Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1861-05-21

they nave no means OF support, and by the
secession Of these States have been deprived
Eof their claims against the. governmentof the
United States. | Recommend The appropFia-
tioH Of the sum necessary to pay these pen
sloneIs as well as those Of the amy, whose
CLAIMS can scarcely exceed seventy thousand
dollars per annun.
The Postmaster General has already sue
ceeded in organizing his department to such
degree as to bes in readiness. to assume the
direction of postal affairs. on the occurrence
Of The. contingency contemplated by The Act
LOT 18th March 1861, OF even sooner, il desired
BY Congress. The various books and cifcu,
lars have been prepared and measures taken
to secure supplies Of bEanBs, postage stamps
stamped envelopes. mail bags, locks keys etc.
He presents detailed classification aud ar
<aBgement of his clerical force and asks for
its increase An alr'i|rf of the treasury for
this deparf1l1t|' safy and flan is sub
mitsed ioI = IL afion Of his bureau,-
The great number and magnitude Of the &c
qObnisof this department, require anfHcrease
'cf the clerical force 81 the accounting branch
of the Treasury The revenues of this de-
partment are collected and disbursed il modes
peculiar 10 itself, and require a special bu-
real to secure proper accountability IN the
administration Of It's finances.
/ call your attention to the additional legis,,
lation required for this department. to there
icofnmendatiun for changes in the law fixing
the rates Of postage on newspapers, period
Gals, and sealed packages of certain kinds nd
specially 10 the recnmmendatio Of the Sec
Rotary, in which, concur, that you,should pro-
yideFat once for the assumption Nv him ofthe
control Of our entire postal serviee.
In tbemiiitary ofganizatio Of the Ssates,
provision Isl made for Brigadier and Major
Generals, but in the army Of the Confederate
States the highest grade isthatof Brigadier.
General Hence it will no doubt sometimes
occufthat where troops Of the confedeTacy
do duty with the militia, the Genera selected
for the coinmand and possessed of the views
and purposes Of this government, will be SUI
perseded by an officer of the MALTA not hav-
ing the same advantage. To avoid this con-
tingency the least objectional manner, Ire
commend that the additional rank be given to
the General Of the Confederate Army, and
concutring in the policy Of having but one
grade Of Generals ia the Armyfo Of the Con-
federecy, recommend that The law of itysor-
ganization be amended, so thai the grade be
that Of General. n Ia
To secure a thorough military education IT.
is deemed essential tina 2oficers should enter
upon the study Of their pre- iessionat an early
period Of life; and have Observation-Disclosures
in milifaty school, Untilsueh school shall
be established, it's recommended that cadets
be appointed and attached to companiesssniil
they shall haze attained The age and acqnired
the knowledge to fit them for the duties Of
Lieuienants.
Ishan call your attention 20 an omission in
the law organizing the army, in rela ton To-
mi Htary chaplans, and recommend that pro-
vision be made for their appointment,
In conclusion, congratulate YOU on
the fact that in every portion of our coun-t
try there has been exhibited the most patriotic
devotion to our cause, Transportation com
panies have freely rendered the use of Their
hnt for troops and supplies. The Presidents
OF the railroads of the Confedefacy, in COM
pany with Others who control lines of com
municatfon with sister States that we hope
soon to greet as sisters, assembled in
convention in this city, and not only re-
duced largely the rate heretofore demanded
for mail service and conveyance Of troops and
munitions, but voluntarily proffered to receive
their compensation at these reduced Tafes IN
the bonds Of The Confederacy. for the puf-
pose Of leaving all the resources Of the Cow
eminent atits disposal for the common de-
fence, ReQnisitions for troops have been met
with such alacriiy that the numbers rendering
their services have, in every instance, great
ly exceeded the demand Men ofEthe highest
official and social position ATE serving as vol
unteels in the,fanks. The gravity Of age and
the Zeal ofyouth rival each otherin the de-
sire TO be foremost for the public defence !;
and though at no other point than the one
heretofore noticed have they been stimulated
by the excitement incident 10 actual engage
ment, and the hope Of distinction for indi7@
yidual achievement, they have borne what
for new troops is the most severe ordeal, pa
uent toll and constant vigil, and all the ext
posuTe and dis otufort Of aetualService, with
a resolution and fortitude such as to command
and justify the highest expecta
ton oftheir conduct when active Yalor Shall
be required in place Of steady endurance.
people thus united and resolved cannot
shrink from any sacrifice which they way be
called on to make, nor can there be a reas-
enable doubt Of their mil success, however
long and sey ere may be the test f4heiT deter
to maintain theirbirth-rlgh hit of free
dom and equality, as trust which it is thsirs
Afst duty TO transr Id md = = Il An !.
posteEjjt6Hhleoas providence cheers US with the
promise ofabundant crops. The fields OF grain
which will within a few weeks be ready for the
icskle, give assurance Of the amplest supply Of
Of food for man whilst corn, cotton, and
other staple productions Of our soil afford
abund int ptoof thatup to this period the sea-
son has been propitious.
We feel that our cause is just and holy
we protest solemnfy in the face Of man.
kind that we desire peace at any sacrifice
save that of honor and Independence;
we seek no conquest, no aggrandizment,
no concessions Of any kindfrDm the States
with which we were sately cenfeder-
ated all we ask is to be let alone; That those,
who never held power over us shall not nov
attempt our subjugstion by arms This we
will, this we must, resist to the dtrest extern
ity.
The moment that this pretension is abandon
ed, the sword will drop from our grasp, and
we shall be ready to enter into tfeaties ofami-
ty and COMMERCE that cannot but be mutually
beneficial So long as this pretensicn is main
tanned, with firm reliance on the DiEfRe-
Power which covers with IFS protection the
just cause, We viii continue to struggle for
our inherent right to freedom, Independence
and self government.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
MexTeoMEaY, April 20 1861.
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