Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-23
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brought Us 30 near the close Of the year that we
are now able to up its general results and the
retrospect is such should FIJI the hearts Of our
people with gTaHt1de % Providence for his kind
interposltion in their behalf Abundant yields have
rewarded the labor of the agrieulturist whilst the
was never 50 prosperous as now The necessities
Of the times have called into existence new branch
es Of manufactures and given fresh impulse to
the actiyity of those heretofore in operation. The
mears of the Confederate Sts1es for manufacturing
the necessities and comforts Of life within them
selves increase as the conflict Continues, and we
are gradually becoming independent OF the rest of
tho world for the supply OF such store and NUM-
tons as are indispensable for war
The operation Of the army soon % be partially
interrupted by the approaching winter, have affords
ed professional to the country and shed ustre upon
its arms through the trying Vicissitudes Of more
than one arduous campaign, which entities cur
brave volunteers to our praise and our gratitude.
From its commencement up to the present period
the war has been constantly enlsrging its proper
tons and expanding its boundaries to include
new fields, until the conflict extends from the
shores of the Chesapeake to the confines Of Mis-
souri, and Arizona. The sudden calls from the re-
motest points for military aid have been met with
promptness enough not only to avert disaster in the
face of superior numbers but also to roll back the
tide of invasion from the border where the war
/ commenced. The enemy were possessed Of certain
strategic points and strong places within the Con-
in available resources and in the supplies necessary
for war their military establishments had been
long organized, and were complete in the Navy and
War Departments; also the most part Of the army,
once ours in common, were both in their possess
sion To meet all this we had 10 create not only
an army in the face of war ITSELF but also the mills
tary establishments necessary TO equip and place
in the field. 1t ought, indeed, to be subject Of
graduation that the spirit of the volunteers and the
patriotism of the people have enabled US, under
D.
culhes resulting in q succession Of glorious victo-
ries at Bethel, Bull Run, Manassas, Springfield, Lex
ington, Leesburg and Belmont, which have checked
tbs wicked invasion, which greed Of gain and the
unhalloWed lust of power brought upon our SOIL
and have proved that numbers cease to avail when
directed against people fighting for the sacred
right Of sefgovernment and the privileges OF free
men.
After more than seven months Of war, the enemy
have not only failed to extend their occupation of our
SOIL but new States and territories have been added
to our Confederacy while instead Of their threat
ened marching in on conquest they have been driven
to assume the defensive, and, upon fair eOmpari>
son between the two belligerents, the Confederate
States are relatively much stronger now than when
the struggle commenced. Since your adjournment
the people of Missouri have conducted the war in
the face Of almost unparalleled difficulties with
spirit and success alike worthy of themselves and
of the great cause in which they are struggling.
Since that time Kentucky, too, has become the thea
y
not only refused to acknowledge her rights to neu
trality in the war, but have invaded her for the
purpose of attacking the Confederate States. Dat
RACES Of the most despotc character have been per
! petrsted upon her people; some OF her most emil
nent citizens have been seized and borne away to
| anguish in foreign prisons without knowing who
were their aeeusers, or the specific charges made
against them while others have been forced to
abandon their homes, families and property, and
seek refuge in distant lands Finding the Confed-
I CfaFnc ar tnh Ia
lucky and that the people, after being deceived INTO
mistaken security, were unarmed and in danger Of
being subJugsted by the Federal forces our armies
were srehed into that State to repe the enemy and
prevent their occupation of certain strategic points
which would have given them great advantages in
the contest, q step which justified not only by
the necessities of defence the part Of the Confed
crate States but also BY desire to aid the people
of Kentucky.
1t was never intended by the Confederate Gov
eminent to conquer or coerce the people Of that
State but on the contrary it was declared By our
Generals that they would withdraw their troops if
the FederaI Government would DO likewise. Pro-
clamation was also made of the desire to respect
the neutrality Of Kentucky and tie intention to abide
by the wishes Of her people as soon as they were
free to express their opinion. These declarations
were approved by me, and should regard It IS one
of the best effects Of the march of troops into
Kentucky if it should end in giving TO her people
liberty Of choice aud free opportunity to decide
their own destiny according to their own viii.
The army has beeachIefy instrumental in prose-
cutting the great contest in which we are engaged
but the navy has also been effective in full proper
ton to its meSns. The naval officers deprived to
great extent Of an opportunity to make their pros
fessonal skill available at sea, have served with
commendable zeal and gallantry on shore and upon
the inland waters further detail Of which will be
found 10 the report of the Secretary of War.
In the transportation of the mails, many difficult
ties have arisen which will be found fully develops
ed IN the report Of the Postmaster General. The
absorption Of the ordinary of transportation
for the movement of troops and military supplies
the insuffcieney of the rolling stock Of railroads for
the accommodation OF busnrsS resulting both from
military operations and the obstruction of water
communication, the presence of the enemy's feet,
the failure and refusal Of contractors to
ply with the terms Of their agreements, the Difficult
ties inherent in inaugurating vast and complicated
system that which requires postal facilities for
every town and village in territory so extended
as ours have all combined to impede the best di-
rected efforts Of the Postmaster General, whose
ZEAL industry and ability have been taxed to the
utmost extent. Some of these difficulties can only
be overcome by time and the improved condition Of
the country, and by the restoration Of peace; but
others may be remedied by legislation, and your
attention is invited to the recommendation con-
tanned in the reports Of the head Of that depart
ment.
The condition of the Treasury will doubtless be
a subject Of anxious inquiry on your part am
happy to say that the financial system already
adopted has worked well 80 far, and promises good
results for the future. To the extent that Treasu
~ notes may be issued the Government Is enabled
to borrow money without interest, and thus fscili.
tate the conduct of the war. Tins extent is meas
ured by the portion of the field Of circulation which
these notes can be made to occupy. The proper
ton of the fit Ii thus occupied depends again upon
the amount Of the debts for which they are receiv-
able not only TO the Confederate and State Govern
ments, but also to corporations and individuals. Ere
payable in this medium q large amount of it may
be circulated at par, there is every reason to be-
heve but the Confederate Treasury note is fast be-
coming such medium. The provision that these
notes shall be convertible into Confederate stock
bearing per cent interest," at the pleasure of the
holder, ensures them against depreciation below
the value of that stock land no considerable fall of
this value need be feared 80 long as the interest
shall be punctuslly paid. The punetual payment
Of this interest has been secured by the act pass
ed BY You at the last session imposing such
rate Of taxation as must provide sufficient means
for that purpose and for the successful prosecution
Of this var
1t is q pt nsabIe that the means Of transporting
troops and military supplies be furnished as far as
DOssrhla in suoh m amor a. moi intprruDt the