Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-03
Pres,dens,s Message.
TIE COUNTRY CALLS FOR SOLDIERS.

TIE COUNTRY CALLS FOR SOLDIERS.
The following Message from the President was COM
municated on Friday to Congress
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, March 28th 1862
To the Senate and House of kep esestatives of the Con-
federate StGtes:
The operation OF the various laws now in force for
raising armies has exhibited the necessity for reform
The frequent changes and amendments which have been
made have rendered the system SO complicated IS TO
make 1t often quite difficult to derernine bat the law
really is, and to what extent prior enacments mod
fgd by more recent legislation.
here Is also embarrassment from conflict between
State and Confederate legislation: | happy to as
you Of the entire harmony OF purpose aud cOrdal
ty of feeling which have continued exist between
myself and the Executives OF the several States and it
is to this cause that success in keeping adequate
forces in the field is to be attributed.
These reasons would suffice for irqting your earnest
attention to the necessity Of simple and general
system for exercising the power of raising armies which
is vested in the Congress by the Constitution. But
there is another and more important consideration
The vast preparations made by the enemy for a
bined assault at Humorous points our frontier and
coast have produced result nat might have been
expected They have animated the people with spirit
of resistance general so eSnute and so slEgacrcng
that requires rather to be regulated than to be smua
ed. TIE right o. the State to demand, and the duty
each citizen to reuder, military service, need
only to be stated 10 be admitted. Il is
not, however, wise judic.cus policy 10
people which experience has shown to be cessary as
reserve. Youths under the age Of eighteen years
quire further lnstructOD-men OF mature experience
needed for maintaining order and good government
at home and IN supervising preparations for rendering
efficient the armies in the field These two classes con-
stute the proper for home defence ready to be
called out in case OF emergency aud to be Kept in the
field only when the emergency exists. Bat, order to
maintain this intact, 1t Is necessary great
war like that ia which we are engaged all persons
of ri olivya
should pay their debt of military service to the country
that the burdens should lot fall exclusively On the most
ardent and patriotic
l. therefore, recommend the passage oil law declaring
tCat all persons residing within the Coined rate States,
bet the ages of eighteen and thirty five years. and
righuly subject to military duty, shall be held 10 be
in the military service OF the Confederate States, and
that plain and simple method be adopted for their
prompt enrolment and organization, repeating all the
legislation heretofore enacted which would couhict with
the system propose. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Gen. 1gcCiIIans address Army tIIe To
HIQRs ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
FAIRFAX COURT House. VA.
March IA, 1862.
Soldiers of the Il my oftte Potomac.
For long time have kept you inactive, but not
without purpose. You were to be disciplined, armed
and instructed. The formidable artillery you have
had to be created. Other armies TO and ac-
cOmpIish certain results. | have held you back that
you might give the death blow 10 the rebellion that has
distracted cur once happy country. The patience you
have shown and your confidence in your General are
worth dozen victories.
These preliminary results are now accomplished
feel that the ab0rs OF many months have produced their
fruit. The army OF the Potomac Is now real army
magnificent in material admirable in discipline and in
structon excelently equipped and armed ard your
mandars are all that | could wish. The moment fn
action has arrived aud know that | trust 10 you
to save our country. AS | ride through your ranks
see in your faces the presage OF yjct0ryI fee
that you will do whatever ask of y0u.
The period of inaction has passed will bring yet
now face to face with the Rebels, anu only pray thai
! God may defend the right
In whatever direction you may move, however strang
my actions may appear to y0u ever bear in mind tina
my fate is linked with yours and that all do is t.
! bring you where l know you wish to ba-oI
place you there | AN TO watch over you IS a paren
over his children and you know that your Genera
loves you from the depth Of his heart. l. shall
be my aim, it has 0een to gain success with tn
least possible loss; but [ know that il it IS necessar
you will willingly follow to graves Tor our right
eOus cause.
God smiles upon Us, victory attends US yet wouI
not have you think that aim is TO be attained with
out manly struggle. will not disguise itftom you
you have brave foes to encounter-tOemen we'll worth
of the steel you will so well.
l shall demaLd of you great and heroic exeTtoE
rapid and long marches desperate combatS and pryt
tons. Perhaps we will share all these together an
: when this sad war is over, we will all 10 GU
homes and feel that ask no higher honor tina
the proud consciousness that belonged to the Arm
of the Potomac
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
! Major general Commanding.
= LET NOT HIM WHO PUTTETH ARM9R BOAST HIl
e SELF WHO LAYETH IT ASIDE Eng.
0 From BELow-It is reported that large number
land Rod ARE