Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-05-10

The rcv.nues Of this department one collected
aud dsbursed in motles peculiar To ITSELF and
required special bureau to secure n proper
accountability In the administration ofits fnan-
ceS.
l call your attention to the additional legis-
lation required for this Department, to the re-
comrnendatinn for the changes in the law fixing
the rates OF postage on newspapers, period
icnla, and sealed packages of certain kinds. and
specially to the recommendation OF thc Secre-
tarv. in which concur, that you provide nj
once Tor the assumption 10y him Of the control
of our entire postal service.
In the military organization OF the Sta ties
provision is made for brigaiier aud mnjor.gen-
erals hut in the army OF tho Confederate States
the highest grade is that "f bri,adier general.
Hence it will no doubt sometimes occur that
where troops of the Confederacv do duty with
the militia. the general selected for the COM
mant. and possessed of the views and purposes
Of this government will he superseded by all
officer Of the militia not having the same ad.
| vantages. To avoid this contingency in the
! least Objectionable mnnner, 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
ar nv of the Confcderucy. l recommend that
the law of this organization be amended, so
! That the grade be that of general.
To secure through military education. it is
deemed essential that officers should enter upon
the study OF their profession at an early period
of life. and have elementary instruction i'll n
military school Until such sch"o! shall be es
thlishrd, il is recommended that cadets he np
| pointed and attached To companies until they
! shal. have attained the nge and have acquired
the ledge to fit them for the duties OF lieu
! tenants
also call your attention TO an omission in
the law organizing the army, in relation to
! military chnplains, and recommend that FRO
vision be made for their appointment
In conclusion, 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 Confedcracy, in company with
others who control lines of communication
| with States that we hope soon to greet IA sis
tiers, assembled in Convention in this city, and
not only reduced largely the rates heretofore
| demanded for mail service. and conveyance of
troops and munitions but voluntarily proffercd
to receive their compensation at these reduced
rates in the bonds Of the Cnefedcracy, for the
purpose Of leaving all the resources Of the
Government at its disposal for the common de
fence Requisitions for troops have been met
with such nlacrity that the numbers rendering
exceeded the demand. Men Of the highest of
fetal social position are serving as volunteers
in the ranks. The gravity of age aud the zeal
of youth rival each other in the desire to be
foremost for the public defence, and though al
no other point than the one heretofore noticed
have they been stimulated by the excitement
incident to actual engagement. and the hope o
distinction for individual nchievrment they
have borne what for troops is tho mos
severe ordeal, patient toll and constant vigil
, and MI the exposure and disc omtnrt Of active
service, with resolu ion and fortItnde such al
to command appreciation and justify the high
est expectation of their conduct when active
yol0r Shnll he reunIrpU in Ilace Of Steudy n
durance.
people thus united and resolved cnnno
shrink from any sacrifice which they may bt
called IN 10 make, nor can there be q reason
able doubt Of their final success however lonl
) aud severe may be the test Of their determine
,, tion to maintain their birth right of freedom
and equality, as trust which it is their frs
duty to transmit, uIdiminished to their pos
terity.
A bonnteous Prov ilence cheers us with tn
promise Of abundant crops. The fields O
grain, which will, within few weeks be read
for the sickle. give assurance of the ampIes
supply of food for man whilst the corn, cot,
ton. and other staple prod :clions Of our soil
afford abundant proof that up to this perios
the season has been propitious.
We feel that our cnuse is just and holy; w
protest solemnly in the face Of mankind tha
We desire peace Mt any sacrifice, save that o
honor and independence; we seek conque.
no aggrnndisemeRt, no concession Of any kin,
from the States with which we were Intel,
confedcrated; all we ask is to he let alone
that those who never held power over US
= shall not now attempt our suhjugation by nrms
This we will, this we must resist to the dires
extremity.
The moment that this preten.ion is aban
doned the sword will drop from our grasp, AM
We shall be ready to enter into treaties of ami
ty and commerce that cannot but be mutual
beneficial. So long as this pretension is main
tanned, with firm reliance on that Dvin
Power which covers with its protection the jus
cause, we will continue to struggle for our in
, dependence and self-government
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
MONTGOMERY, April 20, 1861.
From, the Rome (Ga.) Southerner.1