as they deserve to be, rs mere gasconsdc,
as hollow pro,es;stions and vapid sraggardism.
which had Eet he courage and endurance
70 sustain in the acting.
Nor looking bsok upcn the glsrioxs achieve
rnsEts Of the last four years, and ,Bnay hv man,
plaudi.s which th.ent statesmen ns marking The
7 aao-sc-5istaza net Msrld has given Us in the
iaiip. s}0zs Q! ey>sts, can we 60 On TO deceive
ourselves with tie hope shat we will De regard
ed as brave and noble people, whs conisrded
nl2u.ully for our rights and yielded at last only
10 inevitable necessity. We can scalc,;y hope
10 buy SO chcsply lhs honor of Rankiad, ol
shake oH SO easily the edium Of unsucce sstul
rebellion.
We will not eIcapa the snecr OF mankind,
saying, ''Wo had peaceful government which
protected eur persons, an still allowed US the
slioymen! of our institutions within our State
limits, we threw it OF, were subjugsted, aE1
returned, shorn Of all our rights; abjscs suppli-
ants fox favor" This will be the truth
Why shut our eyes to it! 1t stands in its naked
oa,hsomcnes,. Only by gazing boldly upon
il, and recognising it as such, can we escape
.he shame of realizing Il as !act oi eA
perienco. Should TIA. occur sho stain Will
ue indeIlible-ior US and our posterity. fslt
FIfit music upon us, there can be only one
palliative that we backed our determination
not only by arLuous struggle snd extreme sac
Tihces; bat by long endurance and the comPIet'
and final exhaustion OF our last resources. ha
wo havs net done and we know it. five yiell
now, it will bs said Of US, and truly, that nsyel
in the history of the world WAS there people
W no had sach vas. resources, OF natural wssith
of territory, men, and means, who had SO mucI
AT stake and yielded SO easily}
Ii is because we never conceived such weak
ness possible 10 our people, that We have nersl
ialt red i'll cur confidence OF fnal success
even yes, should we despair. and strive for th'
palliative, that very struggle will ensure sue
cess. by deserving it, it will come, even ii u
expected aud uhhoped for.
( We have territory equal to that Of the enc
my. The inhabitants of much Of it aIe owe
run but their hearts are ours. and the td'
of battle pushes tho ereiny way, their resour
c are ours. We started with 5000 600 o
people If cur armies small, it is because
our men are II os;ly scattered, not killed, Th
seine Of CONSUMPTION has been defeated by ih
| sieve OF desertion and struggling aud skulking
bu; the material is there and needs only rail- ying
Spirit and patriotism are catching. Hercism Il
| gudlike and nhuenees othors. If we are tru'
| 10 ourselves and our causr, we may rally. III,
| world Viii not excuse Ms from the effort, no
Ai 10 suspect that, if W. succumb now, it il
from fear of suffering, or the equally base de
sire to save what VIC have left. at the cost Of no
noT and dignity
| Fox honor and dignity are inevitably lost b,
surrender. Read the reasons for rejecting pro
sosals, III theusclves hUmIiating enough, which
| had been agreed to by Gen. Johnston aud GU
Secretary OF Va. Can you act to satisfy thos'
| ohirctiens Ask your hearth
| We do ne. remember in history any more hu