The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-01-17

/
Hon. Henry S. Foote, late representative
in the rebel House OF Representatives, &C
companiod by his wife, made an attempi
last week to escape from the desp0tism q
JET. Davis, and ct within the Federal
lines. He succeeded in reaching Dumfries
about 10 miles from Alexandra, Va, where
he was arrested by order Of the rebel See
rotary Of War, and taken back to Rich
mond, q prisoner. Mrs. Foote was permit
ted to proceed on her journey, and she
has, after being held in custody shOrt
while At Alexandria, reached Washington.
Mrs.. Foote's estate IS in this county, and we
/ presume il Is her intention to return "a
! Nashville.
After making the speech, published some
weeks ago, in which he stated that he did
not expect to address the House again, Mr..
Z Foote carried out his designs and become
q priys.e citizen. Finding that all pow
or was fast being eentered in JEFF. Davis,
and that the opposition to the despot could
scarcely effect anything, he concluded to
abandon the country and seek refuge under
the stars and stripes. But, he has been
thwarted, and is nsw in the power Of his
old enemy, who has hated him since the
memorable political crisis Of 1859. He has
nothing 10 expect from the msgnanimity Of
Jea. Davis and his satellites, in whose sides
he has long been q thorn,-and by whom
he's regarded as q Marplot. In their pow
er, thoy will not permit him to escape to
give them further trouble, unless the Presi-
dent Of the United States can successfully
interfere in his behalf. The statement Of
Mrs. Foote touching his views aud inten-
tons, telegraphed yesterday, and to be
found elsewhere in our columns, viii, when
t. reaches Richmond, be deemed strong ev-
idence against him, and his enemies will
not scruple to use it. We have no doubt he
viii be prosecuted for treason.
The abandonment of the rebel caure by a
leader Of the ability Of Mr.. Foote, is q mat
ter Of no small moment, whatever may be
the general opinion respecting his individ
ual merits or dement's. Having, to join
the rebellion, turned his back upon meas
ures and principles firmly and ably sup
ported for almost an ordinary lifetime, he
would not most assuredly betray his new
allies, if they did not contemplate some
thing % monstrous, no one possessing q
spark Of manly spirit could support it.
A he announced on the floor of Congress,
he -res that tho rebel leaders are laying
the foundations Of a despotism such as
never before oppressed any portion Of the
human race claiming to be civilized and
enlightened. If he did not ferVently be-
lieve this, he could not think Of returning
to the protection of government he DELHI
erately and greatly wronged. His course
ought to satisfy every one who retains a
lingering hope Of Southern independence
and Liberty, TO abandon it, and exert his
influence for the continued vigorous prose-
cution Of the war, that the oyer-shadoWing
despotism of the rebel leaders may be
crushed, the Union preserved, and the Peo-
pie Of the South protected in their liber-
ties. If Mr.. Foote is not mistaken-and it
Is not possible that he should be-the
only hope of safety the Southern people
now have is in the success Of the armies Of
Greni, and his Generals. God speed them
in their work Of redemption.