Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1863-12-04
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXEcUT1vE DEPARTMENT..

Columbia, November %, 1868.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives:
Since your last annual meeting, ;he on
emy has obtained possession of Port Hud-
son, Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Morris
Island, not, however, without paying dearly
tor his possessions and second time
have orr troops evacuated Pennsylvania
and Marylsnd, though not defeated.
lnere IA III this no cause for despoudency.
He is this day relatively weaker than lie
was before those events, his armies being
widely separated and further from their
bases OF supplies, whilst the Confederacy is
relatively stronger, our armies possessing
the facilities for more rapid concentration
by interior lines, AMI being nearer their
bases Of supplies. The great battle of
Chicka,nanga, in which some OF Carolina's
noblest sons have fallcu, has illustrated the
truth of this proposition. Beyond the
points obtained, he has made no real pro-
gress towards the accomplishment of his
purpose-the subjugation of the South.
Our Earvests have been bountiful, our
country healthy, and our people have been
rendered, if possible, moro united and re-
solved by the vandalism Of our foes. Tho
slego Of Charleston, now far advanced into
Its fifth month, conducted with power
and range of metal and destructiveress of
projectiles, hitherto unknown in warfare,
and malignity that respects neither sex,
age or condition, has shown to our enemies
that they will probably never place their
unhaaowed feet upon the soil of that brave
old city; but, if they do, it will be only
hnp ft,n1, hos
ruins. Sumter, held with gallantry and
tcnacity which will immortaize its noble
defenders, is now in ruins, but is vet a giant
in its powers OF resistence. To the West OF
the Mississippi our troops have gained i'm
portant advantages. In Tennessee the en-
emy's forces are besieged in Chattanooga
aud driven from Knoxville, and the army
of the Potomac stands ready to give him
another Fredericksburg reception. T: be-
toeves us, however, not to relax our efforts
UL. energy and perseverance a,e es-
sential to success. A bitter and willy foe
watches our very movement, prepared 10
take every advantage. Our people have
counted the cost, and have determined up
on independence or annhilation; it is ours
to leave nothing undone to secure the oh.
Ject of this revolution. Never was the re-
mark more applicable, that the price of
liberty is eternal vigilance. The State
Legislatures have no unimportaut part to
play in this great drama. They can aid
the Confederate Government by assisting
in clothing the troops, in repclling the raids
of our enemies, and in feeding the families
OF our soldiers in arms. In all measures
which you in your wisdom may adopt,
looking to the successful issue of this great
struggle, you may, gentlemen, rely upon
my hearty co operation.
The supplying OF slave labor for coast
detences has proved perplexing. Our ell
ergelic State Agent, whosc report is here
with transmitted, has dono all in his power
to enforce your acts on this subject. But
the system has not furnished all the labor
which the pres ing emergencies at Charles.
ton required. The Confederate General
felt the necessity of impressing, in Sep,cm.
Der last, additional labor to secure the
safety OF the city. This action, did not,
under the circumstances, hesitate 10 ap-
prove. 1t woull seem that no system
imposing penalties, is likely to secure
equality and success. The patriotic send
their slaves; Others will pay, if the fine is
not too heavy, or take the chances of es-
cape through tho courts. Much complaint
is made of the mismaragcment and treat
ment OF the negroes; of their detention in
vo':'i"S - the contract and the law, and
that 30 many citizens furnish no labor nj
Al. The Ers. complaiat, am sorry to
believe, there is found alton for; but the
remedy for tho evil is difficult and must
necessarily rest with the Confederate al
thorlties. The second, have been given
to understand, arises from the inability of
the State authorities 10 replace the labor
at the end of the month. The third, is the
result of radical defect in the system
itself. II labor is still to be furnished, and
fhave no intlmation that it will not be
needed, $50 long as tho coast is invaded,
and there is need of it, it ought to be fur
nished, y the plan which Will secure the
greatest equality, in my Judgment, is to
authorize the Governor or State Agent, or
the Confederate General commanding the
department, if it is preferred, to impress
through the Commissioners Of Roads, for
two months service, the equal proportion
OF every stakeholder owning more than one
road hand. My acquaintance for some
years past win the organization of these
Boards, leads me to believe that they
would fairly and impartially discharge the
duty and furnish the labor promptly. An
extension OF the time of service is recon-
mended to lessen the expenses of transpor.
tation. and because every change requires
new organization which takes, 1 learn,
the better part of the first week. Besides.
it is not the time the hands are kept. of
which planters complain, if they are ad-
vIsed Of it; it is their detention, contrary 10
the understanding and their previous ar
engagements.
Owing to the Reorganization Of the State
militia, BY the enforcement of the Conscript
Acts OF Congress up to the age Of forty. five.
1t will require much time to re.organize Il
80 as to make it at all effective, Upon
this subject, ask your attention to the
DFk H.