Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1864-1865, 1865-05-16

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We can but surmise, and attribute it
to many causes, the principal one Of
which, We think, was the want of
provision; however, as this ia mere
conjecture on our part. we will not
attempt to con6ne ourselves to the
causes. That the clouds lowering
over us are very dark every person
Of common sense can see for them
selves. In this Department. doubt.
less, we could prolong the struggle,
but can We furnish the troops with
food As it ia now, there ia Il scar.
city of provision, and the consump.
ton is far greater than the supply
Can we expect 10 have more, is 3
question easier asked than answ cred
If the ueccssaries of life are stored
away. they could. probably, be
brongh: to ligh, by compulsion on
the part of our military authorities
but we candiIly believe tina. such is
not the case; that the scarcity OF
provision is really, and in shor:
time will be apparent 10 all.
If it is the intention Of the mill
tary of This Department not to nego'
tiate with the enemy, why is it that
we do not See or hear Of preparations
for bloody war; That our people
(the civiliansl are divided on the
subiec, Of making resistance to the
fee, we are we'll aware. Some think
that if we can make agreeable terms
with the Federals. it will be better
for us; that our property will not be
destroyed, and our plantations laid
waste, while We viii receive better
trea,men, at their hands. Cn the
other hand, many favor fighting unto
death. rather than submit to any
terms Of surrender. Under the cir
cumstarcrs it is very difficult to ar
rive at conclusion. but we
think tina, the Comm andet O, this
Department is sufficiently CONVEX
SAINT with The condition of affairs
here, TO enable him to shape his
course as he deems best for his peo-
ply and his country. We have SUI.
f;cieut confidence in Gen. E. Kirby
Smith to avail: his decision, and
abide by it. TO urge our people
on TO fight to the last man we cannot
conscientiously do, much less will
we discourage them by word or deed
What We need most now is good, So
Der council. rrprejudicsd by what is
past, aud with an eye TO our future
prospects and destiny AS part OF
the Southern Conted-racy. Should
we be overpovered and compelled to
surrender to q superior force. ours
will still be a great and glorious re-
cord for the chivalvy of the South
ern people in days to come, and the
failure on our par: to accomplish our
purpose will no, be attributable to a
wan. of patriotism or bravery on
the part of our soidiery, for we will
have to succomb through compassion
only, to a force far superior in mum
beers and having at their command
all the facilities ard requisites for
wasing war against a people, compa'
ratively speaking, i'll prepared fo'
defence. We had, and still have, the
spirit, but the means were lacking.
Whatever views our readers may
entertain on this important subject
they must bear IN mind that this is
no time for caviling, and accusing
one another with being the cause Of
our downfall. With gu: few excep
tons, we believe tia. all have done
their part TO the best O: their ability
Tha; this war has impoverished
many and filled the Golfers Of others
;s too true, We, this is but the natu.a
result Of war; and should this strug
gle terminate soon, in our favor OIL
against US, we must bear christian
feeling towards each other, and as
sist so far as our circumstances viii
permit, the necessities required by
our fellows who are unfortunate
Let all selfish feelings be cast to TIL
winds, and our people remain uuitet
now in their acts and feelings.
Let the worst come to the wors
G L .-..S.~l Il