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toie with confidence in tin* pledges of the govern*
ment. It is announced the future policy of the
financial department to issue no more treasury-
notes, and to receive nothing else in payment of
public dues till the quantity is reduced to healthy
circulation. This would be beneficial to the hold
ers of the notes. As the armies are to be support
ed, however, at a cost of hundreds of millions ol
dollars per annum, the announcement leaves no
doubt that it is to be douc in a great measure y
seizing property and paying for it in certificates or
bonds which will not pass as currency or in pay
ment of taxes. This would be little better than
legalized robbery, and if practiced long bj an\
government will drive the people to revolution as
the only means left of throwing off intolerable bur-
dens. *
Bv its effort to grasp absolute power, the Con
federate administration has greatly weakened our
armies, and results have shown its utter inability,
with all the power placed in its hands, to recruit
and till them up to a number sufficient to meet
the emergency. *
So fatal have been the results of our wretched
conscription policy, which, however well adapted
to control European serfs, or those raised to be
slaves of power, is so repugnant to the feelings
and spirit of a free people, that it has driven our
men iu despair to delinquency and desertion, till
the President has informed the country in bis Ma
con speech that two-thirds of those who compose
our armies are absent, most of them without leave.
If this be true, it shows a lamentable want ot pa
triotism and conrngefon the part of the people, or
an unwise and injudicious policy on the part of
the administration, which imperils the very exis
tence of the Confederacy, and calls for prompt and
energetic action on the part of the people to com
pel a change of policy, which, if longer persisted
in, must result in utter ruin.
If a planter who has one hundred faithful, trust
worthy hands upon his farm should employ an
overseer to manage it. and should visit it at a
critical period of the crop and find that two-thirds
of his hands are, and for a considerable time have
bean absent, and that the crop is being lost on that
account, he would doubtless decide that tile policy
of the overseer was ruiuona to his interest, and
dismiss him without hesitation. The people of
this Confederacy have employed an agent to con
duct for them a war for the dearest rights of free
men, and have placed at his command, subject to
the restraints thrown around him by the constitu
tional charter and the great principles of personal
liberty which lie at the foundation of free govern
ment, hundreds of thousands of as gallant self-
sacrificing citizen soldiers as ever took up arms
iu a righteous cause. He has adopted a policy
which has ignored personal liberty and the right of
citizen soldiers to go to the field in organizations
and under officers of their own choice, who have
their respect and confidence. The result has been
as our agent tells us, that two-thirds of these sol
diers are absent, the larger portion without leave,
at a time when their absence endangers our exis
tence as a people. What then is the duty of the
people of these States '! The answer is plain. They
•hould compel their agent to change liis policy
which treats free citizen soldiers fighting lor lib
erty as serfs, and to observe the great principles
for which we took up arms, or they should resume
the military powers with winch they have clothed
him and place them iy other hands where they
will he used as well for the protection of the rights
and liberties of the citizen as for the achievment.
of the independence of the Confederaoj*. "Without
this change of policy the armies cannot he recruit
ed to the necessary number and both liberty and
independence are lost together.
This ruinous policy of the Administration finds
no justification ip the Constitution of the country.
From the organisation ot the Government of the
United States to the disruption of the Union, the
uniform practice was to call upon the States, when
more troops than the regular iinnf were needed,
to furnish them organized ready for service. This
they could readily do, as all the machinery of the
State government could be brought to bear to
bring them out. Instead of enrolling officers of
the central government imported among them,
whom they knew not, and who were not in sym
pathy with them, all the militia officers and civil
officers of the counties, who are their neighbors and
triends, and whom they are accustomed to respect
and obey, could he charged with the duty of aid
ing in the- organization. Not only so, hut they
were permitted to go under officers of their own
neighborhoods, usually elected by them, and to go
with their own neighbors and relatives as their as
sociates aud companions in arms. This was not
only the practical aud successful mode, hut it was
the Constitutional one. That instrument declares
that Congress shall have power to provide for or
ganizing, arming and disciplining the rffilitia, and
for governing such part of then* as may lie em
ployed in the service of the Confederate States,
reserving to the States respectively the. appointment
of. l/ ir officers, and the authority of training the
militia ntcording to the discipline prescribed by
Congress.
Pending the consideration of this paragraph in
the Convention which formed the Constitution of
the United States, Mr. Madison moved to amend
it by inserting after the words “reserving to tlio
States respectively the appointment of the officers,
the words ‘under the rank of general officers.’ ”
The amendment if adopted would have left the
States to appoint all officers under the rank of
General, aud the Federal Government to appoint
the Generals. But so jealous were the States of
the power and patronage which this would have
given to the federal executive, that they rejected
by the vote of all the States except two ; and re
served to( the States the appointment of all the
officers to command the militia, when employed iu
the service of the United States. And lest there
should be a question about who is m.ent by the
militia to he commanded by officers api>** ; n ted by
the States when, employed in the - servie ; oft h e
Confederate States, the C- aStitution baa solved
that doubt. It says :
A.weUregub.^ nJ iijtiabeing necessary to the
security ^ u the right of the people to
^eep and bear arms shall not he infringed.”—
Hence it is plain that the word militia and the
word people mean the same, apply to the same
persons, ami are used as. synonomoiis terms. It
is clear, therefore, that the States have carefully
reserved the appointment of the officers to com
mand their anus-bearing people, when employed
in the service of the Confederate States.
