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jairtTAUT Nui loasonc dollar per Hr e or ni. Insertion
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AFRICA* SL , Y r-li V
This war, with nil i'-t uUv uiaiit honors, is
tliH lugiUMte result ol nl agitation. Tt ere
were, it id true, other causm of (iissatlstaciou
*nil other elements of discord that served to
disquiet, the p.rejlic mind ; but any or alt of
these was wiioily iuadeq ute to sever the burnt
of brotherhood wnica tor more ttuu seventy
years had united the Nurtti- and South. To
rid ourselves forever of tms vexatious coniro
versy, was our’prime iudueem at to secession i
ado to preserve and perpetuate our present mi
ciai system was tiio paramount object ot that
Buffering and sacrifice which has mariicd uv ry
page of this eveuilul struggle.
hour weary years have elapsed—eur elites
have been pillaged and ; >llllll to tushes- our
gallant country men oy thousands have fa.Tr.u
by the sword or L-uilet, or polished by din* use
in the hospital—our women are widowed and
childless , and now identical men wfi*
clauiorcd loudest fui re cession, gLively propose
to abanduu the vai> rbj ci ot which the revo
lution was inaugurated, and nas been liblwito
stoutly maintained by the sot iery of the tie
public. Bome ot this class have newly discov
ered that we must uiodiiy, if not abrogate, out
system pi labor, so as to render it conformable
to the civilization ot tiiu age. Wo are not
averse to the largest liheriy of discussion con
sisteut with public order, but we do insist that
dissemination ol such 1 entiincuts as ihesuat the
present time, is seditious m its character, and
it unrebuked, immense 11 jury to tiio
Cause we have espoused.
Jt will not t>c anik'Sethci'elore, to 10-tXAU.inc,
the grounds eu which v«u have,heretofore cie
feuded the iusUtutioa ol slavery against Nona
eru fanatics, and their foreign syunpulJais is.
African slavery it cxiufe may ve
suOOcssluUy vindicated en philosophical, ccou
ouiical and soripLuial grounds. Leaving »bi ot
view, for the present, those ueiicute ana { or
plexing piobicme whiUn ethmffogj has st'-.u fed
during (»•** r*v-°' a l ceniuiy, \ve cdtifent our-
Bc>lf with the simple ullimialioa, that tho tui .0
my of the negro races shows tnem to he pfiy
sisally, mentally, and morally interior to Hie
white races, and exactly tilted to that iclqi.L*
of servitude which obtains in the Contedei ate
States This is anincontroveitiblo proitosition,
whether wo hold with Bull'on and the earlier
naturalitds to the unity of the races, or agree
with Agassiz olid Gliddou, that there, is an
original diversity ol species. YVe need Lot,
with the disciples of Gall and Bpurzheim, ex
amine curiously the cranial conformation ot
the negro to ascertain that ho is di lick-ire in the
highest utti ibuk-s of humanity, nor need we,
with the followers iff Cuvier, inspect ore fully
the bones of the pelvis, and 01 the lower and
upper extremities, to satisfy ourselves that iu
anatomical structure he bears a marked res- m
blai.ee to Lord MouboddO’s primeval m.m.
The curse which Noah, the second tounder ot
the world, pronounced 011 the posterity oi
Ilain, has citing to tiffin amidst the mutations
of four thousand years ; aud to day it Is legibly
imprinted on tho physical and mental structure
of tho Southern slave. Authentic history nas
likewise recorded its liteint iulitiiment in the
destiny of the llaumlio tribes. No descendant
of Ham has ever attained to universal empire,
or, except lor brief has exercised do
minion over the offspring ol bhem and Japheth.
The genius of Carthage, which Hannibal sor
rowfully acknowledged in the decisive baffle
of Metaurus, was tbe simple embodiment of the
great ethnological truth which we are endeav
oring to support. We would not exclude tho
African from the pale of humufi brotherhood,
.tuuch lets would we deprive him of tho chari
ties of the gospel ; but science, no less than
Revelation, compels us to place hint iu au in
ferior atnl dependant position.
Having disposed ot the physiological ques
tiou, wo next consider the economical relations
aud bearings of slavery. *
We are no propagandist of slavery. Vi hethi r
it shall exist here or elsewhere, is a question
to be determined by climatic ra hot
than legislative enactments. The same argu j
mentk which would exclude it from New Eu j
gland as unsuited to the soil and climate, i
would establish it in the cotton region of I
Georgia and Alabama, and the sugar districts
of Florida and Louisiana. There is a wise jyrd
omnipresent law of adaptation m the economy
ot nature. The polar boat L not <- T 'ev tu'.i-d
to the ftoaen wastes and tl at-ing k«.b».ig. of ti.» j
Arctic ibne, than is the negio to ure raaiudii. j
■wamps of the seacoast of Carolina and Geu:
gia. Here he finds a local habitation nicely
accommodated to his physical peculiarities ;
and here he finds, too, usetul employment in
the production of those great staples—-rioe,
ootton and sugar —which have reCome tire very
life-blood of commerce. It Is, besides, bistort,
•ally certain that his capabilities of usefulness
aannot be made available on the voluntary
plan. As FalstatT was a coward by instinct, so
the negro is by constitution and habit a lai*,
thriftless mortal, needing the compulsion of
law, at least, to make him a productive con
sumer.
The almost unbroken desolation whieir reigns
throughout the British and French IN est In-
is a stubborn fact which all the rant ot
Hall cannot gainsay or invalidate. The
philanthropy of Clarkson and Wil
barferce. «’ crazy Jacobinism of 1792,
bare oon verted once flourishing islands of
Jamaica and St. ©omingo into the abodes of
a demoralized negro population, who If left to
will soon relapse into their prinri
and froth having been at leas
I m.miuai Christians.wi>l • :»me once more bill
• *i«h worshipers of Obii, the Ixvi'-Go! of At i
! ca. It is moreover a pregnant fact, that white
| these colonies of France and Great Britain
| have not only languished but great ly r>-trp
j graded undi-r the emancipation policy, hat
i Cuba, a slaveholding colony, with fewer natu
ral advantages, has enjoyed unexAmph*d pros
perity, and is the acknowledged *• Gum pi the
| Antilles”- the brightest jewel in the crown of
) his moat Catholic Majesty.
