Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-04-30

W dNcIJ tuIS uhHScI, ~ hppthin W tup
never. failing patriotism which yon have
exhibited since the beginning OF tho war.
The very unfavorable season, the pro-
ttactcd drouths Of last year, reduced the
harvests on which we depend Ear 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 ar.
my. If, through a confidence in al ear
ly peace, which may prove delusve, our
fields should now be devoted to tn, pro-
duction Of cotton and tobacco, instead Of
grain and live stock and other articles
necessary for the subsistence of the peo.
pie and army, the consequences may prove
serious, if not disastrous, especially sho'd
this present season prove as unfavorable
as the last. Your country, therefore, ap-
peals to you to lay aside all thought of
gain, and to devote yourselves to secur-
ing your Liberties, without which these
gains would Ge valueless. 1t is true that
the wheat harvest in the more southern
States which will be gathered next month
promises au abundant yield; but even if
this promise be fulfilled the difficulties of
transportation, enhanced as it has been
by an unusually rainy winter, will cause
cmbarrassments in military operations
and sulferings among the people. should
the crops in the middle and northern por-
lions OF the Conlederacy prove deficient.
But no uneasiness may be felt in regard
to mere supply Of bread for men. 1t is
for the large amount Of corn and forage
required in the raising OF live stock. and
the supplies of the animals used in mill
tary operations, too bulky for distant
transportation; and in them the deicien
cy 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 broadcast for
fodder in immediate proximity to rail
roads, rivers and canals, and let all YOU
efforts be directed to the prompt supply
OF these articles in the districts where ouI
armies are operating. You will thus add
greatly to their efficiency, and furnish the
means without which il is impracticablc
to make those prompt and active move,
ments which have hitherto stricken terror
into our enemies and secured our most
brilliant triumphs.
Having thus placed before you, my
countrymen, the reasons for the call made
on you for aid in supplying the wants ot
the coming year, | add few words o
= appeal in behalf of the brave soldiers now
f confronting your enemies, and to whom
, your government is unable to furnish al
the comforts they so richly merit Tht
, supply of meat for the army is deficient
This deficiency is temporary, for. meas
ures have been adopted which will, it il
S believed, soon enable us to restore thC
Q full rations; but the ration is now redu
r ced at times to one half the usual quaint
ty in some of our armies. 1t is known
that the supply of meat throughout the
country is sufficient for the support Of
all; but the distances are so great, the
condition of tho roads has been so bad
during the five months Of winter weather
/ through which we have Just passed, and
the attempt of groveling spectators tc
forestall the market and make money out
, of the life blood of our defenders have sc
, much influenced the withdrawal from sale
| of the surplus in the hands OF the produ
f GERS, that the government has been una
, BILE to gather full supplies. The Secre
f tary of War has prepared plan, which
, is appended to this address, by the aid o
which, or some simpler means to be adop
| ted by yourselves, you can assist the off
| GERS of the government in the purchase o
the corn, the bacon, the pork, and tn,
r beef known to exist in large quantite,
0 in different parts of the country. Ever
t if the surplus be less than believed, is i
not bitter and humiliating reflection
. that those who remain, secure from hard
4 ship and protected from danger, shoul,
be in the enjoyment of abundance, an,
that their slaves also should have a full
supply of food, while their sons, broth
ers, husbands, and fathers are stinted il
the rations on which their health anG eff
cheney depends.
: Entertaining no lear that you will eli
!. ther misconstruct the motives Of this ad
G dress, or fail to respond to the call @
r patriotism, have placed the facts full
o and frankly before you. Let us all unit
: in the performance of our duty, each i
j. his sphere, and, with concerted, persist
ent and well-directed efforts, there seem
d little reason to doubt that, under tn
l. blessings Of Him to whom we look fc
r guidance and who has been to us on
r shield and strength, we shall maintai
! the soy ereignty and independence of tn
!, Confederate States, and transmit to on
c posterity the heritage bequeathed to us b
!. our fathers.
l. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
= Executive Mansion, April 10, '63.
ii The COuscriptiOu Act.