If the President had adheared to this mode of
raising troops as Mr. Madison who was a promi
nent member of the Convention which framed the
Constitution, did in the war of 1812, his patron
age in the army wonld have been small. If on
the other hand the Constitutional mode were laid
aside, aud conscription adopted in lieu of it, giv
ing him the appointment of all the officers, his
patronage was immense.
It is said about six hundred regiments, or
enough of organized troops to make that number,
have been received into Confedei ate service from
all the States. Each regiment has ten companies,
and each company four commissioned officers, or
forty company officers to each regiment, making
twenty-four thousand company officers; Add to
this 600 Colonels, and as many Lieut. Colo
nels, Majors, Adjutants, Quartermasters, and Com
missaries, (as the law then stood) together with
all the Chaplains, Surgeons, Brigadier Generals,
Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals, with all the
Post Quartermasters, Commissaries, Command
ants, Adjutants, Marshals. &e., &c., and the con
script act made about 30,000 officers dependant
upon the President’s will for promotion. Thus in
violation of the. Constitution the President was.
substituted for. the States, and like the King of
England made the foundation of all honor.
To carry out this new policy of allowing the
President to appoint the officers, it became neces
sary to refuse longer to receive troops in organ
ized bodies with their officers, but each must be
conacribed and seat into service under such offi
cers as the President might appoint. This sepa
rated kindred and friends and neighbors, while in
uervice. It destroyed the individuality and pa
triotic order of our people, each of whom prior to
that time felt that as a freeman he was paid of the
Government, and that it was his war. But so
soon as this policy was adopted he felt that it was
the Government’s war, and that he was no longer
a freeman, but the slave of absolute power. This
was not the freedom he set out to fight for, and
thousands of men rather than submit to it and re
main in service, feeling that they wore the collar
ot power upon their necks, have left the army
without leave. Hence the President’s complaint,
the cause of which has been the necessary result
of his own policy. lie has mistaken the genius
and spirit ot our people, and the materia} of which
his armies are composed. The high toned spirit
ed Southern matt will ievolt when you attempt to
reduce him to an automaton of power.
Prior to the passage of this fatal act, men taxed
their ingenuity to devise plans to induce the Pres
ident to receive them into service. So soon, how
ever, as the act was passed, which denied’ them
the right in future to form their organizations, and
enter service as willing freemen, with their neigh
bors aud friends, and gave the President the j>o w-
«r to seize them and appoint their officers, the
whole feeling was changed, and men have resort
ed to every imaginable shift to keep gut ofthe ser
vice.
The excuse that conscription was necessary to
keep the twelve months men Iff service, or to nil
their places ennnot avail.
The President knew months before w hen the
term ofthese men would expire, and made no ef
fort to organize troops to take their places. A
hill was introduced into the Provisional Congress
by a distinguished Georgian, but a short time be
fore its expiration in February 1862, authorizing
the President to call forth the militia to any ex
tent necessary by requisition upon the States
and to call for them for three years at his discre
tion. This would have left the appointment of the
officers with the States where the Constitution
leaves it. The influence of the President was ac
tively used to defeat this bill, on the ground that
he did not need the law, as he had more troops i
tendered than he could accept and arm.
Early in April following he called for the con
script act on the ground of necessity, to till up the
'army, and the bill was passed giving him the pat
ronage and power, above mentioned. If conscrip
tion had been necessary to keep the twelve months
men in service till their places could he lilh-d, that
afforded no reason why the act should have em
braced the whole population of the Confedera
cy within military age. A special act applicable
only to the twelve mouths’s men lor a short
period, till troops could have been tarnished Gy
i;he States to take their places, would have met
that necessity. This, however, would not. have
given the President the appointment of the* offi
cers for all the troops to be organized. His neg
lect to call upon the States for troops to ii 11 tiie
places of the twelve months’ men was made the
occasion of vesting immense power and patron
age in him, aud fastening conscription with all
its evils upon the country.
The President has been as unfortunate in his
generalship, planning military campaigns, as he
has iu his policy of recruiting his armies. All re
member his first appearace on the field as Coin-
mander-in-Chief at the close of (he battle ot 1st
Manassas, when (if reports are reliable) he pre
vented our General from taking advantage
of the complete demoralization ot the Federal ar
my to march upon Washington City, when it must
have fallen into our hands with little resistance.
He visited the army in Middle Tennessee and di
vided it, sending part of 4 to Mississippi, too late
to accomplish any good result there, and left Gen
eral Bragg so weak that he was forced to evacu
ate Tennessee, which, together with Vicksburg,
fell info the hands of the enenry. He again ap
peared upon the field at Missionary Ridge and di
vided the army when a superior force was being
massed in his front General Longstreet’s corps was
sent into East Tennessee. General Grant waited
till he was out of reach, when he fell upon the rem
nant of Bragg’s army and drove it back into Geor
gia opening the way for the advance into this
State, and then sent troops and drove Longstreet
out of East Tennessee, and made himself master
of that invaluable stronghold of the Confederacy.
The President’s last appearance upon the field
was with General Hood’s army in this Shite, which
was followed by the movement of that army into
Tennessee. The country knows the result. Hood
by the troops themselves appointed by he
State, kept the men in the field, and we triumphed
gloriously in almost every engagement with the
enemy. Since that time, the officers appointed by
the President have neither maintained discipline
nor kept the men in the field. If the President s
statement is reliable, they have only one third of
them there. And I fear the discipline of that third
is loose, compared with that exhibit by the leder-
ai army iu its march through this State.
