The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-03-05
The Presidents Message.

FEBRUARY 23.-ln Congress, to-day, the
Presidents Message was read. The follow
ing is an abstract Of its mnin points:
lie says that since the delivery Of the
last Message, events had demonstrated that
the Government had attempted more than
II had the power successfully to achieve
Hence, in an effort to project our whole
territory, seaboard and inland, we have been
so exposed as recently to encounter serious
disasters. At the formation of the Govern
ment we were, TO n great extent, destitute
OF means for the prosecution Of the war
attained
Workshops and artisans nre mainly found
in the North, and one Of the first objects
OF tie war was the establishment Of ncce,
sary manufactures and meantime to pur.
chase in Europe, a. far as Praciicabe what
ever was required for the public defence.
In April last, nc,ive military operations i n
Europe interpos"d many obstacles in tho
way Of the procurement Of arms.
The President says that he has no official
reports Of the disasters at Roanoke Island
or Fort Donelson but enough was kno
Of the surrender Of Roanoke TO make US
feel deeply Inundated, however imperfect
may have been the means of defence.
The hope was sill entertained that our re
ported loss at Fort Donelson has been
greatly exaggerated. lnasmuch as We are
not only unwilling, but unable, to believe
that large army oc our people would sur.
render without a desperate effort to Gu.
their way through the investing force.
whatever may be their number, and endeav-
or to make "A junction with the other divis.
ions Of the army. But in the absence Of
the official reports, it would be premature
to pass judgment In the meantime, siren
nous efforts are being made to forward re.
inforcemrnts to our armies at the positions
bitter disappointment We have borne, by
nerving onr people to still greater exertion.,
will speedily secure results more accordant
with our just expectation, and rs favorable
to our cause as those which marked the
earlier periods Of tho war lie SAYS that
the Reports Of the Secretaries Of War AMI
Of the Navy exhibit that our resources for
the conduct Of war accumulated, n ot
withdrawing the serious difficulties against
which We have commended, ara fully equal
to meet future wants. lie condemn. the
nF hn list,n
that it partly contributed 10 the recent re-
verses. When the war broke out. the gen.
eral opinion was that the people were nat
urally averse to long enlistments. Now, rs
the war would probably con,inns through
several years, our high spirited and gallant
soldiers, while generally re .cnlsting, are
compelled, in many instances, TO go home
70 make arrangements for their families
during their prolonged absence. Quotas
OF new regiments for the war, in all the
States, are in rapid process Of organization.
The whole body Of new levies and re.e
listed men will probably be ready in thirty
drys. The number Of regiments in the
held is 400 OF infantry, with proportionate
force OF cavalry and artillery. Notwith-
standing the great difficulties encountered,
the report Of the Secretary Of the Navy
exhibits satisfactory progress in the prcpara
ton and early completion Of numbers of
vessels Of class on which we nay conf
IDENTIFY rely for contesting the vaun,ed con-
troll Of the enemy over our waters.
The financial system adopted had proved
adequate TO supply nj the wants OF the
Government, which had no floating debt
The credit OF the Government was uuim.
paired. The total expenses for the year,
in round numbers, were $40 100000
The President says that the report Of
the Postmaster General shows an improved
condition Of his Department. which will
soon bo sslfsustaining. lie also recon.
mends the organization Of the Supreme
Court.
- =
CONGRESSIONAL