The Jeffersonian Democrat

Southern View of the Position.

The Richmond Sentinel of the 27th ult., contains a mournful and significant editorial on the situation. It says: "January has almost run its sands and spring approaches; the war, which further south has known no pause, will soon wake again. In Virginia, Grant is gathering his forces around us. His own army is entrenched near at hand. Sheridan is in the Valley. Thomas is in Tennessee, Sherman is menacing our southern connections, and with his face Southward, all the signs indicate an early combined and vigorous movement upon our great lines of railway and upon the capital of the country.

These months of winter were precious months of preparation. Two of them are gone and one remains. Has our work been accomplished? Have our policy and measures been acted upon? Has our army been organized? Has it been strengthened? Alas! that the time of preparation is commenced. We entreat Congress to wake up—we entreat the two houses to put a limit on garrulity, and go to work instantly with an unceasing energy. We have many scraps of legislation, but very few laws. Progress has been made in many things, but very little has been completed. The reorganization bill, the exemption bill, have passed both, but in different forms; no one of them is yet a law. The tax bills are not yet commenced. The prompt passage of proper measures on these subjects would have been a great benefit.

"It only remains to us now to abbreviate the evils of further delay. Those evils are more threatening than before, for the campaign is nearly here. There is not a day to lose—let us not lose a day. There is surely time now to arrest the torrent of debate and to inspire the country with energetic action. The people are prepared to respond to these vigorous measures. They only ask that Congress shall lead boldly and be prompt."