The Confederate Government is in
Richmond.
It has come to make its
home with us during our struggle with the
North.
It could not bear the discomfort of living so remote as
Montgomery from the seat of danger and the theatre of the campaign.
It could not brook the idea of being itself secure, while
Virginia was in danger.
It desired to meet the enemy face to face.
It wished to plant itself in the very heat and heart of the battle,--its toe to the foe. It would not consent like that prudent captain in the fable, to bid the gallant troops of the
Confederacy go and fight.
It preferred to say,
come and do battle with us. It longed to be in the very midst of events, in the bosom of the army.
It has done wisely; it has behaved gallantly;
Virginia welcomes it with outstretched arms and swelling hearts.
President Davis is here, worn with labor, but nerved to the high duties of his responsible position.
The spacious mansion of
Mr. Crenshaw, on
Leigh and Thirteenth sts, the one built by
Dr. Brockenbrough, has been taken for his residence.
That is to be the
White House of the
South.
There will his gifted lady, not less talented and intellectual than himself, dispense the refined hospitalities which befit the residence of the chief man and loftiest statesman of all the
South.
Richmond may felicitate herself upon the acquisition she has made, in the families of the
President and Cabinet, to her social and fashionable circles.
The people of
Virginia will appreciate this advent of the
Southern Government to her own metropolis.
It is a pledge the very highest which the
South could give of the purpose which actuates her in this struggle.
It is not merely a President and Cabinet, but it is ten great States, ten powerful and indomitable allies that present themselves in their persons upon her soil.
Mr. Coeb, in a speech at
Atlanta, has eloquently explained the motives which actuated the men at
Montgomery in coming to
Richmond:
‘
If you wish to know why the
Government was removed to
Richmond, I can say, circumstances have arisen that have rendered it proper.
We have received the Old Dominion into our Confederacy.
Her soil will, perhaps, be the battle ground of this struggle.
Her enemies are gathered around her to force her into subjection to their foul dictates.
We felt it our duty to be at the seat of war. We wanted to let
Virginia know that whatever threats or dangers were presented to her, filled our hearts with sympathy for her, which we are willing to exhibit, to show that there was not a man in the
Confederacy who was afraid to be at his post on
Virginia soil.
We also wanted to be near our brave boys, so that when we threw off the badge of Legislators, we might take up arms and share with them the fortunes of war. We felt the cause of
Virginia to be the cause of us all. If she falls, we shall all fall; and we were willing to be at the spot to be among the first victims.
We were ready to say to
Lincoln, when he attempts to put his foot on
Virginia soil, ‘"Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther."’ (Cheers)
The presence of the Confederate Government, backed by all the power of the
Southern States, and supported by the hundreds of regiments now on their way to
Virginia, will put our safety beyond peradventure, whatever be the force
Gen. Scott may throw into
Virginia.
We shall soon assume the offensive.--Our regiments will soon be
at the enemy and be
after him. It is well to accustom our men for a little while to the presence of the opposing forces, and to indoctrinate them in warfare by skirmishes and sallies.
It is well to ascertain by a brief practice of the Fabian policy the designs and plans of the enemy.
It is well to let him penetrate somewhat into the interior in order that when we do strike he may be the more completely in our power.
It is well to allow as large forces as possible to accumulate around our standards before decisive measures are taken.
It is well that the Confederate Government should become a little familiar with the field and with the position of affairs before the war is opened in earnest.
Delays are not dangerous in war when they are employed by the masters of strategy.
We feel implicit confidence in the ability of the
Government and its
Generals.
Educated at
West Point to the profession of arms, schooled to active war in the campaigns of
Mexico, familiarized with the manipulations of troops and with the mechanism of army organization by four years experience in the Department of War at
Washington,
President Davis, of all the men of the
South, is probably the one most thoroughly qualified for the duties of
Commander-in-Chief in the present contest.
His high personal traits of character, his iron will, his indomitable spirit, his tried courage, his laborious habits of business, his mastery of details, his propensity to do
thoroughly whatever he undertakes at all, his temperance his prudence, his wisdom, his unselfishness, his piety, his freedom from all partisan asperity and all partisan chicanery, his amiable and catholic temper which extorted the respect and admiration of the most violent abolition curs in the Senate at
Washington — all these qualities mark
President Davis out, not merely as the chosen of the people for the grave responsibilities of his present position, but as the instrument of
Providence for accomplishing its own beneficent designs.
It is impossible that the
South should not feel secure with such a man as this at the helm; and thrice welcome is he to
Richmond, where all respect, admire, and confide in him.
’
