Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-20
agssAGE FRoz TIE PRESIDENT
Frcossyelenf .sraIy 0ssoers.

The following message, from the President
was laid beiore Congress on wednesday;
To the Senate and House OF Representatives Of the Con
federste States
"The near approach Of the day fixed for your
adjournment induces me to renew Certsin recon-
mendelions made at the commencement Of the
session, and fer which legislation has nOt yet
provided. The subject Of the efficiency Of the
army ia one Of paramount importance, snd the
letter Of tho Secretary Of WsT, herewith sub
mitted, has been elected BY correspondence with
the generals Of our gTn2ies in the field, whose
practical experiences Of the evils resulting from
the defects in our present system, entities their
opinion 10 greet weight
"An army without discipline and instruction
cannot be relied on fer purposes Of defense, still
less for operations IN an enem5's country. 1t
Is in vain TO add men and munitions, unles5 We
can, at the same time, give to the aggregated
mass the character sod capacity Of soldiers. The
discipline sGd instruction required for It's eff
eisncy cannot be impaired without com pelsnt
othe5rs. No power now exists by law for secuT-
ing such ofieer8 70 FL vacancies vhsn elections
and promotions fail to accomplish the object
Extreme cases ought not TO furnish a rule.
yes some provisions should be made tu meet
evils even eLosptiOlst IN 8 matter so visa.ly az
fsctiDg the safety Of cur troops. Tender consid-
sratiOn for worthless and Incompetent officers is
but smother name for cruelty toward the brave
men who fall sacrifices TO these defects Of their
leaders. It is not difficult 70 devise a proper
mode of Obviating this evil. Ths law author
iEss the refusal to promote cficeTs who are found
incompetent to fill vacancies and ths promotion
Of their lual0r5 IN their stead, but instances
occur in which no Cfhcsr remaining IN & regi-
ment is 1T to be promo ed to the grade Of col
Onel, and on officer remaining in a company Is
r071 "a ant ~ rr-s
ton providing for the selection in such esse Of
compsteut cticsrs from other regiments Of TIE
same Stale, aff5rds rssdy remedy for the evil
as well - for ths case where oficsr5 elected are
found uDht for the positions 20 @hich they may
Be chosen. This selection can be made in such
manner ss msy seem to Congress most advisa-
ole b1t this or some other remedy Is indispensa-
bic for filing numerous vacancies now existing
While this deficiency Of Compatenr officers
exists IN some cases, tRsre is a large excess 10
others. Numerous regiments aud companies
have been SO reduced by the casulties Of war,
by sickness and other causes, IS to be c0upara-
lively useless under the present Organization.
There are companies in ths army, in which the
number Of ofhosr5 exceeds ihet of Drivates pres
snt for dsty, and regiments 10 which the mum
Der OF such priTAtes does not szcsed that which
Is required for single effective company.
The cost Of supporting the army already a
very hs1FI DGlIoa OF bAs Te8e euTeeS o. tEa cDQn-
~, is isas iasIeAss1 10 an sxtTavsRAas extent /
Bus thB is Of secondary iEPoEtancs, compared /
Wiih the iHsEeisocy which results nom shIs
eOBdiHOu Of taisgS. Some legislation which
shall provide for she consolidation Of oompsnies
and regiments whsn thus reduced in numbers, 1
and when cOnscIip.s cannot be obtained from e
State IN sufficient numbers for filing the ranks
Is Of pressing necessity, sud a deep sense Of
duty impsls me 30 repeat thas no consideration I
for jhe officers who may be unf0rtusiatsiy de- /
PrIVsd Of commands OuRhs or c4n safely be peg- /
mittsd 70 0bsirucl this ss,Utsry reform
''It nay be proper 20 remark that the necsssi- /
y foT this consolidation. and thsconspquent dis
charging Of tTisd and msrit0rious ufiesr., viii /
obviously be increased By al legiIstivs action /.
permitting new Organisations TO be formed Of /
msn who, by the provisions Of the oouscIipl |
la", were directed 70 be Incorporated inso exist
I1g companies and Iegimsuts
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Executive Office, Richmond, Oct. 8, 1861"