Iu the light ot’ these exairyites, we may he
■ qualified to judge of the effects of immediate
and universal emancipation at the South : end
we artrprepared, too, to appreciate the sag»-
! city of those politicians who, for the sake ol h
foreign protectorate, would invoke (tie calam
ity of abolitionism upon a CuulidinjC and bo
| Bu we assume higher ground in Cut yiudi
i cation ot slavery as it exists in the Bt »urh. We
! hold that the system is itself scriptural in ti e
just acceptation of the term. We ne cd hardly
remind the reader that the Divine LrewgivW of
Israel incorporated slavety into the framework
of their social polity, Nor were tjueir slaves
hired servants only, hut bondmen and bond
women in the stiictest sense of the word. De
salts he ordained a fugitive slave io w, nod nut
offly authorized hut encouraged due traffic in
slaves. Asa matter ot fact, Jerusalem the
Holy City’was no less a slave mart than Mo
bile and New Orleans, there were thfi stat
utes which God hinn.olt gave to isiaeJ, ana
they amply justify similar legislation 011 our
part.
The New Testament is not less explicit. The
apostle i’aul preached iu the chief cities of the
Homan Empire, and was of couise in datiy
contact with slavery iu its most odious form.
Vet set as he was lor the del emeu of tiie gos
pel, he raised no outcry against tho system.
Me did not labor to abolish but to reguiate ;
and in our estimation he sanctioned it by pie
seribing rules for the government of ihe reha
tiou.
Unless, theu, we can discover some loftier
standard of moral truth thau is contained in
the oracles of God, we may consider the morad
question as already adjudicated iu favor oS
the institution. And thus we peiceive that
natural seduce, political economy aud the
Bible all bear witness to the truth of our ongi
uil propcsitiou. Lot us say, however, once tor
atl, that we do not mean io vindicate the'abu
ses of the system. God has a quarrel with us
on that account, and until ihe marriage rela
tion is respected, until they are provided ware,
proper food and raiment, un.il their religious
enlightenment is a. tended to, w ? can noiiiiei
be gniltless iu the sight of God or man.
With these qualhicatious, we do not hesitate ;
Cos sterm taat we ought to resist every scheme
01 policy, wherever it may oiiginate, that looks
to die shuuva suoveision ot tu»o re.tufcu.. in
lei woven as it is, with our political system
aud our social habitudes, its overthrow would
be nothing but a dissolution of the body-polit’
ie. independence even, we maintain, if ’miebus
edat this price would be an unspeaxabie calam
ity. But we deny that there is any. connexion of
tuviso aiul effect us between emancipation more
or lutsß general and independence. Biaverv is
to- dny the keystone of our political arch - tire
very basis of our agricultural wealth without
which our armies wouid disband in a single
month. The negrtMs serving us much more
effeotualiy iu the farm than he ever could on
the battle-field. Ami he is far more formida
ble t y the common enemy when arrayed with
the hoe and axe, thau when handling the'
musket in the trenches. It, however, he was
a hundred fold less productive iu his present
position, it would be iusecute to enroll him in.
*bur armies,- It will require years of patient
drilling to bring him to a point of loleiuble
efficiency as a soldier and even then his trench
ery might ruin us in the very crisis of a bat
tle or campaign.
In a word, the negro is likely to be worth
less as a soldier and dangt-rous as an armed
ally.
In his present relation 110 Is subsisting our
armies, aud in spile of raids and invasions on
a grand scale, there is hardly yet any alarming
scarcity of breadstuff's. Ho is now happy and
conteuted-*-no insurrectionary plots are seeth
ing in his sluggish brain ; no midnight forays
are planned or perpetrated. But in an evil
hour we alter his status—we force him into
the ranks to fight for liberty ; this idea obtains
the mastery of the kindlier instincts of his
nature; the enemy ply him with promises
and inducements yet moie liberal ; his fidelity
is shakeu and lie betrays us in the hour of our
sorestffifcsd. Nor does the evil stop here.—
The contagion spreads; the ido 1 of liberty
leavens rhe whole slave population—and pre
seihty ibey are transformed into a race of (le
mons shrieking tor freedom and howling for
Ifffcod. There springs up a war of races in—
fallowed by scenes that beg ar descrip
tion and that sicken the heart of the spectator.
It is not yet too late to prevent-these ap
palling calamities. But if affairs are not dif
ferently managed and directed, the South will
bo both deprived of slavery aad disappointed
of independence. Her sous iosd daughters
u. in. k s- wanderers in tbe earth, while their fair
1; j.; iivff -.’asre by fire r.ud sword until
•'mu a lose is left on its stalk to tell where t&e
garden had been.'’
Plant Liberally and Sate Seed Plenti
fully.—ln view of the extreme difficulty of
procuring provisions of almost every kind, it
is suggested all who have gardens, to plant
liberally—plant to sell, or give—plant *more
than you want, that yon may relieve suffering
—for assure as the present artificial scarcity
continues to exist—and there is no reason why
it should not—there will be suffering for the
commonest necessaries of life this spring.
We also admonish all gardenera to save seed
plentifully of all kinds, that they may be able
to furnish their neighbors. The present scar
city of good seed should be incentive enough.