The President having failed in his military ad
ministration and brought the cuimliy to the verge
of ruin by his military policy, should be relieved of
that part of his duties, by an amendment of the
Constitution to provide for. the appointment of a
Comniander-in-Uhief of the armies of the Confed
eracy. by the President, by and with the. consent
of two thirds of the Senate, who shall be entirely
free from the control of the President and remova
ble only by the same power by which he was ap
pointed. This would place the best military talent
of tiie country in command of our armies, not in
name only but iu fact, and would save us in future
from the heavy calamities which have befallen us
by the capricious removal of a great commander,
at a most critical juncture of an ably conducted de
fensive campaign.
The late act of Congrers did not, and could not,
take from the President his constitutional power
as Commavdcr-in-chinf. It provides for the ap-
pointment of a 6V«rr«/-iu-Chief. Robert E. Lee
as General-iu-Chief is as subject to the orders of
the President as be-was before the act of Congress,
and his appointment under it, and the President
may at any moment frustrate his plans by orders
which he is obliged to obey. Congress cannot di
vest the President of this power over all the gener
als in Confederate service, including the General-
in-Chief. This power is conferred by the Consti
tution and can only he taken away by an amend
ment of that instrument.
These changes may he made without the evils of
revolution within revolution. The Constitution
provides for its own amendment. The remedy is
perfectly peaceful. It declares that: Upon the
demand of any three States legally assembled in
tlieir several convention, the Congress shall sum
mon a convention of all the States to take into
consideration such amendments to the Constitu
tion as the said States shall concur in^uggesting.
at iht- time when said demand is made.
It is perfectly legitimate and proper for -three
States to demand such convention, whenever, in
the opinion ot their people, the public good or the
common safety requires it. In my opinion, the
best interest of the country requires that such con
vention meet, with as little delay as possible, to
propose such amendments to the Constitution as
will reform abuses by settling disputed points, and
effect a speedy and thorough change of policy in
conducting the war aud filling up and sustaining
our armies. I sun not afraid to trustjthe people in
convention. I therefore recommend tiie call of a
convention of the people of this State, for the pur
pose of proposing such amendments to tr.e Con
stitution as will relieve the President of his re
sponsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the armies
and will provide for the appointment of a Comman-
*MIL laU D G K v ILLE:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1SG5. m
has been driven out of Tennessee with great cal-j der-in-Cliief in time of war, and to propose such
amity; and Georgia which was left completely i other amendments and do such other acts, as will
uncovered has been destroyed by Sherman at his ! correct the abuses and afford remedies for grievan-
leisure. j C es hereinbefore stated.
Instead of rapid concentration of our armies at; I also recommend that this General Assembly
vital points to strike the enemy stunning blows, appoint commissioners to each of the other States
our policy lias been to divide and scatter our fore-! ofthe Confederacy, requesting them to assemble in
es in the face of superior numbers, and received
blows which has well nigh cost our existence as a
Confederacy.
Our people have endured this misrule with re
markable forbearance and patriotism. But the time
Convention at an early day, to demand of Congress
the call of a Convention of all the States for the
purposes above specified.
The speedy adoption of this policy is in my judg
ment indispensable to the achievment of our inde
JUtcrkr.
Latest isTews.
time has come when we are oblige to deal with stern pendence and the lnaintainance of the great prin
realities, and to look facts lull in the face. We can | ciples of State sovereignty and constitutional lib-
no longer profit by hugging delusions to our bo-1 erty which underlie the foundations of our federa-
soms. Our Government is now a military despot- tive system of government—gave being to our
ism whenever the privilege of the writ of habeas present confederation of States—aud are ahso-
eorpus is suspended, an object to which the Presi- j lately necessary to the future prosperity and hap-
dent’s earnest efforts are constantly directed. The piness of our people. By the constm'*ion placed
tendency to anarchy is rapid and fearful. upon the Constitution as it now stands, by those
The Lincoln dynasty informs us distinctly that who administer tlio Confederate Government, these
reconstruction or subjugation are the only alter- great principles have been disregarded, and the
natives to he presented to us.
The present policy if persisted iu must termin
ate in reconstruction either with or without sub
jugation. I accuse uo supporter of the measures
of the administration of and such design. But en
tertaining the opinions which I do of its results, if
I favored reconstruction or subjugation,to both of
which 1 am utterly opposed, I would give an earn
est support to the President’s policy, as tiie surest
mode ot diminishing our armies, exhausting our
resources, breaking the spirits of our people, and
sovereignty of tin? States, and the rights of the
people lost sight of in the struggle for indepen
dence.
The achievement of our independence seems to
he the great end and only good aimed at by those
who wield the power at Richmond. We have been
told from the halls of Congress that courts must be
closed, and State lines obliterated, if necessary, to ac
complish this object. Indeed some persons in au
thority seem to have torgotton that we arc fighting
for anything but independence. If so the whole
living them in despair to seek refuge from -o. strnggleis in vain, for we had that in the- old gov-
worse tyranny, by placing themselves under the
protection of a Government, which they loathe and
detest, because it has wronged and tyrannized
over them, destroyed their property aud slaugh
tered their sons.
