The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-08-27
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
10 he Seaate and House Of he Con.
fsderate States.

Ii is again cur fortune to meet for devising
measures necessary to the public welfare,
whilst our country is involved in desolat>
ing war. The suferings endured by some
portions OF the people excite the deepest So
licitude of tie Government. and the sympa-
thy thus evoked has been heightened by the
patriotic devotion with which these suffer-
ings have been borne. The gallantry and
good conduct Of our troops, always claiming
the gratitude of the country, have been fur.
ther illustrated on hard fought fields, mark
ed by exhibitions OF individual prowess which
can find but few parallels ii ancient or
modern history. Our army has not ialtered
in any OF the various trials to which it has
been subjected, and the great body Of the
people have continued 10 manifest zeal and
unanimity which not only cheer the battle
stained soldier, but gives assurance to the
friends Of constitutional liberty Of our final
triumph in the pending struggle against
despotic usurpation.
The vast army which threatened the capi.
tai Of the Confederacy has been defeated and
driven from the lines OF investment, and the
enemy. repeatedly foiled in bis efforts for its
capture, is now seeking to raise new armies
on scale such as modern history does not
record to effect that subJugaton Of the South
so often proclaimed as on The eve Of accom-.
plishment.
The perfdy which disregarded rights Sc,
cured by compact, the madness which tram
pied on obligations made sacred by every
consideration Of honor, have been intensified
by the malignity engendered by defeat.
These passions have changed the character
Of the hOs,iiites waged by our enemies. who
are becoming daily less regardful Of the usa
ges Of civilized war aud the dictates Of hu.
manity. Rapine and wantOn destruction Of
private property, war upon non-combatants.
murder Of csptiyes, bloody threats 20 ayenge
the death Of an invading soldiery by the
slaughter OF unarmed citizens, orders Of
against peaceful farmers engag-
ed in the cultivation Of the soil, are some of
the means used by our ruthless invaders TO
enforce the submission Of a free people to
foreign sway. COnfscation bills ofa cliarac-
ter so atrocious as TO ensure, if executed,
the utter ruin Of The entire population Of
these States. are passed by their Congress
and approved by their Executive. The mo-
neyed obligations Of the Confederate Govern
ment are forged by citizens Of the United
States, aud are publicly advertised for sale
in their Cities with a notoriety that suffi-
ciently attests the knowledge Of their Co.
yernment. and its completely in the crime is
frriher eyinced BY the fact that the soldiers
Of the invading armies are found supplied
with large quantities Of these forged notes a.
a means Of despoiling the country people, by
fraud, but Of such portions Of their property
as armed violence may fail TO reach. Two
at least of the Generals Of the United States
are engaged unchecked by their Government,
in exciting seryile insurrection, and in arm
ing and training slaves Tor warfare against
their masters, citizens Of The confedeacy.
Another has been lound Of instincts so brutal
a. 10 invite tie violence Of his soldiery
against the women Of captured city.
Yet the rebuke Of civilized man has failed
10 evoke from the authorities Of the United
States, one mark Of disapprObation Of his
acts; nor - there any reason TO suppose that
the conduct d ,en min r. Butler has failed
70 secure from Government the sanction
and applause RIlh which il is known TO have
been greeted Hv public meetings and por-
tlons Of the press u the United States. To
inquiries made Of the Commander-in.C Chief
Of the armies Of the United States, whether
the atrocious conduct Of some 81 their mill.
tary commandanis met the sanction Of that
Government, answer has been eyaded on the
pretext that the inquiry was insulting; and
no method remains for the repression nl
these enormllies but such retributi,e justice
as Il may be found possible 70 execute.
Retaliation in kind, for many OF them, is
impracticable, for have had occasion TO re-
mark in a former message, that under no ex.
cess Of proyocation could our noble hearted
defenders be driven TO wreak vengeance on
unarmed men, on women, or on children.
But stern and exemplary punishment can and
must be meted out to The murderers and
fclons, who, dsgracing the profession Of
arms. seek 70 make Of public war the occa-
sion for the commission Of the most mon.
slrous crimes.
Deeply as we regret the character Of the
contest into which we are about to be forc-
ed, we must accept il as an alternative which
recent manifestations gives us little hope can
he avoided