Gsx. Thomas’ Movements. —The Montgome
ry Mail of the 24th learns from a gentleman
who has just reached that city from Huntsville,
that G«n. Thomas had sent all his force from
that place to Knoxville, and was about to
start himself, preparatory to a great raid up
the Hast Tennessee Railroad. A small force
wm retained as a garrison for Huntsville;
YiMasTA, rA., Wednesday %riiiL 5, 1865.
i>L YOP I'ltE CITIZE.v
All officers ci the Government, whether civil
or inriio--.y,Uigp or low,are tire mere servantß of
the people, appoimod or elected BOlefy for ti.e
p upo: oi discharging some duty -which,
wSe.i discharged as it ououid he, will benefit
tiie public. Inis being the true
matters as tar as officials ot ail kinds are
c .i-eiiied, it is yie plum duty of the citizens
to wa-.on ii.eii servants wntt a vigu-ut eye,
aad to lane notice when they slight or omit
ideir duties, or are guilty of any mulieusance
m the Gliko which they fioid.
it is ter tiie »ant of mis public scrutiny, aud
because so sew prisons are disposeU to* re
mit ino misconduct oi th*>sc who hold offices,
hat eegiee. and disregard ot, and criminal de
pHi tures from duty suoiten occur «
she Kith moult BtuUfcel is the select organ
lie
that tae -Kmg an. bis app. in tees can do no
iviom.-.” the stench or official co.uupiiou
wnich reeiis even unto high neaveu, has at
length convinced even the editor ot that sheet
that a public servant ought to he watched. He
appears now to have come to the conclusion
which many nave arrived at Ijatig since—that it
is impost bio lor a man lo live extravagantly
on a saiary of from twelve hundred to five
thousand dollars a year, and even grow rich,
and oe honest. Tiie Sentinel,man lor once,
has got on tin right track. YVo hope he will
keep moving in the right direction. The taxes
are getting to be a heavy burthen, gtwious
to be borne. And what mpkes them the more
serious, is tire fact that fully one half if not
more of the money raised from the pock
ets of the is foolishly squandered, or
iu. gaily appropriated by many of the thous
ands of imiiicient, unnecessary officials which
swann throughout the land devouring the
substance thereof, as did the locusts in Egypt
in days oi yore.
Here is what the Richmond Sentinel says
about the incapable officials and the duty
the citizen owes to his Country :
It is the duty of ciiizsnff, when an instance
of malversation iu office comes under their ob
servation, to make report df the offisncc to the
superior authorities. It is a duty .which they
owe to themselves and the country, and which
they may not omit without justly incurring
censure. The putts ie Interest is involved—aa ,
in a lime like this, the public safety is at
stake, —imd patriot has no proper election ns
tiie course be will pursue
This duty of Riecflizon involves a corns
p nditig duty on the part, of the officer to whost
< nonces are to be reported. It tin* one mu-t
inform, the oIL r meet listen. If one mue
indicate -be cxieterteo of malpractice, th.
other must promptly investigate and punish
Nov of either the citizen or the*
supm vizing- 1 authority, by any means confined
to such cases of offence as are capable ot being
presented ilh the form of an exact accusation,
sapporied by full and technical proof. To lay
down such a rule would be to grant impunity
n. ti.a riruot miAnitu nf Qrimumjfc The Dur
pose of an information vs to rnstnata nnu
rect inquiry; and its just roeponslfiiliiies are
fully met, if it show probable cause. .The
magistrate commits for trial upon a reasonable
suspicion. The grand jury orders a man to
Btuud for his life, on ex petrie testimony. It is
only by an authoritative investigation, that tiie
evidence which untolus the truth, can usually
b« discovered; and this investigation it is the
province of Government to undertake aud to
conduct on ils own responsibility. If no trial
were ever ordered until absolute proof of guilt
were fitst produced, and by some volunteer
prosecutor, the courts might almost as well be
abolished, and public juuice declared at an
end.
These principles seem obviously just; but
they are not understood to be so conceded in
practice, in some of the departments of the
Government Borne of the officers who are
charged with the oversight of subordinates, do
not take hints or ordinary information from
citizens, as guides to their own observations
and investigations They require a responsi
ble allegation and formal proo'' as the founda
tion of an inquiry. They have been led to
adept this reserve probably in consequence of
the great number of‘ complaints due to igno
rance or querulousness, or originating in per
sonal feeling. These they may always expect:
but, these cite not sufficient to justify them iu
repulsing the approaches of all.citizens indis
criminately. They should, on the contrary,
keep an open*door, for honest well meaning
men, and receive with manifestations of thank
fulness the communications which they may
make for the good of the public service. An
investigation which the Government may con
duct without inconvenience, is otten matter of
personal feud, perhaps deadly quarrel, it avow
edly based oil a private accusation. Individu
als will shrink from occupying Buck a position,
if not from timidity, at least from that prefer
ence for quiet which most men feel. .JigP e *
dally will they do this when lin y are
sonally possessed of proot adequate to the Tull
establishment of their opinions. Officers who
place obstacles in the way of receiving infor
mation as to the malversation of their subor
dinates, will find indeed that they escape the
auuoyance ot frivolous complaints, but they
will succeed also in giving license to the un-. (
worthy to do pretty much as they list.
Buck impunity must operate very disadvan-
in a community circumstanced as is
ours. An : finite number of public agents are
scattered over the country, many of them en
trusted with the most delicate duties, where
the observation of superiors is impossible, and
where, in consequence of the difficulty of de
tecting irregularities, there can be but little
responsibility. Iu such cases, the public eye
and ear, must lie the principal witnesses and
detectives. The observations of the citizens
ought to be carefully invited, and their state
ment? respectfully listened to and duly weighed,
They must not be told to be silent unless they
shall choose to volunteer as positive accusers
aud rotmvl prosecutors, and thus give to a
public matte the aspect and character of a
priv-rte affeiatioi. An officer has no. right
to tnrust su. han aUernart.ve upon a citizen;
and its effects is os we have said, to secure li
cense and impunity to offenders, even to such
**i3 excite the most open disgust. ,
More Illegal Proceedings. —A few days
since a party of women residing near Sumter,
assisted by a paroled sojdier, made a raid on
the cribs of their neighbors and helped them
selves to what they wanted. They represent
ed themselves to be soldiers’ wives Ille
galities of all kinds should bo summarily stop
ped.
Preparations at Chattanooga. —A late
Northern dispatch states that new ware-houses
have been for some time building at Ghana ■
noonga. and when Gen. Thomas’ headquarters
moved to Nashville, some days ago, supplies
were rapidly accumulating. These store
houses, it 13 said, if placed end to end, would
stretch above two miles.