These are sad truths which it is exceedingly un
pleasant to announce. But true statesmanship re
quires that the ruler do the best that can he done
for hi? people under all circumstances by which
they are at the time surrounded. And the states
man who sees nothing hut ruin in the pursuit of a
line of policy, and does not warn his countrymen
against it, is unworthy the high trust confided to
his care.
eminent which was our government, consecrated
by the blood of our ancestors and transmitted from
sire to son. We were independent of all ether
powers. But the people of the Northern States
got control of that government, and so adminis
tered it as to imperil not only our independence hut
our rights. We then separated from them and are
lighting for our rights and liberties: and as a
means of maintaining and securing those rights
and liberties we declared our independence. In
dependence with these is worth all the sacrifices
which we have made or can make. Our rights
and liberties are not. secondary to our indepen-
fnft =e , but our independence is only necessary to
But you may ask, do I despair of the justice d^'^fotect our rights and our liberties. Russia is in-
our cause or of our ability to succeed. I answer
emphatically, no. Bad as cur policy has been and
much as we have wasted of men and moans, wo
still have enough of both, if properly used, to con
tinue the struggle till we achieve our indepen
dence and ro-estahlish in these States constitution
al liberty which has been for the time so complete
ly crushed.
To enable U3 to do this the conscription act
must be repealed. the policy abandoned, and
we must return to the constitutional mode of rais
ing troops by the States. The States cannot do
this successfully while- conscription is practiced,
dependent of all the world, so is Turkey, while the
government of each is a despotism ; and the peo
ple have only tlm rights aud liberties which the
Sovereign chooses to permit them to exercise. If
this is the sort of independence for which we are
fighting, our great sacrifices have been made to
hut. little purpose. The recognition by foreign
powers of the independence of our rulers and of
their right to govern us, without the recognition
of our rights and liberties by our rulers, is not
worth the blood of the humblest citizen. We must
gain more than this in the struggle or we have
made a most unfortunate exchange. The further
and they thwarted in their efforts by conflict and pursuit of our present policy not only endangers
collision with Confederate officers. In a word, the
two systems cannot work together.
Our armies, composed of the militia or arms
hearing people of the States, must he re-organized
under officers appointed by the respective States,
as the Constitution directs. This would enable
the States in the re-organization to put into the
ranks all supernumerary oijjccrs, including the
large number of Confederate enrolling officers,
who without commands, are now supported and
paid by the government, and to displace such now
our rights and our liberties, hut our independence
also, by destroying the institutions and breaking
the spirits of our people. Let us beware how we
trifle with the rights, the liberties, and the happi
ness of millions.
I am aware that the freedom and plainness,
which a sense of duty to my country has compell
ed me to exercise, in discussing the measures of
the administration, and the policy of the govern
ment, may subject my motive to misconstruction.
1 feel the proud consciousness, however that I
in command of troops as are tyrannical and inefii- have been actuated only by a desire to promote
cient, and fill tlieir places with those who have the cause so dear to every patriot’s heart, and
shown themselves competent, and who have the thereby secure the independence of the Confeder*-
eontidence of the troops to be commanded by them. , acy, with the civil and religions liberties and con-
The States, iu the re-organization of these troops, stitutional rights of the people, without which iu-
could also put into service the large number oi\ dependence is an emptf name, and the glory and
able-bodied young men within their limits, who, j grandeur of nur republican system is departed for-
now at home, hold appointments under the Con-j ever. No one can he more vitally interested than
federacy which serve the purposes of protection, j myself in the success of our cause. I have staked
without reciprocal benefit to-the common cause.— life, liberty and property, and the liberties of iny
In the same manner great numbers of absentees,
deficient in neither patriotism nor gallantry, who
have been driven out of the armies by the petty
tyrauny of subaltern officers appointed at Rich
mond to command them, could he brought hack by*
the States under officers of their own choice, who
V ould make excellent troops. Remove the shack
les of bondage from the limbs of our troops, and
let them teel that they are again freemen, lighting
in freedom’s cause, and that the Government
stands by and maintains the great principles of
constitutional liberty, and State sovereignty*, for
which they took up arms, and they* will re-enter
the field with renewed hopes, determined to con
quer an honorable pence or fill a soldier’s grave.
‘Wt must return to-tire observance of good faith
with our troops—pay them when tlieir wages are
due, and discharge them when their terms expire.
Wc must pass no more acts of repudiation
of our government issues of currency. We
must receive iu payment of Confederate tax
es, all notes, bonds or certificates which persons
are compelled by the Government to take in pay
ment for property taken from them, by its impress
ment officers.
We must abandon the policy of supporting the
armies by impressments or forcible seizures of
property, and must adopt the policy of purchasing
what we need, except in extreme cases which just
ify impressment, and then we must pay as the
constitution requires—yast compensation for the
property taken. This equalizes the burdens by-
dividing the whole among the entire number of
tax-payers, in proportion to the amount of proper
ty owned by each.
Representation without coustituency must no
longer be allowed ; nor must laws he dictated to
us by the votes of representatives without accoun
tability to those who share iu the burdens imposed
by the legislation enacted by them.
Secret sessions of Congress, except in cases
where legislation effecting the movements of our
armies is pending, mnst be abandoned, and the
people must know, as they have a right to know,
how their representatives act and vote upon all
measures aflectfn* their vital interests, their rights
and their honor.
Discipline must be restored and enforced in our
armies. One of the reasons given by it advocates
for the enactment of the conscript law was, that
better discipline would be maintained by giviim
the appointment of the officers to the President!
