Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-08-21
Presidents Message.
TO the Ssnate and House of Representatives

volved in desolatng war The sueriDgs by
Government; and the sympathy thus evoked has been
heightened by the patriotic devotion with which these suf
ferugs has been borne,
The gaantry and good conduct of our troops, always
claiming the gratitude of The country have been further IL
lutraed hardough fields marked by exhibitions OF in
d7dua proves which cannd but few parallels in ancient
Our has not aered in anv of the various trials to
which has been subjected and the great body of the peo
pie has continued to manifest zeal and uDanimy which
rot only cheer the batte-staned soldier but give
to the friends of liberty of final
triumph in the pending struggle against despCc usurpa
ton.
The army which threatened the Capital of the Con-
ederacy has been defeated and driven from the lines of in
vestm Mt and the enemy repeatedly ID his tor
slch modern history does to effect that
CATION OF the South often as on the eve OF &C
The pe1fdy which dsregarded rights secured by COM
pact, the maduess which trampled on obligations MADE
sacred by every consideration of honor have been neDs
fed by the aignty engendered by defeat These pas
sOns have changed the character of the hoes waged
the usages of civilized and the dictates of humanity
Rapne and wanton destruction of private property war
upon murd OF capves, bloody threats
to avenge eeath of invading sodiery by the augh
of unarmed czegs orders Punishment against PEACE
full fam les engaged in the cultivation of the SOIL are some
means used by ruthless Invaders to eDor the
submission OF free people 10 toreian sway Conhscalon
bills of character atrocous to executed,
the utter 1uiu OF the entire popua ion of these States,
passed By their Congress and approved by their Execu
tive.
The moneyed obligations OF the Confederate Government
forged by citizens of the United States, and publicly
sufficiently ttess the knowledge or their ano
its completely in the crime is further evnced by the fact
that the soldiers of the invading srmes found supplied
with large quantities OF these forged notes OF
despoilg the country people by fraud out OF such or
tors of their property armed violence may fail to reach
Two least of the Generals of the United States
eaged unchecked by their Government, exciting se1Ve
Instruction and in aiming and training slaves for warfare
their masters citizens of the Confederacy Another
has been found of Instincts brutal to invite the V0
lence OF his sodery against tie women of captured CITY,
YET the reDuke OF civilized man has failed to evoke from
the authorities Of the United States mark OF disappro
bation of his acts there any suppose that
the conduct of Benjamin F. But has failed to secure from
his Government the sanction and applause with which 1t
known TO have been greeted by public meetings and pOr
tons of the Of tue United States. To inquiries made
of the COMMANDMENT, Chief Of ii armies Of the United
Sates whether the atrocious conduct of of their mil
tay COMMANDMENTS met the sanction OF that government
answer has been eVaded on tie pretezt that the 1nqy
insulting and method remains for tie repression
of these enomiies but such etbuVe justice as it be
found possible to execute.
Retaliation in kind for many of them il impraccable.
for have had occasion to remark in former message,
that under of provocaton could noble
men, women, children But stern and exemplary
punish ent can ard must be meed out to The
and feons who dsgsacg the profession Of arms, seek
make OF pubic war the occasion fer the commission OF the
most mOnstrOus crimes.
Deeply we regret the character of the contest
which about to be forced. must accept it
which recent manifestations give US little hope
can be avoided
The evaporation of failure aroused the pas
sions of enemies large portion CT their people,
lace to the extreme of erociy and nothing remains tut
to Vindicate rights and to maintain existence by
poyg against foe energy and at
| our disp SAL -
Iappend your Information copy q the papers
hbing the action of the Government up the present
time tor the repression of the optrages committed
people Other measures now in progress will be submitted
La inviting your attention the legislation which the
ceBaites of condition qure with the
prosecution OF the war command undivided attention
The acts passed at your last session intended to secure the
public defence by al enrolment and to render uni
the rules governing troops the service had led to
unexpected criticism that much to be regretted
The efficiency Of the law has been thus somewhat impair
ed though is not believed that any cf The States the
popular mind has withheld its sanction from the
cessy or proprlety of your legislation 1t is only ny har
monous well as Jealous action that Government
as ours ushered Into existence on the very eve OF great
war and upprovlded with the material necessary for
Quoting hostiites vast scale, fulfil its duties.
Upon YOU who are fully informed Of the acts and purposes
OF the Government, and thoroughly mbued tn the feel
and sentiments of The people, must reliance by placed
to secure great object You best dev the means
tor establishing tn entire cooperation of the State and
Confederate Governments which essential the well
being of both at all tines but which indispensable
to their very existence.
an legislation shall seem to you appropriate for
adjusting ferences of opinion, it will be my pleasure
we'll duty to cooperate any that may he de-
vised for recouclng just for the public defence with
proper Difference for the most scupuOus susceptibility OF
the State authorit les.
The report of the Secretary Treasury will exhibit
in detail The operations of that department It will be
with satisfaction that the credit Of the Government securi
ties remains unimpared and that this credit fully justi
fed by the comparatiyelv small amount of accumulated
dent notwithstanding the magnitude OF our military opera
tiOns.
The legislation of the last session provided for the
chase ct supplies with the bonds of the Government
tie perseverance OF the people Treasury has been
so marked that legislation recommended TO authorize
increase in the issue of Treasury notes. which the public
service seems to require.
No grave Inconvenience need be appreciated from this
Increased issue, As the provision OF law by which those
notes converta lie into eight cent bonds forms
efficient and permanent safeguard aganet any serious de-
probation of the currency.
Your is also invited the prop sed by
the Secretary for tang the preparation of these notes
people to state, that the manufacture Of counterfeit
exists within our limits aid that they all ported from
the Northern States.
he report Of the Secretary War, which submitted
contains suggestions for the legislation deemed
desirable in order to add the efficiency service
Invite your favorable consideration especially
recommendations which intended to the proper
execution Of the Conscrpt Law and the consolidation
companies, battaons and regiments when reduced in
strength impair that uniformity organization which
is necessary in the army while undue burthen imposed
on the treasury The necessity for legislation for
trolling military transportation the railroads. and i'm.
proving their present defective condition forces tss
the attention of the Government and trust you will be
able TO devise satisfactory measures for attaining this
pose
The legislation on the subject of general officers involves
the in difficulties which pointed out by the
Secretary and for which the remedy suggested by him
seems appropriate.
In connection with this subject, of opinion that pru-
dence dictates some provision for the increase of the
IN the event OF emergencies not anticipated The
large increase of forces recently called into the field by the
President of the United States, may render necessary
eater to extend the provisions of the CoDscrpt law
as TO perg0ns between the ages of thirty five and
iory'hVe years The vlgor and efficiency Of present
forces their condition. and the skill and ability which dis
tngush their leaders, inspire the belief that further
roment will be necessary But wise foresight requires
that necessity should be suddenly developed during the
recess of Congress requiring increased forces for
renee means should exist for calling such forces into the
field without awaiting the assembling the legislative
department of the Government
In election and appon ment of officers for the provi
sonal army it to be anticipated mistakes would
be made and incompetent officers of all grades introduced
into the service IN the absence of experience ard with
no reliable guide for selection Executive appointments
well elections have been sometimes unfortunate. The
good OF me service the interests of our country require
hn