Absentees is MissiSoirn.— Got. Clark of
Mississippi has signified his intention of calling
out the entire militia of that State on the fourth
of April to arrtat absentees from the
Ux/Atu. A - number «*. papers which
admire a cea iai govc -meat arc vindictively
and vitup i ausiy a- >uiii kg Gov B r owu on ao
couutV-ae pi maples advooaM by him in his
late mes-ago. id lu- a - papers ire nut willing
ihat their patrons shall rea l boll sides They
refuse to public tm arguments of the Gov
ernor. This is imj .it usd unfair. They accuse
a m.tU ot doing wr->m;. **■ >‘ ,t uot a low
aim a fieaiing
ihe eoul-0 of -fie Governor's jppouents -in
this mailer proves om- *umg It proves that
they ate airuM , 43 oi their feeders will
be con; erted, nu., • M to peruse the able
reason.ug, sound oc rines. and sdiiug truths
Contmueu in i.jc and *ut reterred to.. Know
ing th S, id -J ift: Jl> insert it ill Uicil col
oaios, :rnd arc eu hr. ormg to Stir up a bad
1 r -not by making sute-
e * i shadow ot truth about
them There « act much honor in such a
CoUi.se, to suv mo i.-a- And tbo**. who are
pursuing and, vm • »i iromselves not /nucu the
garnets iu iim cn*i " their sins wdi find them
out.” The people c-oroi always be deceived
aud humbugged t 'fi l Truth is mighty and
will prevail. The po-itiou taken-oy Governor
Browu is ire correc. uc Aud what is better,
a great poi ton oi the people oG Georgia wrh
sustain hiiQ—uothwitust Hiding the great et
forts ot Goufe'-USWtle aud the spending
of immense bums out of its public treasury in
various ways, to bring about a different re
bUlt.
A majority of the people o' Georgia are iov
mis of civ-'l liberty. They wLI sustain those
leaders .who sustain the c»ase of civil liberty.
Hence the great popularity of Gov. Brown in
this cbuffuoiiWi.c'lh —and elsewhere where the'
friends of liberty are louud.
An Unhealthy L. cality to Tive in —Some
sections of Southwestern Georgia and Ala
bama appear to be quite unhealthy iosalitie 3
tor law abiding citizens to reside iu.
In Columbus there is an abundance of thiev
ing going on. The Sun thinks that organized
banffs ot robbers cxi. t in that city. In one
suction of tiio place scarcely a night occuis in
which someone is not knocked down and rob
bed. On all the streets leading from Colum
bus, robberies are frequent. Not long since a
miff -was robbed of his purse containing S4OO,
his watch and knife, and then he was coolly
oid red co dismount from his pony, as the vil
lians wished to ride awhile; and thus, d< i> r i
fed of everything, fie was sent on his way.
On Sunday evening a difficu fey occurred in
Columbus between iwo man named Gittsiuger
and Garris Th«> affair wound up by the
former shoot.rg the latter r* .
A few nights since a genlc*m:m named Gil
bert was Waylaid Cbiittehoocheo county,
and murdered. He was found in the toad
•w-iAi. 1. *! till .’cal’ • TYtr leorn pjy; «■»«<**• . J * _p.
A gentlemen living in Russell county, Ala.,
s«y that it is dangerous to be out 01 the house
at night, a;.d that gangs of horse thieves infest
every-neighborhood.
I he Columbus Bun comments on the state of
affairs thus :
Our people should band together for the
protection of themselves uud property. These
scoundrels should be made to know that they
cannot commit lawless deeds with immunity.
r I hey should be forced to feel that we have
laws and that tiny will be enforced
The E-emy Advancing from Pensacola.—
According to the last accounts, the enemy have
commenced their march from Pensacola. Five
regiments of infantry* and cavalry are on the
road leading fiom Pensacola to Pollard.
Their progress is slow, owing to the bad condi
tion of the roads. ' Another column, when last
heard ftom, was at. Milton.
Scouts from Pensacola, says the Montgomery
Advertiser, state that the force at that place be
fore tho above movements wore? made ,was five
brigades. They re port that the plan talked ot
was for the two columns to torm a junction at
Greenviile, la order, effectually, to destroy the
railroad, e-ike possession of Tensas river,
which will give them contiol over the Ala
bama, and by thus cutting off Mobile endeavor
fci> compel tne evacuation of that place.
, Gen. Clinton has left Montgomery for Pol
lard to look after matters.
Gen. Fohrest’s Army.-We learn from a
number of sources that Gen. Forrest lias or
ganized the largest and finest army in North
Mississippi, since the retreat from Tennessee,
that has been under his command.
Besides, we are happy to state that Gen.
Forrest and Gen Taylor agree trad work har
moniously together This . augurs favorably
for success -i% the coming campaign in that
section.
Gold Tumbling. —The tax imposed on gold
by the late act iff Congress ha? had a good ef
fect already. The price ot the precious metal
has commenced decliuiog. It collectors are
empowered by the iaw to confiscate all gold
which is not returned, it witi have a good ef
fect in making unprincipled men give in oor.
rect returns. Aad if correct returns a T s given
in, many a man who im beeD fl* ji .; the com
munity will be compelled to disgorge.
Progressing.—Robbery and slnie breaking
•is geiiiug tc b> of iiequ.. ut occurrence in Jia
cou.
The body of a murdered soldier was found
near Talbctton, Ga., a few days since. The
skull had been smashed in with an axe. The
body could not be recognized as it had been
muoh tom by dogs.
An Expedition for the Texas Coast.—
Blockade running between Galveston and the
West Indies, is carried on very successfully,
perhaps rivaling in this respect the ports of
Wilmington and Charleston. To stop this it
is intimated an expedition is being organized
at New Orleans.
