Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-09

him sure OF 100 majority in tho Conven'
ton. but it is quite likely 10 be $50 and
may rise 10 200
Cheated, but not Conquered.
In his late speech before the Southern
Historical Society. jeff. Davis informed
his fellow historians, that "Lhe South was
more cheated and delrauded than con-
ouered, by the declarations OF The FEEDER
al President, Congress aud generals. aud
there never could have been u surrender.
had the ConIederates anticipated what
has since occurred, and to-day we would
have been free" Cheated and deiraud
eun are expressive terms. Lee surren'
dered because he was cheated by
Grant johnson WAS ''dcirauded" 10y Sher.
man out OF his sword. These expires
sious will sound well in y Southern his.
tory, and may tend to make It a popular
Textbook in some sections OF the South
But they are tar from complimentary TO
the skillful generals who led the Conled-
crate armies. or the brave men who tell
fighting in their shattered ranks. II our
impression. are correct. Lee fought until
he could fight no longer Ills retreat
was cut OF, and to continue the struggle
would have been. not soldiery. bu; butch
cry on his pant 1t was in view OF this
hopeless condition OF the rebel army,
that General Grant sent the following
note to General Lee on the 9Th OF April,
1865, TWO days before the actual surrender
took pace.
GENERAL The result OF the last
week must convince you OF the hopeless
ness Of further resistance on the part OF
the Army of Northern Virginia, in THIS
struggle. feel that 1t is SO. and regard
il As my duty 10 shift from myself the
responsibility of any further eilusion OF
blood; by asking of you the surrender OF
that portion OF the Confederate States
Army. known rs the Army Of Northern
Virginia
This is the first effort on the part OF
Grant TO cheat and delraud" Lee into
the surrender OF his army. Before Lee
could make up his mind that Grants
view was right, he made one desperate
effort to break through our cavalry that
stood in the line OF his retreat. This was
ON the 9th. the day of the surrender The
last ditch was reached. and The only alter
native was surrender, OF annihilation-
Yet the historical Davis says that the
Coniederates were not conquered, but
"cheated and deiraudedn into a surren-
der. If he had stood by Lee during that
fiery trial, instead OF seeking safety IN
headlong flight. he would have thought
differently. III the Conlederates antlci'
pated what has since occurred they would
never have surrendered. says this silly
old revolutionst. Ii tue Conlederates
anticipated what followed the firing on
Sumpter, there would have been no war.
But they allowed Davis and few false
prophets TO anticipate for them, and the
result was bloody and devastating war.
Yet this prophet OF evil. who has done
greater injury 10 the South than any one
man, living or dead. has the eifrontery
to stand among the people he has ruincd'
and Justify the treason he practiced. and
preach its return us one Of the sacred
duties OF the rising generation. Instead
of following the example of Lee. who,
counselled the Southern people to seek
the restoration OF former prosperity
through peace and industry, Jetf. Davis
is going from place to place, keeping
alive the jealousies OF the war, tanning the
flames of passion, and sowing the seeds
of another rebellion among people who
sincerely desire peace. We believe
there is enough good sense in the South
to counteract the influence OF this bad
man. We can hardly believe that the
applause which greeted him at White
Sulphur Springs, Virginia. was the senii'
ment of the Southern people. Ii 1t was,
the work of reconstruction will be long
DELAYED, and the best interests OF the
South will suffer accordingly. If such
reasonable speeches as those uttered by
jeff. Davis are to be tolerated in the
South we may well despair of seeing 10y
atty the governing element i'll that Sec
ton. If Davis has any friends who be-
lieve the Union is better than the disor-
der he would bring about, they should
send him abroad, or advise him to keep
silent.