The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.

MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.
The Message of President Davis opens with q
view Of the military position of affairs, which 10
described az very satisfactory. The fourth great
army of invasion has been defeated in Virginia,
aud Gen. Burnside has experienced the fate of his
three predecessors-alcDovell, Mcclellan and
Pope In the West, the fortunes of war have
been various. Battles have been Tough. with
fearfa carnage On both sides, but the hopes of the
enemy of any decisive results have been baaled.
On the Atlantic coast the enemy are still confined
to the protecting cover Of their fleets. review
of our history shows that the war has entered it's
third and last stage The first effort IVES to re-
store the Union, and has been abandoned; the
second was TO conquer the South and govern it
as dependency, but This, too has proved impossl-
bic, anil has been abaudoned The third design is
to destroy and plumber what they could not sub
ject. If we continue the efforts in the
first. this design will likewise be defeated, and We
may Confidently expect that this is the closing
year of the The enemy will possess neither
spirit nor resources for continuing it into the next
year extensive scale. We desire peace,
but will continue the war at any sacrifice: until
our right to selfgoverLpcnt, aud TIE sovereignty
and independence Of the States are yindicated aud
established.
Foreign relations are then reviewed. Our right
to recognition i. shown by reference to the past
nized as independent by Great Britain in the trea-
ty of peace of 1888, aud had been previously allies
in war with France. When our Commissioners
demanded recognition, they ware told that foreign
Governments could not decide between cj:fctng
statements made by our Government and that Of
the uited States, in respect to our mutual rela-
tions, and that Europe would simply recognize us
belligercnts, and preserve a strict neutrality.
This apparent refusal to decide was in reality a
! ~, ~
deprived of diplomatic intercourse the same
footing as our enemies.
The question Of the blockade is discussed at
length. Its invalidity is shown, tested by the
principles of the Congress of Paris In 1855, and
the whole conduct Of the utrality Of nations is
summed up, so as to show that they have enforc-
ed all neutral rights that affected US injuriousy,
and rcfrained from asserting those thas would in
jure the United States.
The correspondence between the Courts of
France, Great Britain and Russia is adverted to-
The language Of the French despatch is construed
formal admission Of our ability to maintain
independence, and justi6es the hope of an ear
ly recognition.
The tarbarities committed by Northern troops
referred to, and the action taken in relation to
the atrocities committed by Generals Mcneil, But
Ter and Mroy explained, and the opinion is ex-
pressed that the infamv of their conduct must be
shared by their superiors, who have in one in
stance punished the preparation Of these crimes.
In regard to Lineoln's proclamation he says
detestation is n,pered by profound contemps fer
his inrntent rage. The action of the Govern
mept will be. confined to delivering up all
nissioncd officers hereafter captured in the ten
States named in the proclamation to be tried by
the States under laws which punish those that
cite scrvlle insurrection. The proclamation is
treated as possessing great significance in poti-
Cal point ofv view. 1t proves what were the de-
signs Of the Republican party from the beginning,
notwithstanding their efforts to conceal them by
false declarations.
The proclamation is next considered as a guar
ahtee sg inst the possibility Of .re-construction.
Ii is also treated u confession of inability to
subjugs.e the South which Europe will be bound
to consider jnsifying immediate recognition.
and in,mation to the people of the North
that they must submit to final separation of the
States.
Adequate taxation is recommended; also, the
issue of bonds to be guaranteed by the States
The message, which is the longest yet issued by
the President, embraces comprehensive review
uf the whole internal and external relations Of the
country. 1t is confident, even triumphant, in
tone, and closes with tribute to our women
without whose sublime sacrifice it declares that
our .ueeess would have been impossible.