The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-16
Jeff. Davis in Orinoline.

Much has been said about the "last ditch,
during the war-a phrase of which the bogus
President, we believe, is author-but it seems
Davis was not found in the last ditch, but en-.
shrined in crinoline. Now we suppose hus-
band has as much right to wear his wife's pet
ticoats as she has to wear his breeches. In
looking over the last message or proclamation
Davis ever issued or will ever publish to the
world, we find many things worthy of com
ment, but our space will not allow us to speak
OF them in ertenso. Abiding to Lees sur
render of the rebel capital, Davis said in his
last proclamation:
1t is for us, my countrymen, to show by our
bearing under reverses how wretched has
been the self-deception of those who have be-
lieved us less able to endure misfortune with
fortitude than to encounter dangers with cour-
age.
Now that shows he has some pluck left, but
it did deceive his people, and for that purpose
he intended it.
Again he says in the same document:
We have entered upon a new phase of the
struggle. Relieved from the necessity of
guarding particular points, our army will be
iree TO move from point to point to strike the
enemy Ia detail far from his base Let us but
will it and we are free.
Now comes sentiment that strangely con-
trasts with the condition in which he was
found when captured, and borders closely on
the ridiculous. Hard-hearted persons may be
inclined to laughter when they read it. He
says
Animated by that confidence in spirit and
fortitude which never yet failed me. / an
nounce to you, fellow-countrymen, that it is
my purpose to maintain your cause with my
whole heart and soul; that will never con-
sent to abandon to the enemy one foot of the
soil Of any one of the States of the Confeder-
acy.
Alas for poor Jefferson DIP Where now
that Esprit and fortitude' that never failed
him? All oozed out, and the trembling bragg
CART found enveloped within cloud of crino-
Incl How tickle Dame Fortune isl
The truth is, Jefferson Davis has written
himself down as one of the greatest braggarts
Of the age. His record is bad ons for him.
There are certain portions OF his speeches,
proclamations and messages which will excite
the laughter of the historian while making a
record Of this rebellion.
fiWhst cracker Ia this same that deafs orr ears
With this abundance OF superhnous BREATH"
If he had surrendered himself prisoner of
war when Richmond was evacuated, or when
Lee gave up himself and his army, he would
have stood better In the worlds estimation
than he now does. The end of his career as
bogus President is indeed sad one for him.
After having published SO many high-sound-
ing manifestoes and spread himself SO extern
sively on paper, and then at last to be found
trembling in his wife's petticoats, makes up a
shocking picture at which the world will
laugh. While viewing such a picture we con-
TESS to a feeling of pity for the man. We have
no disposition to throw contempt upon, nor to
strike him after he is down, but he has done
vast deal of mischief and been instrumental
in shedding rivers Of blood. For these crimes
he should suffer, and the wicked always suF-
fer. Punishment for crimes against state
find their limitations in the necessities of So
cisty. Neither governments nor. laws seek
vengeance, for that belongs to higher Tribu-
| nal.