Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-12-02
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

UUv HltlNV1 ~ IAHSOAAVHs :
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, =
ss *. Columbus, November 23, 1868. ]
Gentlemen o the Senate and - 5saze
House Of Representatives:
Since your last annual meeting, the enc
my has obtained possession Of Port Hudson,
Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Morris Island,
not, however, without paying dearly for his
possessions; and a sscond time have our
troops evacuated Pennsylvania and Mary
land, though not defeated. There is in this
no cause for dependency. He is this day
relatively weaker than he was before these
events, his armies being widely separated
and further from their bases of supplies,
whilst the Confederacy is relatively stron-
ger, our armies possessing the facilities for
more rapid concentration by interior lines,
and being nearer their bases Of supplies
The great battle of Chickamauga, in which
some of Cardinals noblest sons have fallen,
has illustrated the truth of this proposition.
Beyond the points obtained, he has made
no real progress towards the accomplish:
ment of his purpose-the subjugation Of
the South. Our harvests have been boun-
tiful, our country healthy, and our people
have been rendered, if possible, more uni
ted andsresolyed, by the vandalism of our
foes. The siege of Charleston, now far ad-
vanced into lis fifth month, conducted with
power and range of metal and destruct.
iveness Of projectiles, hitherto unknown. in
warfare, and a, malignity that respects nei'
ther sex, age or condition, has shown to our
enemies that they will probably never place
their unhallowed feet upon the soil Of that
brave old city; but, if they do, it will be
only when they have reduced it to a heap
Of ruins. Sumter, held with o gallantry
and tenacity which will immortalize its
noble defenders, is now in ruins, butts yet
a giant in its powers Of resistance. To the
West of the Mississippi our troops have
gained important advantages. In Tennes-
see the enemy's forces are besieged in Chat
tanooga and driven from Knoxville, and the
army of the Potomac stands ready to give
him another Fredericksburg reception. 1t
behooves us, however, not to relax our ef-
forts. Untiripg energy and perseverance
are essential to success. A bitter and willy
foe watches our every movement, prepared
to take every advantage. Our people have
counted the cost, and have determined upon
independence or annihilation it is ours to
leave nothing undone to secure the object
of this revolution. Never was the remark
more applicable, that the price of liberty is
eternal vigilance. The State Legislatures
have no unimportant part to play in this
great drama. They can aid the Gonfede-
rate Government by assisting in clothing
the troops, in repellipg the raids of our en-
emies, 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
cooperation. -.
The supplying of slave labor for. coast de.
fences has proved perplexing. Our ener-
getic State Agent, whose report is herewith
transmitted, has done all in his power to
enforce your acts on this subject. But the
system has not furnished all the labor which
the pressing emergencies at Charleston re-
quired. The Confederate General felt the
necessity of impressing, in September last,
additional labor to secure the safety of the
city. This action, under tue circumstances
I did not hesitate to approve. 1t would
seem that no system imposing penalties, is
likely to secure equality and success. The
patriotic send their slaves; others will pay,
if the fines are not too heavy, or take the
chances of escape through the courts
Much complaint is made of the mismanage-
ment and treatment of the negroes of their
detention in violation of the contract, and
the law, and that so many citizens furnish
no labor at all. The first complaint, I am
sorry to believe, there is foundation for but
the remedy for the evil is difficult, and
must necessarily rest with the Confederate
authorities. The second, have been given
to understand, arises from the inability of
the State authorities to replace the labor at
the end of the month. The third, is the
result of radical defect in the system it
self. If labor is still to be furnished, and I
have no intimatiou that it will not be need.
ed, ESQ long as the coast is invaded, and
there is need oft, it ought to be furnished, }
the plan which will secure the greatest
equality, in my judgment, is to authorize
the Governor or State Agent, or the Confed-
crate General commanding the department,
if it is preferred, to impress through the
Commissioners of Roads, for two months
service, the equal proportion of every slave
holder owning more than one road hand
My acquaintance, for some years past, with
the organization of these Boards, leads me
to believe that they would fairly and Impair
TALLY discharge the duty, and furnish the
labor promptly. An extension of the time
of service is recommended to lessen the ex-
pense of transportation, and because every
change requires new organization, which
takes, | 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 advertised of it; it is their detention,
contrary to the understanding and their pre-
vious arrangements.
Owing tothe disorgauizatiou of the State