Another Military Post.— We learn that a
military post has been established at the village
of social Circle, on the Georgia Railroad. For
one we cannot 6ee the necessity of a military
post at that place, It may be necessary,
however. If so—all right. If not—it la an
excellent bomb-proof.
The Crops is Middle Georgia —Letters
from Middle Georgia state that the wheat crops
are looking well— notwithstanding the bad
weather.
SP OI XL AI iSS WE K P.E IDtC <|D YVl'i.
To the syn Ue a.d House of B-preseniatives. of
ihe C/Onf '■ derate Siate.-i of America: ~
YVhen imormed on Thursday i r-,- runt it was
the intention of Congress to adjourn sine die
on the ensuing Saturday.T deemed um, duiv'
to request' a posiponeun-nt ■ f the . Ijournment,
in order"thar 1 mi..hi. submit * r your consider
ation certain matceis u i jiu.iiic iu ■ usi., which
are now laid before you. Wo«u ' rli.u equ.-st
was made.- iue most iiiip* riant m.-a-.u-.e:, iccr
had occupied yo..i ati-(. u.n dung :h ..a
Sion biU He f been so tai advanced as to Uo
submitted for Exccir >5 aviion u;l ;:o - tate
oi the cbnctiy ha i i*-. *_n so mVeciau.v effected
by the events ot lb,: tu-r uur m.; 1 a.; 10
evince the necessity ot furifier and more ener
getic legislation. i,.Au *..s coutomplaU.-o m
Npveiob.*: last. -
‘Oar country is now en- round ofi perils
which it is oui di a >.) v nti aipuite.
Thus alone cau .~;ey to
ave.i. t.hveatHn«-d c.»; s be w-'-ety devU-- 1
and efficeatiy enforced. 1
VBOUIIESS *Ot TH WA!
Recent mllii.iiy op .atm.,s t.f the enediy
have beck success:u ru tin captuie ■ , some ci
our seaports, In inter.uptUig some of our tines
of communication, .aid in a vasUaug largo
districts of our eounuy. Ti. so events have
had the natural oifiv: u; « n .gitig our loes,
and dispirnmg niauy of ou>. people, t'iie oap
itat ot theUonteuci’uLe Biate-s Is now
and is in greater danger than it has heretofore
been during the war ihe tact Gsvafi and without
reserve or couceaunent us due io fcae p opte
whose servants we ate,"and in whose couiage
and constancy entire tfus» isieijusefi; as duo to
you, in whose wisdom uno resoiuto piiit iuu
people have confided ior the mioplion of
tin measures required to mud litem If-on
threatened perils.
While stating .to you that our country is in
danger, 1 desire a-.s>o to slate rhy ileiibfiraie
conviction that R is within our power to avert
the calamities which menace.us, ttnU to secure
the triumph ot the sacred cause lor which so
much saoiihce has been made, so much suffer
ing endureu, so many precious lives been lost.
This result is to he obtained by k* r titu«itf, qy
courage, by eohsianay in enduring the sacri
fices stilt needed; m a word, by the prompt
and resolute devotion ot (lit; whole' resources
ol men and money in the Confederacy to the
achievement ot our liberties and indepen
dence.
The measures, now required, to ho success
ful, should be prompt. Long deliberation and
protracted debate over important measures are
hot. only ualuiai, bur. laudable m represents
tive assemblies under ordinary ciicuiusTaiices;
but in momenta ot danger when action be
comes argent the delay nuts caused is itselTauew
source 01 perii. Thus it has unfortunately hap
pened that some ot the measures passed by you
in ursaauca ot UlO recommendations contain
cd in my message otN-vemci r last, have been
so retarded as to lose much of their value, or
have, for rhe same reason, been abandoned
alter being maimed, becarrsh no longer appli
cable to our altered condition; and others have
not been brought under exaqiih tiioti. In ma
king these remarks R is tar n m my intention
to attribute t-ni i«.-ks of time touiiy omrr cau res
than those inherent in (Jctibeiar vc asiicnibiies,
but only urgautiy to lvcoinmend prompt action
upon the measures now submitted.
We need, lor carrying on ihe w,tr success
fully, men aud supplies for Idle army. We
h«ve poth within mir country suffimeut to at
tal . ■ rA.
To bbtam the supplies * ncoasaiy lo'p.Ty
tect productive districts, guard our luma of
communication by an-in m cash m tiio number
of our forces; aiul hence it results, that with a
large augmentation iu tree number ot im a in
• the army, the laciiily oi supplying the troops
would be greater than with our meant reduced
strength.
SUPPLIES—PAYMENT FdK THEM IN CJIN.
For the purchase of supplies now required,
especially, lor the nicies in Virginia and
North Carolina, the treasury must be provid
ed with means; and a modification in the im
pressment, law is required. It has been as
certained, by examination, that v e have with
in our reach a sufficiency of what is most need
ed ior the army, and without having le
course to the ample previsions existing in
those parts of the Confederacy with whifli
our communication lias been partially inter
rupted by hostile operations. But in some
districts from which supplies are to be drawn
the inhabitants, being eitiffir within the ene
my’s lines or in very cloi e proximity, fire un
abie to make use of Confederate treasury
notes for the purchase of articles of priiho ne
cessity, and it is necessary that, to some exteuf,*
coin he paid in order to obtain supplies, It is'
therefore, recommended that Congress devise
the means for making available the coin vviih
in the Confederacy for the purpose of supply
ing the army The oilicers.of the supply de
partments report that, with two million dol
lars iu coin, the armies in Virginia and North
Carolina can be amply supplied for the re
mainder of the year; and the knowledge of this
fact should suffice to insure the adoption of
the measures necessary to obtain this moder
ate sum.
• IMPRESSMENT.
The impressment law, as it now exists, pro
hibits the public officers from impressing sup
plies without making payment of the valua
tion at the tjme of impressment. The limit
fixed for the issue of treasuiy notes has been
nearly reached, and the treasury cannot always
furnish the funds necessary for prompt pay
ment while the law for raising revenue which
would have afforded meam, for diminishing if
not removing, this difficulty, was, unfortunate
ly, delayed for several mouths, and as just
been signed. In this condition of tun 03, it is
impossible to supply tire army, alt.hou > ample
stores may exist in the country, when mi the I
owners refuse to give credit to the public of- ■
fleer.
