The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-01-01

failure" which the public had pronounc
ed against him, and which he might have
seen written in the faces of slouched and
dispirited soldiers who yet attended him.
His gltterng eye was not yet quenched
his slackened nerves were strung up with
a new resolution and hope; he was practi-
cling that most difficult art of life, which
maintains even manners in Sudden adyersi-
ty, and with the trained gamblers steady
challenge, coolly and deliberately tries the
last resource of fortune. But even that
last resource was denied him. Fortune
had no more stakes for him; and with the
sharp pain of the gamester, who prepared
Tor the last chance. and then finds he has
miscounted. and has no means even to try
that men who had bargained for empire,
and played with the destines of whole
communities, suddenly found himself
without single soldier at his command,
and hunted fugitive in peril of his life
In the little town of Abbevile Mr.. Da-
Wis summoned his officers to council; he
was determined to try their resolution, and
anxious to ascertain the spirit Of their
men. The only full Generals who yet at
tended him We're Bragg, his military adj
vlser," and Breckinidge. lately Secretary
OF War; There were five brigade COM
manders present at the conference. 10
this small but important audience Mr.. Da-
Wis addressed himself with all the powers
of his wonderful and subtle Intellect. The
old impprious look was yet in his worn
face; the eye, trau>fxed with neuralgia
pain, with its deep recess of light, shone
steady and defiant the thin yisage was
illuminated by the active mind and shone
with the animated discourse. He spoke in
the even, slvery tones Of his accustomed
eloquence one of the greatest orators Of
modern times, exceling in the powers OF
statement or narration, ingenious even to
sophistry, joining a winning and persua-
sive manner to words culled from the choi-
cest resource Of languages, he now tried all
his powers in this critical opportunity
He declared that the country was only
suffering from violent surprises and an ex-
aggerated alarm; its resolution would soon
be erect again the present condition was
that Of panic, and patriotism would soon
be aroused when it heard the commanding
and re-assuring tones of authority. He
insisted that the war was not hopeless
The armies could be reassembled, and
there would be calls for new enlistments
and new incentives to the country's ser
vice.
He said that even the few hundred
men yet counted around him were en-
ongh to prolong the war until the panic
had passed away, and they would then
be nucleus for thousands more. He
urged his officers to accept his views,
and animate their men to stand to the
good cause, whose honor they had SO
long maintained, and whose last hopes
they now carried on their bayonets.
His auditors were silent. At length,
they spoke, one by one, each brigade
commander stating the condition and
temper of his men, and declaring his
view of the situation. 1t was a plain
unanimous judgment: the war could
not succeed and should not be prolong-
ed; they could not ask their men te
struggle against a fate which was inev.
table and forfeit all hopes of restora-
ton to their homes and friends; but
they would insist that their honor was
involved in securing the escape of Mr.
Davis, and for the accomplishment Of
this object they would risk battle, and
put off submission to the last moment
"No, mop exclaimed the unhappy
chief, in passionate accents. ~ will
hear of no plan which has for itsobject
only my safety" Then speaking
slowly and bitterly, with a deep and
fearful change settling on his c0untcn-
ance, he said: Allhope is gone! Alas,
that / should see the day when all the
friends of the South are prepared to
consent to her degradation" He fall
tered, and sat down in silence; every
one in the room respected him toe
much to reply.
/ Presently, without even gesture Of
courteous retirement, without any ac-
acknowledgement of the company what
ever, he rose to leave the room; and il
was observed that he had lost his erect
carriage.and defiant port. A weight Of
years appeared to have suddenly fallen
on the stricken sufferer. The eyes
were uneasy in the pale, pinched face
and so uncertain and tottering was his
step, that General Breckenridge moved
to his side, and giving him his arm
supported him from the room. Not a
single word was spoken.
1t is true and delicate philosopher
who, exploring scene of despair, says;
The sentiment that attends the sud
den revelation that all is lost is silent
ly gathered up into the heart. 1t is
too deep for gestures or for words
The voice perishes, the gestures are
frozen, and the spirit Of man flies hack
upon its own CENTER"
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