The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-24
JEFF. Davis and his CONGRESS.


1t will be recollected by our readers tnA'
JEFF. Davis was anxious that bis CONFESS
should hold on little longer and nos aoJouin
while matters looked so squally In his domln-
ions. Although the members OF his congress
were exceedingly anxious to get out OF Tue
citv. vet in Difference to their President, they
concluded TO larry short time longer and re-
ceiye any information he might be pleased to
communicate to them. 1t must be confessed
that these Congressman were legislating sun
der difficulties" for Davis in his message told
them plainly, "The Capital of the Confederate
States is now threatened, and it is in greater
danger than 1t has heretofore been during the
war" ass.lAh In2st ,sal3p-t RI
Now these lawmakers had quite strong
suspicion that such was the fact even before
the President mas compelled by force OF cir
cumstances to communicate it to them. For
weeks they had been anxious to leave Rich
mond and to return to their own hearthstones,
where they hoped to find greater safety to
their persons than they found in the rebel
capital. They were not to be blamed for wish
ing to avoid the trap" Grant had set for them.
This bulldog General" as they call him, con-
tinues to hold on, and no force yet has been
able to relax his grip. Surely Grant is ter
ror to evil doors, and no wonder these rebel
congressman learned wisdom from rats that
always leave sinking ship. - Fl
The President wrote them an elaborate
message, calling upon them with intense ear
nestness to do something to help their cause
in its present crisis. he stated facts, argued
with them, entreated and importuned them to
adopt such measures as would give men and
means to their tottering and almost hopeless
cause. he told them in express language
that their Government can never redeem in
coin the obligation to pay fifty dollars bush
ell for corn, or seven hundred barrel for
fourP He urges them with much pathos
and power to do something in these times that
are trying their very souls. He closes his APP
peal in these words: w !
ITO you especially as Senators and Repre-
seetatives, do the people look for encourage
ment and counsel. To your action-not only
In legislative halls, but in your homes-yiil
their eyes be turned for the example of what
Is behtting men who by willing sacrifices on
the altar of freedom show that they are
worthy to enjoy its blessings" sso
And what did these wise and cautious Sen
ators and Representatives do for their dis
tressed and suffering country2 Did they leg
islate corn down to less than seven dollars
bushel or barrel of -four less than seven
hundred dollars? Did they legislate more
men into the ranks of Gen. Lee? No, they
did nothing that can help their cause, and
turned deaf ear to their masters pathetic
appeal Their greatest anxiety was to get
out OF Richmond as soon as possible, and their
motto seemed to be: ''The devil take the
hindermost" However much the CALLED jade
might vince, they were resolved that their
withers should remain unwrung. Prudent
and cautious gentlemenl They INTEND 70
keep Kentucky hemp as far from their necks
as possible. Self preservation is the first
law of nature.
But jeff Davis did not stop short of the
hGbeas corpus questionin his appeal TO these
worthless. On this subject he lectnred them
gently and asked flf its suspension. g If not
now" he says, "then confess myself at a
loss to imagine contingency in which such a
measure would be advisable" witch is equiv
alent to expressing the opinion that affairs in
the Confederacy were never before in such o
bad state. And who is there, in or out OF
rebellion, that will dispute his words? We
believe matters in Dixie were never before In
so bad Six" And it seems to us that noth-
ing short of the interposition of Almighty
Power cam save them and give them separ-s
ate and independent government. And we
haven't the most distant idea that such power
will be exercised in their behalf.
The truth Island JEFF Davis, with all his
cunning and fine use of language, cannot COW
er It up or hide it from the world-the Confed.
eracy begins to hear the death-rattle in its
own throat, and no legislative power could
have cured that disease, or made its noise less
frightful and alarming, even If these 'Sena-
tors and Representatives" had listen to Jeff's.
appeal and performed the work he laid out
for them. Legislation can furnish no relief to
the rebellion and 40 doubt the Rebel Presi,
dent thinks so. But he was bound to make a
show, and perhaps for the purpose Of covering
up some other plans of which we have receiv-
cd no intelligence. III s3s 5osl s.5s
The question is still agitated whether Rich
mond will be evacuated, or whether Lee viii
defend it with all the power of the Coniedera
cy and make its vicinity the great and last
battlefield. There are various speculations
on the subject, some think he will adopt that
course, while others believe he will leave
Richmond and confront Sherman's army at
Raleigh or some other point far away ircm
Richmond. Our impression has been that Lee
would pursue the latter course and fight ShtI-
man before he formed a junction with Grant
But these speculations are barren of much use
or Importance. Time, and that shortly, will
tell the story.
That Lee feels he has not sufficient power
to attack the united armies of Sherman and
Grant there can be no doubt. This earnest
call for negro help in this his extremity proves
the fact beyond question. 1t is conjectured
by many that the Rebel President will "abdi
cate his throne" and leave for "parts unknown
placing all the power and responsibilities in
the hands of Lee, and escape to some place of
safety for himself and family. But these
conJectures Will pass tor what they are worth.
1t is quite probable that Mr.. Davis would not
like to become prisoner of war. He will not
run that hazard If he can help it. And who
can blame him? He stauds at the head Of the
great rebellion, and prefers, no doubt, to have
the name of skedaddler rather than fall into
Grants or Sherman's hands, His case is a hard
one in any view that can be taken Of it. He
viii never remain on earth long enough 10
outliVe the name of traitor to his country.
The London Times on our Military Situa-