New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-17
AN ADDRESS BY JEFF. DAVIS.

He IL Proud Of the Success Achieved by the
RebeIs-His Army Larger and better
than Ever-short Crops md Short Com
mons in the Copfederacy-Corn n,pst be
Planted instead of Cotton and Tobacco
Urgent Request for IA Larger supply
OF Meat Groveling Spectators "
| Denounced.
ADDRESS OF Jeff. DAVIS TO THE CONFEDERATE
| Ia compliance with the request of Congress con'
tanned in the resolutions lrNquosdDg The President
20 issue address passed on the fourth day OF the
present month"; invoke your attention 10 the pres
ent condition and future prospects Of country
and to the duties which patriotism imposes all
during this great struggle for our homes and our
liberties.
Fully concurring in the views thus expressed by
Congress confidently appeal TO your love Of coun.
try for aid in carrying into effect the recommends
tions Of your Senators and Representatives. We
rave reached the close OF the second year Of the
war, and may point with just pride TO the history Of
our young Copfederacy. Alone, unaided we have
met and oyerthrown the most formidable combine
tiops Of naval and military ornaments that the lust
of conquest gathered together for the con-
quest Of free people. We began this struggle
without single gun afost, while the resources Of
our enemy enabled them TO gather fleets which,
according to their official ist published in August
last, consisted of 437 vessels, measuring $40, 086
tuns and carrying 026 guns, yet we have captured
sunk or destroyed number OF these vessels, includ
ing two large frigates and one steam sloopofw war,
while four Of her captured steam gunboats are now
in our possession, adding TO the strength OF our lit
tie navy, which is rapidly gaining in numbers and
efficiency.
To oppose invading forces composed Of levies
which have already exceeded thirteen hundred thou
sand men, we had no resources but the unconquer-
able valor Of people determined to be free; aud we
were so destitute Of military supplies that tens Of
rain anti aSd
admission into the service from our inability TO fur
nish them arms while for many months the contlnu-
alton of some Of strOngholds owed their safety
chiefly to careful concealment OF the fact that We
were without supply Of powder for our cannon.
Your devotion and patriotism have triumphed
over ali these obstacles, and called into
existence the munitions of war, the clothing
and the subsistence, which have enabled our sol
dlers 70 illustrate their vslor on numerous battle
helds and 10 inhict crushing defeats on successive
armes each Of which our arrogant foe fondly
imagined 10 be invincible. The contrast between
our past and present condition Ia well calculated to
inspire full confidence in the triumph Of our arms.
At no previous period Of the war have our forces
been 30 numerous, 90 we'll organlzed, and 30
thoroughly disciplined, armed, aud equipped, Ga al
present. The season OF high water, on which our
enemies relied 10 enable their fleets Of gunboats 10
penetrate into our country and devastate cor homes
is fast passing away; yet our strongholds on the
Mississippi still bid defiance TO the foe, and months
of costly PREPARATIONS for their reduction have been
spent in vain. Disaster has been the result Of their
every effort 10 turn or storm Vicksburg and Port
Hudson, az well us every attack on our batteries
on the Red River, the Tallahatchie and other navi
gable streams. Within few weeks the failing
waters and the Increasing heats Of Summer will COM
uIete their discontinue and compel their baied aud
defeated forces 10 the abandonment Of expeditions
on which was based their Chief hope Of successes In
tilecIing our sublugation.
We must not forget, however, that the war is not
yet ended aud that we are still confronted by pow
eriul arnes and threatened by numerous fleets, and
that the Government that controls those fleets and
armies is driven " the most desperate effort to effect
the unholy purpose in which it has thus far been de-
feated II will use its utmost energy TO avert this
impending doom, 20 fully merited by the atrocities 1t
has committed, the savage barbarlies which 1t hss
encouraged and tie GROWING attempt TO excite
tervie population TO the massacre OF our wives our
daughters, and our helpless children. With such
contest before there ia but danger which the
Government Of your choice regards with appTehen-
blohi and 10 avert this danger IL appeals 10 the
hever-islling patriotism and spirit which you have
eAnlplteu since the beginning Of the war.
AUG very uhiaVorabie season, the protracted
orouhs Vi lasl year, reduced the harvests which
we oepeho lar below an average yield and the def
cheney was, unfortunately still more marked in the
northern part Of our Confedsracy. where supplies
were specially needed for the army. II through a
confidence IN an early peace, which NAV proye de- ,
lusive, our fields should now be devoted 10 The pro
ducton Of cotton and tobacco instead of grain and
live stock and other articles necessary for The snb
,istepeo Of the people and srmy, the consequences