Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-01
Presidept,s Message.

President Davis sent in his message to Congress
on Tuesday last. The failure flour Richmond mails
to bring US the message in due time, compes US to
give synopsis, furnished the press by telegraph.
Mr.. Davis says, that late events prove that the
government has attempted to do more than It had
the power to achieve. An attempt to protect our
whole frontier, has resulted in disaster. f.
At the formation Of the Government we were, to
great extent, destitute Of the means to prosecute
the war gigantic scale as that to which 1t has
attained. Workshops and artizans were mainly at
the North, and our first object was the establish
ment Of the necessary manufactures, and in the
mean time to purchase in Europe, as far practica-
BILE, whatever required for the public defence
In April last active military preparations in Europe
interposed many obstacles to the procurement Of
arms. $3.50.
lie says that he has received no official report of
our dscomftures at Roanoke Island and Fort Don
elson. Enough however, is known of the Surrender
Of Roanoke Island 10 make feeldeeply humiliated
however imperfect may have been the means Of de-
fence.
He still entertains the hope that reported loss
at Fort Donelson has been greatly exaggerated,
inaSmuch as he is not only unwilling but unable to
believe that so large army of our people would
surrender withou: desperate effort to cut their way
through the investing forces whatever may have
been their numbers, and endeavor to make juno
ton with the other division of the army. But in
the absence of official report 1t is premature to
pass Judgment In the meantime strenuous efforts
will be made to throw forward reinforcements to our
armies at the positions which are threatened and
cannot doubt says he, that the bitter disappont-
nents which have met with will, by nerving the
people to still greater exertions, speedily secure
results more in accordance with expectations,
and as favorable to as those which marked
the earlier periods of the war. -
He says that the reports of the Secretaries of War
and of the Navy exhibit accumulated resources for
conducting the war, and that notwithstanding the
serious difficulties against which we have had to
contend those resources fully equal to meet our
future wants.
He condemns the policy of short enlistments, and
thinks that 1t has partly contributed to our recent
reverses. When the war broke out the general
opinion was that it would be a short one. Hence
| people were naturally ayerse to long enstments.-
Now that the prospect is that it will probably
tinue through series of years our high spirited and
gallant soldiers, whilst generally reenlistng, are
compelled in many instances to visit their homes in
| order to make arrangements in their families for
their prolonged absence. The quotas of new regi.
ments for the war in all the States in rapid pro-
| greSs of organization. The whole body of new
levies and re enlisted troops will probably be ready
! in thirty days. The number of regiments in the
field is four hundred infantry, with proportional
force Of cavalry and artillery.
Notwithstanding the great difficulties which had
to be encountered the Secretary of the Navy exhibits
satisfactory progress in preparations for the early
competitions of vessels, with regard both TO number
and class, on which may confidently rely for
contestinS the enemy's Wanted control over our
! waters. -s... -.
The financial system which was adopted has
proved adequate to supply all the wants of govern
ment We have no floating debt and the credit Of
! the government il unimpared. =
The total expenditures for the year have been in
| round numbers SlT0, 100000
The report of the Postmaster General shows ar
improving condition in his department 1t will soor
be self sustaining.
The organization of Supreme Court is recon
| mended. --.-.