The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-05-10

ment Of a magazine and laboratory for
preparation 81 ordinance stores, and the
necessary appropriation for that purpose.
Hitherto such stores have usually been
prepared at the navy yards, and no appro-
Pfiatlon was made at your last session LOT
this object.
The Secretary also calls attention to the
TACT that no provision has been made for
the payment OF invalid pensions to our
own Citizens Many Of these persons are
advanced ia life, they have no means OF
support, and by the secession OF these
states have been deprived Of their claim
against the Goyerument of the United
States. I Recommend the appropriation
OF the sum necessary to pay these pen
sioners, as well as those of the army, whose
claims can scarcely exceed seventy thou
sand dollars per annum.
The Postmaster General has already
succeeded in Organizing his department
to such an extent as to be in readiness to
assume the direction Of our postal affairs,
on the occurrence of the contingency con-
templated bv the Act of 18th March, 1861,
or even sooner If desired by Congress
The various books and circulars have been
prepared, and measures have been taken
tosecuresupplies blanks, postage stamps,
stamped envelopes, mail bags locks. keys,
etc. He presents a detailed classification /
and Arrangement of his clerical force, and /
asks for its increase. An auditor of the
treasury for this department is necessary, |
and plan IS submitted for the organiza- |
ton OF this bufeau. The great number |
and magnitude,of the accounts Of this de |
partment. require an increase of the cleri- |
cal force in the accounting branch in the |
Treasury. The revenue Of this depart |
ment is collected and discussed in modes |
peculiar to itsef, and requires special bu- |
reau to secure D proper accountability in
the administration of the finances.
l call your attention to the additional
legislation required for this Department
to the Recommendation for changes in
the law fxinf the rates of postage on
newspapers, periodicals and sealed pack
ages OF certain kinds. and specially to the
recommendation of the Secretary, in which
/ concur, that Eou provide at once for the
assumption byhim of the control Of our
entire postal sayice
In the milits organization of the States,
| provision is made for Brigadier and Ma !
| ior-General, but in the Army of the Con-
federate States the highest grade is that
Brigadier General. Hence it will no doubt
sometimes occur that when troops of the
| Confederacy do duty with the militia, the
General selected for the command. and
possessed of the views and purposes OF
this government, will be superseded by
an officer of the militia not having the
same advantages. To avoid this contln-
gency in the least Objectionable manner |
recommend that additional rank be given
to the General of the Confederate Army,
@f u
but one grade of Generals in the Army OF
the Confederacy, / recommend that the
law of its organization be amended, so that
the grade be that Of General.
To secure Thorough military education,
it is deemed essential that officers should
enter upon the study Of their profession
at an early period of life, and have ele-
mentary instruction in military school.
Until such school shall be established, it
is recommended that cadets be appointed
and attached to companies until they
shall have attained the age and acquired
the knowledge to ut them for the duties
of Lieutenants.
l also call your attention toan omission
in the law organizing the army in rela-
ton to Military chaplains, and recon-
mend that provision be made for their ap-
pointment.
In conclusion, / congratulate you on the
fact that in every portion of our country
there has been exhibited the most patrio-
tic devotion to our common cause. Trans
portation companies have freely rendered
the use of their lines for troops and sup
plies. The Presidents of the Railroads Of
the ConfederHcy. in company with others
who control lines Of communication with
, States that we hope soon to greet as sis
tiers, assembled in Convention in this city,
and not only reduced for mail service and
conveyance of troops and munitions, but
, voluntarily proffered to receive their COM
pensation at these reduced rates in the
bonds Of the Confederacy. for the pur-
) pose of leaving all the resources of the
/ Government at its disposal for the com
mon defence. acquisitions for troops
have been met with such alacrity that the
numbers rendering their services have, in
every instance, greatly exceeded the de
? mand. Men OF the highest official and
p social position, are serving as volunteers
in the ranks. The gravity Of age and the
= zeal of youth rival each other in the
p desire to be foremost in the public de
p fence and though at no other point than
p the one heretofore noticed, have they
been stimulated by the excitement incl
= dent to actual engagement, and the hope
Of distinction for individual achievement,
. they have borne what for new troops is
? a most severe ordeal. patient toll and con-
I slant vigil. and all the exposure and dis
! | comfort Of active service, with a resulu-
2 ton and fortitude such as to command
. appreciation and justify the highest expec.
= taqOn of their conduct when active valol
e shall be required in place of steady en-
D durance.
A people thus united and resolved can
= not shrink from any sacrifice which they
; may be called on to make, nor can there
+ be a reasonable doubt of their final sue
f cess, however long and severe may be the
S test of their birth right Of freedom anc
n equality, as a trust which it is their frs
: duty to transmit undiminished to theil
g posterity.
; A bounteous providence cheers will
d the promise of abundant crops. Tn,
e fields of grain which will within few
g weeks be ready for sickle, give assurane,
Il OF the amplest supply of food for man
It whilst the corn, cotton. and other stapl
d productions of our soil afford abundan
y proof that up to this period the seasol
has been propitiouS.
D We hel that our cause was Just an,
Is holy Wa, protest solemnly in the face q
Il mankind that we desire peace at an
n sacrifice, ave that Of honor and indeper
n dence; wa seek no conquest, no aggrar
- dizement, 10 concession OF any kind from
We the States With which we were lately cor
20 nected; all we ask is to be let alone
< that those who never held powe
5, over US. shall not now attemp
b. our su6juguion by arms. This W
Dt will, this we must resist to the dires
h extremity. The moment that this prefer
Of ton is abandc ned, the sword will dro
l. from our grasp, and we shall be ready {
D. enter into treat rs OF amity and commerc
n that cannot but be mutually beneficial
g So long as this pretention is maintained
" with a firm reliance on that Divine Powe
N which covers with its protection the jus
cause, we will COZ tinue to struggle for GU
re inherentpt right to freedom, indeper
IN dence and self government.
ID J :FFERSON DAVIS.
Isofrosse-1f u-s 1851