The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-24
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.
Address of Jefferson Davis to His Fell
low Rebels.

Address of Jefferson Davis to His Fell
low Rebels.
We had by telegraph a portion of the
address of jeff. Davis, to the people of the
South, but the most important part was
omitted, which we now give:
The very unfavorable season, the pro-
tracted drOuths of last year, reduced the
harvests on which we depend, far below
an average yield, and the deficiency was,
unfortunately, still more marked in the
northern part of our confederacy, where
supplies were specially needed for the
army. If, through confidence in an
early peace, which may prove delusive,
our fields should now be devoted to the
production of cotton and tobacco, instead
of grain and live stock and other articles
necessary for the subsistence of the people
and army, the consequences may prove
serious, if not disastrous, especially should
this present season prove as untavOrable as
the last. Your country, therefore, appeals
to you to lay aside all thought of gain, and
to devote yourselves to securing your lib
critics, without which these gains would be
valueless. 1t is true that the wheat har-
vest in the more Southern States which
will be gathered next month promises an
abundant yield; but even if this promise
be fulfilled the difficulties of transporta-
ton, enhanced as it has been by an unus-
ually rainy winter, will cause embarrass-
ments in military operations and sufferings
among the people, should the crop in the
middle and northern portions of the con-
federacy prove deficient. But no uneasy
ness may be felt in regard to mere sup
ply of bread for men. 1t is for the large
amount of corn and forage required in the
raising of live stock, and the supplies ofthe
animals used in military operations, too
bulky for distant transportation: and in
them the deficiency of the last harvest was
mostly felt. Let your fields be devoted
exclusively to the production of corn, oats,
beans, peas, potatoes and other food for
man and beast; let corn be sowed broad
cast for fodder IN immediate proximity to
railroads, rivers and canals, and let all
your efforts be directed to the prompt sup
ply of these articles in the districts where
our armies are operating. You will thus
add greatly to our efficiency, and furnish
the means without which it is impractical
bic to make those prompt and active
movements which have hitherto stricken
terror into our enemies and secured our
most brilliant triumphs.
Having thus placed before you, my coun-
trymen, the reasons for the call made on
you for aid in supplying the wants of the
coming year, | add few words of appeal
in behalf of the brave soldiers now con-
fronting your enemies, and to whom your
government is unable to furnish all the
comforts they SO richly merit. The sup
PLY Of meat for The oy'my is deficient.
This deficiency is only temporary, for
measures have been adopted which will, it
is believed, soon enable us to restore the
full rat:ons; but that ration is now redu-
ced at times to one half the usual quantity
in some of our armies. 1t is known that
the supply of meat throughout the country
is sufficient for the support of all; but che
distances are so great, the condition of the
roads has been so bad during the five
months of winter weather through which
we have just passed, and the attempt OF
grovelling spectators to forestall the mar
ket and make money out of the life-blOOd
of our defenders have so much influenced
the withdrawal from sale OF the surplus
in the hands Of the legitimate producers
that the government has been unable to
gather full supplies. The Secretary Of Wal
has prepared a plan, which is appended to
this address, by the aid of which or some
similar means to be adopted by yourselves
you can assist the officers of the govern
ment in the purchase of the corn, the
bacon, the pork and the beef, known tC
exist in large quantities in different part:
of the country. Even if the surplus be
less than believed, is it not bitter an(
humiliating reflection that those who re
main at home, secure from hardship an(
protected from danger, should be in tn,
enjoyment of abundance, and that thei
slaves should have a full supply of food
while their sons, brothers, husbands an(
fathers are stinted in the rations on which
their health and efficiency depend?
Entertaining no fear that you will eithe
misconstrue the motives of this address, O
fail to respond to the call Of patriotism,
have placed the facts fully and frankly be
fore you. Let us all unite in the perform
ance of our duty, each in his sphere, an,
with concerted, persistent and well direct
ed effort, there seems little reason t.
doubt that, under the blessings of Him
whom we look for guidance and who ha
been to us our shield and strength, W
shall maintain the sovereignty and indie
pendence of the Confederate States, an
trasmit to our posterity the heritage be
queathed to us by our fathers.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, RICHMOND, April 10, 6s
The newspaper reports of HOOKER