The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-01-23


and protective tariffs.
/ recommend to your earnest attention
the whole report of the Secretary oil the
Treasury on this important subject and
trust that your legislation OH it will be de-
layed no longer than may be required to
enable your wisdom to devise the proper
measures for ensuring the accomplish
ment of the objects proposed.
The operations of the War Department
have been in the main satisfactory. IN
the Report of the Secretary. herewith
submitted, will be found a summary OF
many memorable successes. They are
with Justice ascribed, in large measure,
to the reorganization and reinforcement
of our armies under the operation of the
enactments for CONSUMPTION. The wis
dom and efficacy Of these acts have been
approved by results, and the like spirit of
unity, endurance and selfdevotion in the
people, which has hitherto sustained
their action, must be Eelied on TO assure
their enforcement under the continuing
necessities of our situation. The recon.
mendations of the Secretary to this effect
are tempered by suggestions for their
amelioration, and the subject deserves
the consideration Of Congress. For the
perfection OF our military organization
no appropriate means should he rejected,
and on this subject the opinions OF the
Secretary merit early attention. Its
gratifying to perceive that, under all the
efforts and sacrifices of war, the power,
means sand resources of the Confederacy
for its successful prosecution are increas'
ing. Dependence on foreign supplies is
IL f.t
ticable, be obviated by the development
and employment of internal resources
The peculiar circumstances OF the coun.
try, however, render this difficult, and
require extraordinary announcements
and facilities to be granted by the gov
eminent. The endorsements resulting
from the limited capacity OF the railroads
TO afford transportation, and the lmpos'
sibiity of otherwise commanding and
distributing the necessary supplies for
the armies render the control OF the roads
under some general supervision, and re-
sort to the power Of impressment militia
nv exigencies. While such powers have
to be exercised, they should be guarded
by judicious provisions against perversion
or abuse, and be, as recommended by
the Secretary, under due regulation OF
law.
specially recommend in this connec.
ton some revision of the exemption law
of last session. Serious complaints have
reached me of the inequality of its ope-
ration from eminent and patriotic clti
zens, whose opinions merit great consde-
ration, and trust that some means will
be devised for leaving at home sufficient
local police without making discrimina-
tions, always to be deprecated, between
different classes of our citizens.
Our relations with the Indians general,
" continue TO be friendly. A portion Of
the Cherokee people have assumed an
attitude hostile to the Confederate Gov
eminent; but it is gratifying to he able to
state that the mass of intelligence and
worth in that nation have remained true
and loyal to their treaty engagements
With this exception, there have been no
important instances OF disatfection among
any of the friendly nations and tribes
Dissatisfaction recently manifested itself
among certain portions of them; but
this resulted from misapprehensiOn of
the intentions of the Government in
their behalf. This has been removed
and no further difficulty is anticipated.
The Report of the Secretary OF the
NAVY herewith transmitted exhibits the
progress made in this branch of the pub
lie service since your adjournment, as
we'll as its present condition. The details
embraced in it are Of such nature as to
render it, in my opinion, incompatible
with the public interests that they should
be published with this message. | there
fore confne myself to inviting your at.
tention to the information therein con-
tanned.
The Report of the Postmaster General
shows that during the first postal year
under our Government, terminating on
the 3Oth of June last, our revenues were
in excess of those received by the former
Government in its last postal year, while
the expenses were greatly decreased
There is still, however, a considerable
deficit in the revenues OF the Depart
ment as compared with its expenses, and
although the grants already made from
the general Treasury will suffice to cover
all liabilities to the close OF the fiscal
year, ending on the Both June next, | re-
commend some legislation, if any can be
constitutionally devised, for aiding the
revenues of that Department during the
ensuing fiscal year, in order to avoid too
great reduction of postal facilities
Your attention is also invited to numer.
GUS other improvements in the service
recommended in the report, and for
which legislation is required.
recommend TO the Congress TO devise
a proper mode of relief to those Of our
citizens whose property has been destroy
ed by order of the Government in pursu-
ance of policy adopted as a means of
national defence. II is true that full in
dernnity cannot now be made, but some
measure of relief is due to those patriotic
citizens who have borne private loss for
the public good, whose property in effect
has been taken for public use, though
not directly appropriated.
Our Government, born Of the spirit OF
freedom and of the equality and indie
pendepce of the States could not have
survived a selfish or jealous disposition
making each only careful of its own in
terest or safety. The tate of the Confed.
eracy under the blessing Of Divine Prov
idence depends upon the harmony, ener-
ry and unity of the States. 1t especially
devolyes on you, their representatives, as
far as practicable, to reform abuses, to
correct errors, to cultivate fraternity and
to sustain in the people just confidence
in the Government of their choice. 10
that confidence and to the unity and self.
sacrificing patriotism hitherto displayed
is due the success which has marked the
unequal contest, and has brought our
country into condition at the present
time such as the most sanguine would
not have ventured topredict at the com.
mencement Of our struggle. Our armies
are larger, better disciplined and more
thoroughly armed and equipped than at
any previous period of the war. The en-
nrn,es of a whole naiinn devoted 10 the