It is necessary that this restriction cn the !
power of impressment be removed. The pow- i
er is admitted to be objee amiable, liable to
a».use, aud unequal in its operation ou indi
viduals; yet all these objections must yield to
absolute necessity. It is also suggested that
the system of valuation now established ought
to be radically changed. The legislation re
quires. iu such cases of impressmeni, that the
market price be paid; but "there is really no
market price in many cases, and then valua
tion is made arl itrarily and m a depreciated
currency. Ihe result Is, that tee most * x*r-iv
agant prices are fixed,* such as no onto ever
expects to be paid iu coin. None belie* o * at j
ffie G( vernment can ever redeem in coin the i
obligation to pay fifty dollars a bushel for j
corn, or seven hundred dollars a barrel for j
flour. It wouffi seem to be more just _ aud ap- j
propriate 10 estimate the supplies impressed
at theii value iu coin; to give the obligation of
the Government for the payment of the price
in coin, with reasonable interest, or, at the
option of the credit or, to return in kind the
wheat or corn impressed, with a reasonable in
terest, also payable in kin i; and to make the
obligations thus issued receivable for ail pay
ments due in coin to the Government. What
ever be the va' ue attached by Congress to
these suggestions, it is hoped that there will
be no hesitation in so changing the law as to
render it possible to supply the army in case
of necessity for the impressment of provisions
for that purpose.
The measure adopted to rane revenue,
though liberal in its provisions, bemg clearly
inadequate to meet the arrear of debt and the
current expenditures, some degree of embar
rassment in the management of the finances
most continue to be felt. It is to be regretted, j
I think that the recommendation of tye sec
retary of the Treasury, of 4 tax on agncuUur
al Income equal to the augmented tax on oth -
er incomes, payable in treasury notes, was re
jected by Congress. This tax would have con-
VOL. LXXIV.—-NEfiV SERIES XXIV T 7
tributed materially tc facilitate Ut ■ pu*
of provisions and diminish the necessity that is
now telt for a supply of coin.
TUK EXEMPTION BILL.
The measures passed by Congress during the
session for recruiting the army ami .applying
the additional lorce needed foi the public ue -
tence have been, in my judgment, nsiifficient,
and 1 am impelled by a profound conviction of
duty, and stimulated by a sens-- of the p rils
which surround our country, to urge upon you
additional legislation up-on this subject.
The bill for effiplovmg negro .; soldier
has not yes: cached m thong .
journals of your proceedings iniorra :
passage. Much benefit -is w: ie pd. .1 R it
measure, though far loss th- n wou'-u re
sulted from adopi.-'i at an
as to aiiiord time ior their o>g m : '
struction during the wfiuUr months
The bill for oimmisiung th ; t nu;' cos ex
einpta has just boon made I .re ; ; r.; .1
special mess >gc, ared its provision: ■ ,1.
would add no streflgi:- to :!m ur-ry. . lie 1
commendation to aboff ::. mi c ; .'x-u-.cMol
hag not met your favor, idtiionga still tictmod
by me .. •. uu.re • and uapi.i ianfc in; -mure; ;iu ;
the number of men exempted by new ■au o
iu the act- just passed is . ved u> be quite
equal to that oi those u exi-mpsi-.m i v.-
voked. A law of a few lines repeali ; all
ciasf exemptions, wotud uot only rj -e .-red-. n
the forces iu the field, but be still mo.. . jl. •-
tidal by abating the natural iecoutent ami
jealously created la the army- by tin: existeace
of classes privileged by iaw to remaui in places
of safety while their fellow citizens ace exposed
in the i renches and the field.
THE MILITIA.
Ihe measures most Deeded, however, at Iu
present time, for affording an effective increase
to our military strength, is a general militia
law, such as the Constitution authorizes Con
gress to pass by granting to it power " to pro
vide for organizing, arming and disciplining
the militia, aud tor governing such part ot
'them- as may be employed in the service of
the Confederate Staves, and the further power
“to provide for calling forth the mi-iur, t
execute the laws of Ihe Confederate • Bt,; ■ ,
suppress insurrections and repel invasiolfts.V.
The necessity for the exercise of- this powoi
can never exist if not in tiie circumstances
which now surround us. The security .of in
states against any encroachment by the Con
federate Government is amply provided by .the
Constitution by reserving to tho' States re
spectively, the appointing of the officers, ;md
the authority of training the militia accorc ing
to the discipline prescribed t,*y Congress
A law is needed to preserbe not only how,
and of what persons, the militia are* to be or
ganized, but to provide tho mode of ca'ling
them out. If instances be required, to sb ••
the necessity of such general law, it is . u iff
eieufc to mention that, in one case, l have been
informed by ihe Governor of a Btato that, the
law does not permit him to call the mil. . :
from oue county for service ill another, so • h
a single brigade of the enemy , could t , *
the State, and devastate each county in ;
without any power on th» part of the Ex-vu -
live to Ui and tho militia for effective def.-.-c-- ;
while in another State the Executive re iff and w
allow the militia “ to lie employed in Hie ser
vice of ihe Confederate State.:,” in thy. aromoc.-
of a law for t!?at purpose.
EUSPEHSIOJr CP THE HABEAS CORPUS.
I have heretofore, in a confident message
to Uvusijt), stated the facts wii.on induce *
us P fofcc frwmnjrr.fttr.-2--tv,---re jv i • eg?
ol (he Writ Os ffiwerfirVUl'piis SttOlllirde'—rr*-''-* •-
ded. The conviction of the necessity ol tins
measure has become deeper as the event.; of
the struggle have been-developed. Con n re;
has not* concurred with me iu opinion,
my duty to guy that the time has uvri.vs.-d n
the suspension of the wiit is not simply a- vis
able aud expo lient,.but almost iudi: pen-able
to the Buoces ful conduct o the reOu (h,
gress must rest the responsibility!
to exercise a power conferred by the Core.re 1
tion as a means of public safety, to bo u ed . iu
periods of national peril resulting from loire-tu
invasion. If our present cirtum.: -.nee; ere
not such as were contemplated vgiea tills po r
er was conferred, I confess myself at a loss 10
imagine any contingency in which this c! -11.
of the constitution will not, remain a dead let
ter.