Results have shown the reverse to he true. Prior
to the adoption yf that plan, the officers selected ,
posterity, upon the result. The enemy have burn
ed my dwelling and other houses, destroyed my
property, and shod in rich prolusion the blood of
nearest relatives. My destiny is linked with my
country. If we succeed, I am a freeman ; but if,
by the obstinacy, weakness, or misguided judg
ment of our rulers, we faib the same common ruin
awaits me which awaits my countrymen. It is no
time to conceal ideas in courtly phrase. The night
is dark, the tempest howls, the ship is lashed with
turbulent waves, the hrImsman is steering to the
whirlpool, our remonstrances are unheaded, and
we mnst restrain him, or the craw must sink to
gether, submerged in irretrievable min.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
Losses of South Carolina—The following is a
recapitulation of the whole loss of South Carolina,
killed in battle, disease or accident, since the war
began. It is from the report just made by Major
J M DeSassuA :
Brigadier Generals 4
Colonels ...... 20
Lieutenant Colonels 15
Majors 10
Captains 120
Lieutenants 343 *
Staff officers 34
Non-commissioned officers and privates 7,074
Total 7,625
A project is on foot in Mexico, for a railroad
from Mattamoras to the city of Monterey. The
distance is eighty miles and the estimate coat of
the road with the necessary machinery,, ect.,
£3,100,000. The Monterey Era says that the jm-
peror is protecting and inducing a spirit of enter
prise to all projects of internal improvement.
ISP The Macon Journal <fc Messenger will be
issued daily on and after the first of March, by
Messrs. Rose and Burr, .Success to it.
Cavaliere Righetti, the fortunate owner oftlie
gigantic statue of Hercules, lately discovered at
Rome, has begged the Pope’s acceptance of it, and
liis holiness has been graciously pleased to accept
it. The magnificence of the gift maybe imagined,
when it is known that only a few days before a Ro
man nobleman offered two hundred ibousandscudi
(over forty thousand pounds) for the splendid
work of art, and M. Sclients made even a higher
hid for it, on behalf of the Freueh povcrnment.
THE MESSAGE.
We lay before our readers ns wc promised, the
message of Gov. Brown. We had thought of dis
secting It, and pointing out the hold assertions,
the supposed results, and the general want of poli
cy ^nd foresight charged by Gov. Brown upon
the President and Congress. We do not pretend
to deiy, that some laws that have been passed did
not work out the desired results supposed,and laws
that were good in themselves, have been abused
by Hose appointed to carry out tlieir provisions,
eitlrei through ignorance or cupidity. To lay the
blame upon Mr. Davis or Congress for the action
of thoisands of government agents, is preposter
ous, and shows a want of common sense and a
knowledge of mankind. A faithless agent is of
ten removed, but to suppose for a moment, that
the Uhicf Executive is to know the individual ac
tions of the thousand and one appointments un
der him, is to suppose, that he is omniscent.
As ive said above, we had thought of giving the'
message a thorough dissection, hut from the gen
eral opinion we hear upon the streets, and see in
the papers, ive are’satisiied that-the good common
sense and. pure patriotism of the people condemn
unqualifiedly the toue, temper, spirit and asser
tions of the Governor. We are willing to give it
to the people without prejudging it on our part or
attempting to expose many of the weak points
made by the Governor. To declare our govern
ment a tyranny, and to say that the people would
be driven to reconstruction or submission, is draw
ing too much upon the fancy. Read the message
and analyse it for yourselves, and if you do not
come to the conclusion that it is an ill timed docu
ment, bearing upon its face the marks of a sour,
discontented, fault-finding and hypercritical spirit,
we are deceived in your judgment. We give hut
one extract copied from the Columbus Times, which
is characteristic of the whole document, ns far as
it relates to our national affairs. The Times says :
But the message does not stop herft—wc wish it
did. It makes a fearful leap further. The decla
ration ia phiinly made that the President is aspir
ing to absolnte power, and the soldier is told, in
•vnbstaHoe, thaX-Vreis fighting but to make himself
a slave. That we may not do injustice to the text,
we quote :
“To carry out this new* policy of allowing the-
President to appoint the officers, it became neces-
sary to refuse longer to receive troops in organiz
ed bodies with their officers, hut each must be con-
scribed aud sent into service under such officers as
the President might appoint. This separated kin
dred and friends and neighbors while iu service.
It destroyed the individuality and patriotic ardor
of our people, each of whom prior to that time, fel-
that as a freeman he was part of the Goverumentt
and that it was his war. But so soon as this poli
cy was adopted, lie felt that he was no longer a
freeman, but the slave of- absolnte power. This
was not the freedom he set out to fight for, and
thousands of men, rather than submit to it and re
main in service, feeling that they wore the collar
of power about their necks, have left the army
without leave. Hence the President’s complaint,
the cause of which has been the necessary result
of his own policy. He has mistaken the genius
and spirit of our people, and the material of which
his armies are composed. The high-toned, spirit
ed Southern man will revolt when you attempt to
reduce him to au automaton of power.”
If this does not justify desertion, it is certainly
the most adroit apology for it we ever saw on pa
per. We know that the Governer did not so in
tend it. We know that he could not have fully
weighed the effect of his words, or comprehend
their occult logic.
We fully agree with our cotemporary ; the Gov
ernor did not weigh his words or study their mean
ing or the construction that could and w'Guld be
put upon them.
The recommendation for a convention is unne
cessary ; what in the world the Governor wants to
change the Confederate (Constitution for, we can*
not see, unless it be his dislike to Mr. Divis. The
idea is utopian. We would say in all candor to
the Governor, if things do not go on to suit him,
and he feels that he is a watchman, to resign his
position and let some one else try tlieir hand.—
Gen. Wright ift our opinion could get along with
the Confederate administration very well until
next October, and the people, would he encourag
ed to back into the ranks instead of dodging be-
Itind this Governor's ixpologjr for tlieir desertion
We would be pleased to see a change in the Exec
utive of Georgia, for we would anticipate a change
for the better so far as our Confederate relations
are cuiicemed. What a spectacle would he pre
sented to the minds of the people, and especially to
Yaakeedom, if the Governors of Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Florida. Alabama. Mis
sissippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Tennes
see were to harangue them with such a message ?
