The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-29
TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES
Message Of JEFF. Davis to the
Confederate Congress. |

ASuAouu PoPOAo Vi " CuuOouoy '"oS
contain the message Of President Davis to
the Congress of the rebel States. Alter
the usual congratulations, be says the ope-
rations of the army, soon to be partially
interrupted by the approaching winter, have
afforded protection to the country, and
shed glorious lustre upon its arms, thro'
the trying viclssitudes of more than ons ar
duous campaign, which entities our brave
volunteers to our praise and gratitude.
Further on be says, after more than sew
en- months of war the enemy have not only
failed to extend their occupancy of our
soil, but new states and territories have
been added to our Coniederacy, while, in
stead of their threatened march of uncheck.
ed conquest, they have been driven at more
than one point to assume the defensive, and
upon a fair comparison between the two
belligerents, as to men, military means, of
financial condition, the Confederate States
are relatively much stronger now than when
the struggle commenced.
He speaks 10 high terms of the people of
the State of Missouri, who he says conduc-
ted the war in the face of almost unparal-
leled difficulties, with spirit and success
alike worthy of themselves and OF the great
cause in which they are struggling.
He continues further, that the CoDfeder-
ate states are about to be invaded through
Kentucky, and that her people alter being
driven into mistaken security, we're un-
armed and in danger of being subjugated by
the Federal forces.
Our armies were marshalled into that
State to repel the enemy and prevent their
occupation of certain strategic points which
would have given them great advantage in
the contest: a step which was not only
proved by the necessity Of self defence on
the part of the Confederate States, but also
by desire to aid the people of Kentucky.
1t was never intended by the Confederate
Government to conquer or cOerce the peo-
pie of that State, but on the contrary, it
was declared by our Generals that they
would withdraw their troops if the Federal
Government would do likewise.
A proclamation was also made of our de-
sire to respect the neutrality of Kentucky,
and the intention to abide by the wishes Of
her people as soon as they were free to ex-
press their opinions. These declarations
were approved by me, and l should regard
it as one OF the best effects of the march OF
our troops into Kentucy, if it should aid
in giving to her people liberty of choice and
free opportunity to decide their own pol
icy according to their own will.
While, he says, the army has been chiefly
instrumental in prosecuting the great cons
or hnco off, Mt in fill
proportion to its means. He speaks OF the
difficulties attending mail transportation,
some Of which he declares can be overcome
only by time and the improved condition
of the country, or the restoration of peace,
but others by legislation.
As TO the financial system, it has worked
well so far and promises good results for the
future. To the extent that Treasury notes
may be issued, the Government is enabled
to borrow money without interest and thus
facilitate the conduct of the war. This ex-
tent is measured by the portion of the field
OF circulation which the notes can be made
TO occupy. The proportion of the field
thus occupied depends again upon the
amount of the debts tor which they are re
ceivabe, and when due, not only to the Con.
aole in this medium, a large portion may
be circulated at par. There is every rea.
son to believe that the Confederate Treasury
note is fast becoming such medium. The
proposition that these notes shall be con.
verted into Confederate Stock, bearing 8
per cent. interest, at pleasure of the holder,
insures them against a depreciation below
the value OF that stock and no considerable
fall in their value need be feared so long as
the interest shall be punctually paid. The
punctual payment OF this interest has been
secured by the act lassed by you at the
last session, which imposed such a rate Of
taxation as must provide sufficient means
for that purpose.
For the successful prosecution OF this
war, it is indispensable that the means
of transporting troops and military supplies
be furnished as far as possible in such man
ner as not to interrupt the commercial in.
tercourse between our people nor place q
check upon their productive energies.
In another part of his message he says
We have already two main systems of
through transportation from north to SOUTH
one from Richmond along the seaboard, and
the other through West Virginia to New
Orleans. A third might be secured by
completing link of about forty miles be.
tween Danville in Virginia and Greenbo-
rough, North Carolina. The construction
of this comparatively short line would give
US through route from north to south in
the interior of the Confederate States and
give US access to population and its mill
tary resources from which we are now in a
great measure debarred.
If, he says further, we husband our means
and make a judcious use Of our resources, it
would be difficult to find limit to the ne.
riod during which we could conduct war
against the adverSaries whom we now en-.
counter.
The very efforts which he makes to des.
olate and divide US exhaust bis means
whilst they serve to complete the circle and
diversity the production of our industrial
system. The reconstruction which he seeks
to effect by arms becomes daily more and
more palpably impossible.
Not only do the causes which induced us
to separate remain in full force but they
have been STRENGTHENED and wha fever dnnht