New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-03

call your attention to the additional legislation
required for this Departmental the recommend.
alton for changes in the law fixing the rates
Of postage on newspapers and sealed packages Of
certain kinds, and specially to the recommendation
Of the secretary, in which concur, that you pro-
yide at once for the assumption by him Of the CON
troll OF our entire postal service.
In the military organization of the States, pro.
vision is made for Brigadier and Major Generals.
but IN the army of the Confederate States the high
est grade is that Of Brigadier General: hence It
Will no doubt sometimes occur that where 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be superseded by an officer Of the militia not hav-
ing the same advantages.
To avoid contingencies in the least objection.
able manner, recommend that additional rank be
given to the General of the Confederate army, and
concurring in the policy of having but one grade
OF Generals in the army of the Confederacy,
recommend that the law be amended go that the
grade be that of General.
10 secure thorough military education, it is
deemed essential that officers should enter upon
the study of their profession at an early period Of
llfe, and have elementary instruction in q military
school.
Until such school shall be established, it is rec
| commended that cadets be appointed and attached
to companies until they shall have attained the age
and shall have acquired the knowledge to fit them
for the duties of lieutenants.
also call your attention to an omission in the
law organizing the army, in relation to military
chaplans, and recommend that provisions be made
for their appointment.
In conclusion, I congratulate you on the fact
That In every portion of our country there has
been exhibited the most patriotic devotion TO our
common cause. Transportation companies have
freely rendered the use of their lines for troops
and supplies.
The Presidents of the Railroads of the confed-
eracy, in company with others who control lines
OF communication with States that we hope soon
to greet sisters. assembled in convention in this
CITY, have not only reduced largely the rates here
tofore demanded for mail service and conveyance
VI troops and munitions but have voluntarily prof
fered to receive their compensation at their re-
duced rates in the bonds of the Confederacy for
the purpose of leaving all the resources of the
Government at its own dismissal for the common
| defence.
| acquisitions for troops have been met with such
alacrity that the numbers rendering their services
nave IN every instance greatly exceeded the de-
| mand. Men Of the highest official and social posi-
tlon are serving as volunteers in the ranks The
gravity OF age the zeal of YOUTH rival each other
in the desire to be foremost in the public defence,
and though at ne other point than the one hereto.
iore noaced nave they been stimulated by the ex-
eitement incident to actual engagement and the
hope OF distinction for individual department, they
have borne what for new troops is the most severe
ordeal, patient toll, constant vigil and all the ex-
posure and discomfort of active service with a re-
solution and fortitude such as to command the an
probation and justify the highest expectation Of
their conduct when active valor shall be required
in place of steady endurance.
A people thus united and resolute cannot SHRINK
from any sacrifice which they may be called on to
| make, nor can there be reasonable doubt of their
final success, however long and severe may be the
test of their determination to maintain their birth.
right of freedom and equality, as trust which il
is their first duty to transmit unblemished to their
| posterity.
Abounteous Providence cheers US with the prom.
| Use of abundant crops.
The fields of grain which will, within a few
weeks, be ready for the sickle, give assurance of
the amplest supply of food, whilst the corn, cot
ton and other staple productions of our soil afford
abundant proof that up to this period the season
has been propitious. We feel that our cause ia just
| and holy. - q
| We protest solemnly, in the face of mankind
that we desire peace at any sacrifice, save that OF
honor.
In independence we seek no conquest, no ag-
grandizement, no concession of any kind from the
States with which we have lately confederated.
All we ask is to be let alone-that those who never
held power over us shall not now attempt our sub
| jugation by arms. This we will we must resist,
| to the direst extremity.
The moment that this pretension is abandoned,
the sword will drop from our grasp, and we shall
be ready to enter into treaties of amity and COM
merce that cannot but be mutually beneficial
So long as this pretenson is maintained with a
firm reliance on that Divine Power which covers
with its protection the just cause we will continue
to struggle for our inherent right to freedom in
dependence and selfgovernment.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Montgomery, April 90 1861.