Mr. Davis aud Congress would be paralysed, and
our Confederacy would go down in dishonor and
disgrace. Who can for a moment doubt it ?
FIRE.
The residence of Capt. Lewis Kenan was des
troyed by fire ou Wednesday night last. Noth
ing ia the house was saved. Capt. K. was absent
atAltcon and Mrs. K. was on a visit to her moth
er-in-jaw. The lire when discovered, about 11
o’clock, had made such headway that it was
impossible to enter the house. We sympa
thise with Capt. K. in his loss, as it will be next
to impossible to replace his losses, or even to re
build at present.
We gather as the latest' news, that Charleston
has been evacuated by our forces, and is now in
tho hands of the enemy. All the public property
waa destroyed. We were compelled to destroy a
large amount of stores at Columbia.
The enemy in his march through South Caroli
na, is barning all the fine residences aud destroy
ing ail the provisions that he cannot consume.
Sherman is striking for Charlotte, N. C., de
stroying the railroad as he goes ; he lias about
50,000 troops.
Gen. D. H. Hill has been relieved of his com
mand at Augusta; Gen. B. D. Fry succeeds him.
The Legislature is expected to adjourn by the
last of this week.
If it has passed upon any measures, showing
that its assemblage was necessary, we have not
been able as yet to discover them.
Wonld it not be well for it to appoint a joint
committeo to examine into tho condition of the
gtat« finances, am} report to. tho w^xt.Legislature
the various appropriations made since the com
mencement of the war, the manner in each in
stances which the money has been used, and
what tellable resource the State has for reimburse
ment 1 W th<»t portion of the expense of the war
that properly devolves upon fag Confederate Gov
ernment?
We gather from the last Augusta papers the
following items: _
The railroad between Branchville and Charles
ton is unmolested, and repairs are making be
tween Augusta and Brapchville.*
The Wilmington railroad beyond the Wateree
river is undisturbed.
. Orangeburg is reported partially destroyed.
The trestling and bridges on all the South Car
olina roads, north aud northwest of Branchville,
are destroyed.
We have no official communication with Charles
ton as yet. A reliable citizen of Augusta reports
that Mayor Macbeth, of Charleston, says that the
French Consul assured him that lie bad advices
that Napoleon will assert the independence of the
Confederate States on the 4th of March next, aud,
if necessary, support the declaration with armed
intervention.
French vessels are rendezvousing at conveni
ent points along the coast aud iu the Gulf of Mexi
co.
Gen. Wade Hampton burned his own residence
in Columbia, to prevent the Yankees from sacking
it.
It is rumored that a body of Federal cavalry
have cut the Greenville and Columbia Railroad at
Alston—about twenty-live miles above the latter
place. It is not kuown how niucii damage was
doue.
From later and perfectly reliable sources, we
learn that Sherman has crossed Broad and Saluda
rivers, and was moving on Alston, where there is
! a bridge eight hundred and fifty feet long, with a
" view to destroy it. They are on the direct road to
Charlotte, N. C., and the next point, which they
will probably reach will he Wiunsboro’.
W e also learn that Columbia has not been taken,
the Federals having left that city to the right.
It seems to he Sherman's policy to destroy rail
roads, avoid a light, and march boldly onward to
Virginia or North Carolina.
Augusta, Feb. 22-^-A large number of persons,
on tlieir way to the Army of Virginia, left here
this morning, expecting to pass far to the right of
Sherman’s path, and get ahead ol him before he
reaches the Danville road.
It is evident that the Yankees intend to make
the movement rapidly, destroying all our com
munications with tin; Capital. They do not stop
t.o make battle, hut flank around all fortified plac
es, destroying as we evacuate. Sherman left Sa
vannah aud i’oeotaligo with seventy-two thousand
men of all arms: His force now amounts to more
than 55,UUU effective men, whom he keeps com
pactly together and manages with the strictest dis
cipline.
It is currently reported that Lee has moved out
of his works at Petersburg, to make a rapid swoop
upon Sherman. •
The last heard from the enemy, - was that they
were at Newberry Court House, on the Greenville
Railroad, ou tlieir way to Abbeville.
A Large Portion of Columbia Burned—Cheatham
Fighting the Enemy.
Augusta, Feb. 23—On Sunday the ID, the ene
my confronted a portion of Cheatham’s corps two
miles from Newberry Court-house—their force be
ing only a strong feint, to cover operations on
Columbia.
They retired rapidly on Sunday night, and burn
ed the bridge at Alston, and on Saturday destroy
ed the railroad, pushing on to join the main body
toward Charlotte.
On Saturday morning another body of the en
emy entered Columbia, burned both sides of Main
street, the whole length, and other buildings, the
same day moving rapidly north. Nothing definite
since Cheatham was trying to flank Sherman and
join our forces in front of tin* enemy, when be was
driven far to the left, and the movement complete
ly frustrated. Our force is scattered, though op-
ertf iug on the enemy’s wings. Cheatham was at
Columbia this morning.
8100 HfiWAZlDi
S TOLEN, trom the Livery Stable at this place,
on the night of the 21st inst., a small GRAY
MARE, with a knot on the left side of her neck.
Milledgeville, Feb. 28,1865 9 ^2t^"
G eorgia, Hancock county.
Whereas Martha Veal has filed her petition
in the Court of Ordinary for said county, praying
for letters of administration on the estate of Irwin
F. Veal, late of said county, deceased—
This is therefore to admonish those interested
to be and appear at my office within the time pre
scribed by law, to show cause, if any exist, why
said letters should not be granted.
THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary,
February 28, 1865 9 5t
S TATE OF GEORGIA, Lowndes County.
Whereas Archibald Averett, administrator de
Uonis non of John M. Dees,, late of Baid county,
deceased, having filed his petition in this Court
for letters ot dismission from said estate—
This is therefore to admonish all concerned to
he and appear at my office within tl)£ time pre
scribed by law to show cause, if-any exist, why
said letters should not be granted.
Given under my hand, this 9th day of February,
1965. WILLIAM SMITH, Ordinary.
February 28, 1865 9 mfim
TATE OF GEORGIA, Lowndes County.
Nancy E. Beaty applies for letters of guar
dianship of the person ami property of the minor
heir of William J. Beaty, late of said county, de
ceased—
This is therefore to cite and admonish all per
sons interested to file their objections on or before
the first Monday in April next, otherwise letters
will he granted the applicant.
Given under my hand, this 9th day of Februa
ry, 1865. WILLIAM SMITH, Ordinary.
February 28, 1365 9 5t
C GEORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY.
V Whereas Sarah J. liar ton has tiled her peti
tion in the Court of Ordinary for said county,
praying for letters of administration on the es
tate of Alfred P. Harton, late of said county, de
ceased—
This is therefore to cite and admonish all and
singular, the kindred and creditors of said de
ceased, to file tlieir objections, if any they have,
in my office within the time prescribed by law,
otherwise said letters will be granted to the appli
cant. THOS. I. LITTLE, Ordinary.
February 28, 1865 9 5t t
The Columbus Times of the 24th inst. says: For
the comfort and encouragement of those who think
that Sherman will march rough-shod over North
Caroliuaand Virginia, we will state that two weeks
ago to-day a consultation between Generals liar-
dee, Beauregard, Johnston and li. E. Lee, was
held at Columbia, S. C. What was done ive don’t
know, but we suppose that some agreement was
entered into aud some plan of action determined
on which is perhaps now in course of development.
We get the fact above stated from a source entire
ly trustworthy.
Georgians Aroused.—We are crowded with
communications from all quarters, and from the
most intelligent gentlemen in the State, denuncia
tory and condemnatory of the pernicious and rev
olutionary character of Governor Brown’s Message.
Its unpopularity is great and widespread
[Confederate .S' Tele±
i lli
The question of calling a State Convention, as
recommended by the Governor, has been voted
down by the Legislature. In the Senate by about
eight and in tin* House by twelve votes.
The Telegraph and Confederate says:
We trust the entire attention of the people will
now he directed to foiling the enemy in his attempts
at subjugation and conquest.
In this city, on the 24th inst., Mr. Daniel B.
Stetson, au old and highly esteemed merchant
and also a leading and influential member of the
Baptist church.
At his residence in Hancock county, Ga., on the
29th of January, 1865, William W. Devkkux,
aged 37 years At the call of his country, lie
ww.it into the service of the State at. Savannah,
thence to Atlanta, while laboring under disease
of the heart, which service he might have avoided
hut would not apply for a discharge, because so
many wore seeking, to avoid the service, liis
health continued to decline, until inflammation ot
the bowels terminated the life of a good and faith
ful soldier, a kind and affectionate husband, pa
rent and friend. He lias left a wife, four children,
a mother and many friends and relatives to mourn
their loss. He said to his wife lie did not cease to
pray from the time lie entered the service to that
time. The Savior said, “those who come unto me
I will in no wise cast out.” A Friend.
rjpHERE WILL BE AN ELECTION held at.
JL the usual place of holding elections in Bald
win county, on Saturday, the first day of April,
1865, for a Justice of the Inferior Court, to fill a
vacancy occasioned by the refusal of the Hon. Pe
ter Fair to qualify.
By order of the honorable Inferior Court.
B. P. STUBBS. Clerk.
February 28, .1865
9 3t
MANY CITIZENS of Baldwin county,
desirous of having tiie vacancy in the
Court occasioned by the resignation of
Col. Peter Fair, filled by a suitable person, pre
sent to. the voters of the county the name of
S-A-JVL’Xj E- ■W'jESII'XLftJKIIEIR.j
as a candidate for Justice of the Inferior Court, to
fill said vacancy.
February 28, 1865 9 tf .
M ESSRS. EDITORS—Having learned that
Col. Peter Fair has resigned his seat as a
Justice of the Interior Court of Baldwin county,
we respectfully announce the name of R. A. Mo-
COMB as a suitable person to fiil said vacancy.
MANY VOTERS
February 28,1865 9 If
MEDICAL NOTICE.
T IIE CASH system being the prevalent one,
the undersigned, Physicians of Milledge-
ville, are compelled to adopt the same. They will,
therefore, from this date expect their Je.es upon the
termination of each case. „ . „
GEO. D. CASE,
SAM’L G. WHITE,
W. H. HALL,
J. II. HOLMES.
February 28, 1865 9 41;
t v EORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY:
I" Whereas James, W. Simmons and Ann E.
Devreux have filed their petition in the Court of
Ordinary of. said county for letters ot adm* 11 * 9 '
tration on the estate* of William W. Devreux,
late of said county, deceased—
This is to admonish all and singular the kind
red and creditors of said deceased to be and ap
pear at my office within the time prescribed by
law to show cause, if auy they can, why said let
ters should not he granted.
THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary
February 28,1865 9 5t
A LL PERSONS having demands against the
estate of John W. H. Mitchell, late of Han
cock county, deceased, are hereby requested to
present them, properly proven, to Thomas I. Lit
tle, Esq., and those indebted to said estate are re
quired to make immediate payment to said Little.
ELIZABETH MITCHELL, Adm’x.
February 28, 1865 9 6t
A LL PERSONS having demands against the
estate of George B.Amoss, late of Hancock
county, deceased, are hereby requested to present
them, properly proven, and those indebted to said
estate will please make immediate payment to
JAMES BASS, Adm’r.
February 28, 1865 • 6t
TRAYED OR STOLEN from the subscriber
S
about the 9th instant, a large black horse
MULE, seven or eight years old, right eye out.
1 will pay $100 reward for the mule, or $500 for
the mule aud thief, with evidence to convict.
A. J. BANKS.
Milledgeville, Feb. 21, 1865 8 tf
For Sale,
A SMALL FARM, containing about 106' acres
J\ of land, principal part in cultivation, with
sufficient fire wood. It adjojns the land of Mrs.
Eliza Carter, and was lately owned by Maj. Win.
T. W. Napier. It is about a mile from Seottsboro’,
on the road to Milledgeville.
For further particulars, call ou Col. L. H. Bris
coe. Milledgeville.
February 21, 18C5 8 2t*
WANTED,
A N OVERSEEli for a few hands. He must he
altogether sober, industrious and not liable to
military duty.
Apply at the Recorder Office.
Mililedgeville, February 14, 1905 7 tf
On the 22d inst., at the residence of Col. Wm.
McKinley, by the Rev. Win. ITinn, Capt. John
D. Pope, of Walker county, Ga., to Miss Gkacik
Sims of this place.
jVTOTICE.—As every article is rising with rx-
-L i pidity, ive shall rise in the price of tanning
and dressing leather. From and after the first
day of March next, we will charge for tanning and
dressing sole leather, five dollars ner pound; for
upper leather, six dollars: skins, not charged by
the pound, but in due proportion; or, ive will
charge one-half for the other, at the option of the
patron. M. J. CALLAWAY,
JAMES THOMAS.
Hancock county, Feb. 21, 1865 8 4t
C CONFEDERATE TAX.—I ain instructed to
d collect all tax now due forthwith. All per
sons ivho have not paid, will call and settle imme
diately.
The tax on salaries and income of the last year,
are now due; all persons are requested to call
soon and make their returns,
ry Office at Mrs. Carr’s.
J. C. WHITAKER, Collector:
R. MICKLE JOHN, Assessor.
Milledgeville, Eeh. 21, 1865 8 tf
rriWO MONTHS after date application will he
-L made to the Court of Ordinary of Hancock
county for leave to sell a negro man slave, named
John, 18 or 20 years old, belonging to Ephraim
Barnes. ASA BARNES, Guardian.
Sparta, Feb. 21, I3G5 8 9t
G eorgia, Laurens county.
Whereas Thomas J. Holloman, guardian of
Sarah E. Stokes, applies to this Court of Ordinary
for letteVs of dismission—
These are therefore to cite all and singular the
kindred and creditors of said ward to file their ob
jections, if any. they have, in my office withiu the
time prescribed by law, why letters should not he
granted to sakl applicant.
WASHINGTON BAKER. Ord’y.
February 21, 1865 8 5t
G « EORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY.
r Whereas John F. Adams and Mary E. Sas-
nett have filed their petition in the Court of Or
dinary of said county, praying for letters of ad
ministration on that part of the estate of William
P. Sasnett, late of said county, deceased, not em
braced iu liis will—
This is therefore to cite and admonish all and
singular, the kindred and creditors of said de
ceased to file their objections, if any they have,
iu my office within the time prescribed by law,
to show cause why said letters should not be grant
ed- ' THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary.
February 21, 1865 8 5t
TO EXCHANGE^ *
lbs. SALT for PROVISIONS.
JjWVV COMPTON & CALLAWAY.
Milledgeville, Feb. 14, 1865 7 tf
6,000
S OLE, RUSSET and KIP LEATHER, also
LIGHT SKINS for sale at the Georgia Pen
itentiary. Apply to
February 14, 1865
T. T. WINDSOR, B. K.
7 Ct
A REWARD OF ONE HUNDRED DOL-
lars will be paid for the return of a new pair
of FAIRBANKS’ SCALES, with a 1,2 aud 300
pound weight, taken from the Penitentiary during
the late invasion, by a negro man npoq a cart or
one horse wagon, who was seen going out of town
towards the Macon or Eatonton road. The above
reward will be paid for its delivery to
T. T. WINDSOR, B. K.
February 14, 1865 7 Gt *
A LL PERSONS having demands against the
estate of Patrick Kane, late of Baldwin
county, deceased, are hereby notified to present
their claims, legally authenticated, and those
knotting themselves indebted to said deceased,
are requested to make payment.
B. P." STUBBS, Esclieator
and ex-officio administrator.
February 14, 1865 (jh) 7 6t
O TRAYED OR STOLEN on Sunday the 5th
instant, a small BAY HORSE, with short
ears and long hair, mane trimmed off, also a white
spot in the forehead. Said horse is the property
of Wm. Supple. Any person returning the horss
to the subscriber will he amply rewarded. -
WM. SUPPLE.
Milledgeville, Feb. 14,1865 7 tf
G REEN AND DRY HIDES purchase.
Georgia Penitentiary, for which the ]
market price will be paid.
February 7, 1865 (
Blanks for Sale at this Office.