With the prompt adoption of the measures
above recommended, ffnd the united and hearty
co-operation of Cohgrers and the people in the
execution of the laws and the 'deton :e of the
country, we may enter upon the present cam
paign with cheerful confidence in the resui
And who can doubt the contipusd existence of
that spirit and fortitude in the peop e, and ot
that constancy under reverses which alone iu a'
needed to render our triumph secure? What 1
other resources rtmaiffis available but the un
dying, unconquerable resolve to be free? li
has become certain, beyond ail doubt or qtle ,
tidn, that we must continue this struggle to a
successful issue, or must make abject and un
conditional submission to such terms as it shall
please the conqueror to impose on us after our
surrender. It a possible doubt could exist
after the conference between our commission
ers and Mr. Linco’n, as recently reported to
you, it would be dispelled by ruc-. nfc occur
i renee, of which it improper that von should he
informed.
TIIS PEACE CONFERENCE—THE MILITARY COXY a
TION—INTERVIEW BETWEEN UxSERALS IreNG
6IREET AND ORD.
Congress will remember thrt, in fhe'coaf-.--
e»ce above referred to, our cor Usikncr;
were informed that the G ove mint t of the
.United] e>tates 4 wquld not enter into = iy agree
ment or treaty whatever v/ijh the C ••iVrerate
States, or with any single
only possible mode of obtain : rig tore so was by
laying down our arms,disbar and , ;..vd
yielding unconditional obe li ~ e : ■ ; law.-
; the United States,including those : v 1 for tie
| confiscation of our: property at -i he eo . i
| tutional amendment for the abolition of silve
ry. It will further *b« remembered, that Mr.
Lincoln declare 1 that the only ’terms on which
hostilities could cease were those silted in his
message ot December lass, iu which we were
informed that in the event of our penitent sub
mission, he would temper justice with mercy,
and that the question whether wo would be
governed as dependent teritorrics, or permit
ted to have a representative iu their Congress
was one on which he could promise nothing,
but which would be decided by their Congress
after our submission had been accepted.
It has not however, been hitherto stated to
you that, in the pourse of the conference at
Fortress Monroe, a suggestion wes made by
I one of our commissioners that the objections
! entertained by Mr. Lincoln to treating with the
Government ol the Confederacy, or with any
separate State, might be avoided by substitu
ting for the usual mode of negotiating through
commissioners, or other diplomatic agents the
me?bod sometimes employed ot a military
convention to be entered into by the command
ing- generals of the armies of the two beiliger- j
enta. This he admitted, was a power possess- j
ed by him, though it was not thought coin- |
mensurate with all the questions invpvied. j
As he did not accept the suggest ion when j
made, be was afterwards requested to reconsid
er his conclusion upon the subject of. a sus
pension of hostilities, which lie agreed to do,
but said that he had maturely considered o
the plan, and had determined that it could
not be done.
Subsequently, however, an interview with
General Longstreet was asked for by Gen. Old,
commanding the enemy’s Army of the James,
during which General Longstreet was informer
by him that there was a possibility of arriving
at a satisfactory adjustment of the present un
happy difficulties by means of a military con
vention, and thaS if General Lee desired .. in
terview on the subject it would not be de
clined, provided General Lee had authority ta
j fern •1 : ■T'- t *-ce yi rhe suggestion, above re
-Btruotinna tojft
; ” ; 1 ■ 1- -Iff, 06 Ihe std
| oonfer--m * 6 i ss *>i-*-ba*y -to meet Imn for
[ was vested wiib's ne r'cii'n • v tU^ t . U . e
I era! Giant's reply s- ■ vt,’ V J i* Uta '
thority to accede to*the v f 110 au ~
, u - u *-*- e pioposeu conference :
i P ° WerS oui y to making oou-
I Iml ?“ Purely ot a military char
|*7 a “-' - l! “ •' 1 Grd ...... only have
! -' lc,tut ‘h't ;m mterview would u >i be riilused
' - wuicii-he fGauorai Grant) had
,* 1 full - s appears, that neither with the Con
j rodtua-.e amnorities, nor the autno- ities of any
i generals,
■i. ...c t.uueu oiar.es Meat or make any terms
j v ‘ i V* i ?®““ at whatever tor the cessation tff hos
: uativs x'iioro remams tUoo for u> no choice
! out to coutiime this contest to a fiua issue ;
j lii . i -e Ooii.oj-, rvey edu be but
; iiuovvu tohiui wim supposes it possible
I LUey WOUill r »»» ,• 5, v ,l
! cost 01 uegrai!" ,i* o P o
■ 14 periaibsion lo
i ''+ giiiTibouea uy tnoir own uc
! S'£* x *°* governca by officers sent by the con
| quere-i vo rule over them.
| Having thus iuliy placed before you the in
j we arc exposed, and the measures 1 " of
uoa needed for wcuing them, m- remains for
I me bur, to invoke your aftamiou to the consul*
■j of those means by ..Vo all
| ovs ! to escape ,ine,ca!aaiities
j . iMt woi.ua 1 trimt iroin our luiiiuxo. rroiiiiuout
jaloveui others, is the necessity lor earnest,
arU corona co-operation between ail depart
ments or government, B ,u- and Confederate,
auu au euiment off ize re throughout the Con
federacy. To you especially, as Senators and
ii-.)presantatives, do me people look ior en
-0010 agomant mid counsel, fo’your action not
oa |y m iffgfi 'a- ive funk, but in. your homes,
their eyes be turh and lof die. example' of
vv .icit in (.ciiuing men who, by willing sacrl-
I aces on the at tar of ireeuom, chow that they
u -‘° woiifij th enjoy its bfesskigs. I feel lull
ootihiicnoe that you will concur with me in the
Conviction that j ui-pub Be duties will not bo
eudtd when you s:. *- have closed the legisla
ti t.o labors of toe s..- u, , but 1 aat your voice
will be heard eff -,g and encouraging tho
jusopii* -o tiiac persijjieat /..-•> tade which they
have hithedo djsp - veu ;.ad animatiug them
by the mauifesu.. •; dial serene confidence
wide a, in m>m \ iff' j nbffc ci ..ger, is the
disimetive t-harncc ratio of * fie pa- ffotj who de
rives courage ir .<, in- deViAioff to his country’s
1 destiny; and is ums mvibfed to impivo tiie like
coin ago in oi i-r.
