New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-03-17
A GOOD LAW,
We believe the following is a correct copy of the
most important law which has yet been adopted
by the Congress- Of the GOnelerAte States:

We believe the following is a correct copy of the
most important law which has yet been adopted
by the Congress Of the Confederate States:
SECTION |. The Congress Of The Confederate
5Stdtes of america do enact, That the military au-
thortes OF the army are hereby authorized and
directed to destroy cotton, tobacco, military stores,
or other property of any kind whatsoever, which
may aid the enemy in the prosecution of the war,
when necessary to prevent the same, or any part
thereof from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Sec. O. Be further enacted, That the owners OF
property destroyed under the operation Of this act.
as well as those persons who shall voluntarily
destroy their property to prevent the same from
failing into the hands of the enemy, hereby au
thorZed to perpetuate testimony of such destvuc-
ton, in the manner prescribed by an act OF the
Provisional Congress, entitled ian act to perpetu-
ate testimony in Cases of slaves abducted or har-
bored by the enemy, and of other property seized,
wasted or destroyed by them," approved Both An-
gust, 1881 ; and such owners and persons shall be
entitled to indemnify out of tho property seques-
tered and contscated under the laws OF the Con
federate States in such manner as Congress may
hereafter provide.
Ia the heading we have pronounced the above a
good law. tits good one, but it does not amount
to either desperation or recklessness. On the con
trary, it is the embodiment Of prudent cool calcn'
latimg policy-in fact, of farsceng statesmanship.
Our enemies are fighting to subjugate U.S. not to re-
store the old Union, or the star-spangled banner
or anything of the sort, but to pcrpetuate if posi-
BILE, their ancient monopoly of our great staples
from which they derived most of their wealth and
consequence. This is what they are lighting for
Let them know that the present crop OF cotton vii
be destroyed--that it never shall be allowed to fa
into their hands under any circumstances what
ever, and that no cotton, except for domestic con
sumption, will be raised hereafter, and they vii
soon cease prosecuting o blooay and costly war
which, if there was the remotest possibility Of heii
being successful, which there is not would be
bound to be barren of results. Without her great
staples, the South is not worth expending muci
blood and treasure to conquer even if it was writ
ten down-in the book Of destiny that her people
could be conquered.
~ We hope our military authorities in the respect
i've departments, will zee that the above law is cx
ecuted i'll letter and spirit. Let them look to uul
river valleys with especial attention We do no
wish to see any second Moacows, as they are no
necessary for our protection: : but We do desire te
witness the destruction, ntter and complete, of oul
great staples, sooner than permit them to fall into
the possession and relouud to the advantage o
ruthless foes. Let this example be set, and bene
fetal results will be sure to follow
MARTIAL LAw.--rhe proclamation Of martha
law on Saturday last, by Mai0r-General Lowell
was well received by our citizens, and has beer
productive of good results. Indeed, many wlIt
were at first opposed to such stringent measure
now acknowledge its happy effects, and are per
fecsly satisfied. The appointment of Messrs. VIM
Freret, CFprien DutouT, Pierre Sou't and Herr.
L. Ogden. as Provost MarshaEs for the city, fully
meets the expectations Of the community, and uni
versal satisfaction il the consequence Genera
Lowell could not have made better selections
The gentlemen named enjoy the fall confidence o
the good people of New Orleans in all respects
and they will discharge their duties faithfully, ably
and patrotically.