Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-11-27
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

suits. The retrospect Is such as sho1ld INF tha beorIs
kind nP5erbposit G ian IL st .ha 10 FFoEldenee for His
nave rewarded the labor Of the agriculturist. while the
never 30 prosperous as now. The necesetties OF ths
times have called into existence new branches of man
ufacturles, and given a fresh impulse to the activity OF
those heretofore in operation. The means of the Con.
federate states for manufacturing the necessities and
comforts OF life within themselves, increase "a the
conflict continues, and we are gradually BECOMING in
dependent of the rest of the world for the supply of
s ho military stores and munitions as are indispensi-
The operations of the army. soon to be partially in.
terrupted by the approaching winter. have Afforded a
protectlon to the country, and shed a lustre upon its
arms through the yicissitudes of more than one ar
daous campaign. which entitle our brave volunteers
10 our praise and our gratitude.
From us commencement up to the present period,
ding its boundaries, so as to include new fields. The
conillct now extends from the shores of the Chesapeake
to the confines of Missouri and Arizonia vet. sudden
calls from the remotest 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.
When the war commenced, the enemy were posses
sed of certain stragetic points and strong places
within the Confederate States. They greatly exceed
ed rs In numbers, in available resources. and in the
supplies necessary for war. Military Establishments
had been long organized, and were complete the ma.
Wy, and for the most part, the army, once commonto
Doth, were IN their possession. To meet all this, we
had to create not only an army in the face of war itself,
but also the military establishments necessary to equip
subject of graduation that the spirit ofthe volunteers
and the patriotism of the people have enabled us, un-
der Providence to grapple successfully with these diff
f%culties. A succession of glorious victories at Bethel,
Bull Run, Manassas. Springfield, Lexington. Leesbuig
and Belmont, has checked the wicked invasion which
greed of gain and the unhallowed Inst Of power
brought upon our soil, and has proven that numbers
cease to avail when directed against a people fighting
for the sacred right of self government and the privi-
leges of freemen. After more than seven months of
war, the enemy have not only failed to extend their
occupancy of our soil, but new States and Territories
have been added to our Confederacy, while, instead of
theirthreatened march of conquest, they have been
driven to assume the defensive; and. upon a fair COM
rarison between the two belligerents as to men, mill
tary means, and financial condition, 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 unparal-
leled difficulties, with a spirit and success, alike wor-
thy of themselves and of the great cause in which
they are struggling. Since that time, Kentucky, too,
has become the theatre of active hostilities. The
Federal forces nave not only refused to acknowledge
her a party to the war, but have invaded her for the
of the most despotic character haze been perpetrated
upon her people some of her most eminent citizens
nave n Dse II se 1zitpo and I poTne away away TO ianguisn III Tor
or the specific charges made against them, while 9TH
ers have been forced to abandon their homes, families,
and property, and seek a refuge in distant lands.
Finding that the Confederate States were about to
be invaded through Kentucky, and that her people, af
ter being deceived into mistaken security, were I'M
armed, and in danger of being subjugated by the Fed
eral forces, our armies We're marched into that State
TO repel the enemy and prevent their occupation o
certain stragetic points which would have given then
justified, not only by the necessities of self-defenc.
on the part Of the Confederate States, but also, by
intended by the Confederate GovernniSent to conquer o
coerce the people OF that State but, ON the contrary
II was ace deGI4 treda by g our tE G4 HnasIs, that they would ldn WITH =
likewise. Proclamation was also make of the desir
to respect the neutrality of Kentucky, and the inten
tion TO abide by the wishes of her people as soon a
they were free to express their opinions.
These declarations were approved by me, and shoul
regard it as one of the best effects of the march of on
troops into Kentucky if it should end in giving to he
people liberty Of choice and a free opportunity to d.
eide their own destiny accordingt to their own will.
The army has been instrumental in prosecuting tn
great contest in which we are engaged; but the Ma
Wv hQG NJ hnnn fncti in fnl on IN If
means. The naval officers, deprivedto a great exter
of an opportunity to make their professional ski
available at sea, have served with comHendable yet
and gallantry on shore and upon inland waters, fin
ther de'> (which will be found in the reports of II
Secret"I41 s or the Navy and War.
In the transportation of the mails many ~dificultlt
have arisen which VIII be found fully developed
the report of the Postmaster General. The Absorb
ton of the ordinary means Of transportation for Il
movements of troops and military supplies, the il
suficiency of the rolling stock of railroads for the a
emulation OF business resulting both from militia
operations, and the obstruction of water commune
tion by the presence of the enemy's fleet: the failu
and even refusal of contractors to comply with I
terms of their agreements: the difficulties inhere
in inaugurating so vast and complicated a system
that which requires posta! facilities for every tov
and village in a territory so extended as ours, ha
combined to impede the best directed efforts of t
Postmaster General, whose zeal, industry and abili
have been taxed to the utmost extent. Some ofthe
difficulties can only be overcome by time and an IL
proved condition of the country by the restoration
peace, but others may be remedied by legislatiC
and your attention is invited by the recommcndati
contained in the report of the head OF that depai
Hent.
The condition of the Treasury will, doubtless be
subject of anxious enquiry on your part. l am ha
ply TO say that the financial system already adopt
has worked. well so far, and promises good resu
for the future. To the extent that Treasury not
may be issued. the Government is enabled to BORE
money without interest, and thus facilitate the co
duct of the war. This extent is measured by
portion of the field OF circulation which these no
can be made to occupy. The proportion OF the fl
thus occupied depends again upon the amount of
debts FOR which they are receivable; and when du
not only to the Confederate and State government
but also to corporations and individuals, are paya
in this medium, a large amount of it may be circu
ted Mt par. There is every reason to believe that
Confederate Treasury note is fast becoming sucl
medium. The provision that these notes shall
convertible into Confederate stock, bearing eight
cent. interest. at the pleasure of the holder, ensu
them against a depreciation below the value of Z
stock. and no considerable fall in that value need
frarad so long AS the interest shall be punctua
paid. The punctual payment Of this interest has b.
. cared by the act passed. by you at the last sessi
inpGsing such a rate of taxation as must prov
sufficient means for that purpose.
For the successful prosecution of this war, it is
diSpepsable that the means of transporting tro
and military supplies be furnished, as far as posi-
in such manner as not TO interrupt the commercial
tercourse between our people, or place a check