Thus united iff it common and holy, cause, 1 1 -i
--iik. ib-jve .1,;.-(>.. colmUcrations rendering ail
wu- meims a.u-t lacuii-ies tinbulary to me coun
try's wc:iia r. let us bow su.uui -sively to the
JD:Vi- e'wiii, utivipevv urn Jy invoke me blessing
qj oar Heaveniy F.tuier, mat as He' protected
and gu.dad our srres when struggling iu a sim
khi * i-i-.e, sj be wiiv euabfe u > uo guard saiuiy
uih au.ais and our iu'-. rm. s, and maihlaiu in
viciuie the p-oiivicairights which we inherited.
Jei-eishsoh Davis.
Y4.NEHO ilvi. r. . ortu Carolina.—Gen.
Schofield - -a series of orders, by
which .he peop l © u North Carolina who have
,
I we copy'sci ugiiipits Jrom the series :
| I. Provo marsh.in this Department will
administer lac uaih of allegiance to such per
sons as cubic within the p,; *nß‘Oi the Am*
ms y proclamation .of the President of the
United Stales, prpvid.-J hey are satisfied that ■
such pcrs'oitS cii.sire, in ood faith, to aid in
restoring the National auffiority, anti that they
tl e oath g. all< gi nice cheerfully and vol-
I ' n-y.
ii. IL pores' will 'l)6 made weekly to the pro*
vost-m ire.rat genera,i, giving the name, age
and place of residence ol every' person wno
shall have subscribed to to;.- oath of allegiance;
afto, of adi otner adult w rite persons residing
within the juris ;ieisou of each 1 revest marshal,
together with such information as can bo od
taintff touching the chanici.cr of each individ
ual.
ill. Persons of known disloyalty, and those
who shall, by their language or conduct, man
ifest tioihiiity to the'GdVeuinieiH.pf the United ’
Stares, i-hau bo scut beyond tm* litres ol the
army’ by an order item ree provost marshal
general, or he brought beioie a military com -
mission for »1 * tl Bud punishment, according to
the nature oi t,ia otLuce. -
lV r . Officers auihorfzed bylaw to appoint
general courts in ucial are empowered 10 ap
point military commissions, and to confirm
and execute ihe sentences of such commissions,
with the same limitations as in the case of gen
eral courts martial.
V. Commercial intercouse within the limits
of this department will tie governed ctticliy by
the laws of the United Slates and the regula
tion:. of the Treasury Department, and will bo
Jimi: ;d to that which may be uecassary to sup
ply • ho wants ot the loyai people residing with
in the lines of military occupation and persons
within the cu-hoy o; tn-: Govcntqgnt, None
but persona 01 undoubted loyally and good
character will be peimitted to trade within the
limi aoi tuc-depai merit,
VI. Intercuixise between towns -occDied by
the uimy and the surrounding country, within
the lines ot military occupation, will bo per
rau. -.u under d-ttim:- t«- h e abiishod by ,
die provost mavEunl gv i.c.i.'!, ior ihe pm pose
of etuibling iue inhabuuuU to supply them*
selves withHlio injures 1 1-. • of lite.
VII. The loyal pc-oplo oi the country,resi-
I ding within ho lines ot the army, will be per
-• milled to bring ireely to maiket the products
! ol t,heir iaims, and to receive in payment the
| currency ot the Un.teii S: >tcs. They will also
| ue permitted to purchase »:tntiy supplies irom
| persons author;red to t; ade, u ; -on permits grant
ed ity the loe vi provost-iud. rßtj ais.
Viu. ltuilroada and telegraph lines are un
der special injihary protection. Any person
.who shall break, injure, or in any manuer in
terfere with their minimy use, or ehail lire in
to any rai*oad train, or any vessel navigating
the waters of this department, shall be pun
shed with death or otherwise, at the discre
tion-of a military commi.iiou.
IX. The destruction of property, public or
private, is a waste of the national wealth, and
alike injurious to the people and the Govern
ment. it is, therefore, to be avoided, except ‘
where military operations render it necue*ary.
The highest commander present must alone be
the judge of such necessity.
X. The troops will Le supplied with such of
the products of the coui, *y: especially vegeta
bles, as are necessary 1m their health and com
fort. This must te dene by the proper staff
officers, acting under the orders ol the division
and brigade commander.-.
XL. Strag‘!(!i!g*arid irregular ‘oraging by
individuals arc prohibi ed, and will be severe
ly punished.
Bliningig still larg-jf, i i-.-ci-ibl-; in Califor
nia. Tire placer or su 1. s g are pretty
well exhausted, but toe m -s or gold lies low,
in the beds r.t quarto m ravel and
these are now y ielding a.- well, or better than
ever before. (;.se <■ .;.-D--ay s.t *-• 1 a
recently, after two weeks luu oi tb& crusfiing
miiis, • ciemv"! id" tire h ' one fim of
twenty ii 'nr com
pani‘;-are tv & » a Lsmired
thott- -ud doll Ia we-: .. - »u almost every
is making good v, .-3 • . -. v over the
tailings liom tiw muls avoye. or digging down
Confcdera- * ►ll i 1,. ■ viu cu..e numerous
i on the Ohio rivet,