The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-14
Letter from the Federal Oapital.
The linton triumphant--Joy and rjoicinJ-'
Return Of the President.

SO rapid has been the march of events dur
Ing short time past, that one can hardy
keep pace with it. So mighty have peen tne
events crowded into these few days. that,
without great effort, the mind can hardy
adapt itself to them, or gain any adequate
conception of their vast proportions, or glo-
,;ous s;oniAcance. As travellers kborne at
railroad speed through the valleys of some
mountainous land, gaze half bewildered at the
stupendous scenes bursting upon them at ev-
cry turn, changing, and vanishing almost be-
fore the eye can adjust itself to them, so in
some sort have we beheld the recent develop
ments of the war, each succeeded while yet
fresh and unfamiliar by another ia the grand
series.
But though we cannot yet delineate these
great events, as the future historian and poet
will do, though we cannot yet realize all their
grandeur, or exactly assign to each its pre-
else value, yet our hearts, so often made sick
with hope deferred, hail them with an exulta-
ton which no others can ever feel. For four
long, bloody awful years has the nation been
beseiging the strongholds of rebel power,
often making but little sensible progress even
when most profusely expanding its strength,
and pouring out most lavishly its blood and
treasure; but now, on sudden, the battle
ments crumble, the towers totter and reel, the
walls sway and tumble, and where SO lately
stood defiant fortress, lies only helpless,
miserable ruin.
As these lines have been written, the boom
of guns from the forts has been filling the air,
and now battery nearer at hand, taking up
the burden, is jarring the solid walls OF the
Capitol. If there be any possible expression
of Joy not already exhausted, it must be
brought in requisition to day, to celebrate
the surrender OF Lee and the Army of North
ern Va. And it may we'll add zest to our
gratulations, that similar scenes are, doubtless,
taking place in all the cities of the land. Nor
less BETTING are those deep and heartfelt
thanksgivings, which will go up i-day to the
great Disposer of events from millions of loyal
bosoms; from many home that has been
| darkened, and from many heart that has
been made desolate by the war now SO near
its close. Thanks be to God ,cho giceth US
the uictory."
When one contrasts the present loyalty of
the Capital, decked as it is to-day with num-
berlsss flags, and resounding with patriotic
rejoicings, with its political state when seces-
sion badges might be met on any corner-con-
trasts the exultant joy of this hour with the
gloom and dependency which succeeded the
| terrible defeat at Fredericksburg, the alarm
that followed the second Bull Run, the anxious
pprehension-perhaps l might better say
dismay-that filled the city while Lee was
leading his unresisted army into the free
North, and again less than one year ago,
when Ewel's veterans appeared before the al
most isolated and at first but scantily defend
ed town, and the sound of hostile guns was
lie. Who that recalls the naughty insolence,
the contemptuous disdain with which the
leaders Of secession trampled under their
feet the Constitution and its requirements,
even in these very Halls of Congress; the
supreme arrogance with which they shouted
aud rallied defiance to the friends of hesUnion,
the inefable scorn with which they. added to
every challenge taunts, threats, and insults ;who
that recalls with what fierce and reckless IA
natacism they succeeded in filing the South
ern mind, and with what bloody persistence
they have ever chung to their purpose,-can
rejoice sufficiently at their deserved humilia-
ton, and at the vindication of the betrayed,
outraged, and insulted government? And
our rejoicing is all the more perfect, that the
loyal heart of the people viii not in word or
deed stain the great hour of its triumph. OF
that vindictive malignity which has possessed
many of the Southern leaders, and has found
its most perfect expression through the Rich
mond press which has exulted over the
slaughter of our men with the fierce delight
of cannibals, and gloated over our dead with
not only starved and frozen our prisoners to
death by thousands, but has rioted and
reveled in the contemplation of their horrible
sufferings with the hideous glee of devils; of
this disgusting and uttermost diabolism, thank
God, the North is perfectly free. There has
never been any deep bitterness in our hearts
toward the Southern people, nor is there any
hi drance to-day, on our part, 10 their imme-
date return to the blessings Of the Union.
The surrender just announced is very posi-
bly, the greatest, in point Of numbers, to be
found in the annals of modern warfare, and il
can hardly fail to be in its consequences the
most important 1t is hardly possible that
Johnston, noted for his caution, will attempt
to make any stand against the overwhelming
armies of the Union, or that Davis will give
his feet much rest till they repose in Mexico.
Corvallis surrender was not more decisive
of the Revolutionary war, nor Georgey's OF
the Hungarian, than Lees of this. Hence
forth our thoughts and plans turn toward
peace.
1t has been sometimes copjectured that our
elements of war, would not readily return to
the quiet of peaceful pursuits. This may be
the case with few bold, restless, adventurous
| spirits, but with them only When General
Schofeld's army was passing through this
city on its way to join our forces in North
Carolina, company of ladies one evening
visited some regiments who were staying
over night at the Soldiers Rest. The ladies
sang to them several pieces, while their rough
audience listened, touched and grateful. 1--WE
have heard no music" said they, Except that
of war and what little we have made ourselves
for three years." Then anxious to entertain
their visitors as best they might, they brought
out and exhibited with true soldiers pride
| their treasures their new hammer lust piven
them, its gold lace undimmed, and its rich
glossy folds blazed over with the names Of
those fields on which their valor had shown
conspicuous. Then there was their old flag
discolored by hundred storms, worn by the