Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-04-22
Address TO the People of the Confederate States

try, and to the duties which patfiotsm ImPooes Vs.
US all during this great struggle for our homes anu
our liberties.
These resolutions are in the following language:
JoIsr RESOLUTION RELATING TO TEE PRODUCTION OF
PROVISIONS
WHEREAS q strong impression prevails through
the country that the war now being waged against
the people of the Confederate States may terminate
during the present year; and whereas, this im-
preston is leading many patriotic citizens to en-
pae largely IN the production of cotton and tobac
CO. which they would not otherwise do and where.
as, in the opinion of Congress it is Of the utmost
importance not only with o view to the proPe,
subsistence of our armies but for the interest ana
welfare of all the people, that the agricultural eoor
of the country should be employed chiefly IN the
production Of supply Of food to meet every con-
tingency therefore
Resoised, By the Congress Of the Confederate
States of Amsrica, That it is the deliberate Judg
ment Of Congress thas the people of these States
while hoping for peace, should look TO prolongea
war as the only condition profered by the enemy
short of subjugation; that every preparation nee
essary to-encounter such war should be persisted
in, and that the amplest supply OF provisions Tor
armies and people should be the first object of all
agriculturists; wherefore, it is earnestly recon-
mended that the people, instead Of planting cotton
and tobacco, shall direct their agricultural labor
malsly to the production Of such crops as will in
sure suficency of food for all classes end for eV-
err emergency thereby, with true patriotism, sub
ordnating the hope of gain to the certain good OF
the country.
SEC. O. That the President is hereby requested
to issue proclamation to the people Of these States
urging upon them the necessity Of guarding against
the great perils of short crop of provisions, and
setting forth such reasons therefor as his judgment
may dictate.
Fully concurring in the views thus expressed by
the Congress, I confidently appeal to your love OF
country for aid in carrying into effect the recon-
mendations of rour Senators ard Representatives.
We have reached the close Of the second year OF
the war, and may point with just pride to the his
tory of our young Confederacy. Alone, unaded,
VIC have net and overthrown the most formidable
combination of naval and military ornaments that
the lust Of conquest gathered together for the
subjugation of u free people. We began this strug-
gle without single gun ahoat, while the resources
Of our enemy enabled them to gather fleets, which,
according to their official list, published in August
last, consisted of 427 vessels, measuring 34u,O36
tons. and carrying 3,26S guns. Yet We have cap
tured, sunk, or destroyed number OF those YES
sels, including two large frigates and one steam
sloopof war, while four Of their captured stean-sun
boats are now in our possession, adding to the
strength of our little navy, which is rapidly gaming
in numbers and efficiency. 10 oppose invading
forces, composed Of levles which have already ex-
ceeded thirteen hundred thousand men, We had no
resources bu: the unconqnerable yalor OF people
determined to be free; AID We were so destitute of
military supplies that tens If thousands OF our cit
liens were reluctantly refused admission into the
service from inability to provide them with
arms while for many months some of our inp0r
tant strongholds owed their safety chiefly to care
ful conceament Of the fact that We were without D
supply of powder for our cannon. Your devoti>p
and patriotism have triumphed over all these OBJ
staces, and called into existence the munitions of
war, the clothing, and the subsistence which have
enabled our soldiers to illustrate their valor on n-
merous battle-feds and infict crushing defeats on
successive armies, each of which an arrogant foe
fondly imagined to be invincible.
The eorsrast between our past and present con-
diton is well calculated to inspire full confidence in
the triumph Of our arms. At no previous period
of the war have our forces been so numerous, so
we'll organized, and 80 thoroughly disciplined. arm
ed and equipped, Us at present The season OF high
water, on which our enemy relied to enable their
fleets Of gunboats to penetrate into our country,
and devastate our homes, is fast passing away
Yet strongholds on the Mississippi still bid de-
fanse to the foe, and months Of costly preparations
for their reduction have been spent in vain. Disas
ter has been the result of their every effort to
or to storm Nicksburg and Port Hudson, as we'll as
Of every attack on batteries on the Red river,
the Tallahatuaie and other navigable streams
Withia few weeks the falling waters and the in
tieatS Vi SuulncT VIII complete uelr us.
com6ture, and compel their batfied and defeated
forces to the abandonment Of expeditions OH which
were based their chief hopes sf success in efectng
our Sublugation.
We must not forget, however, that the war is
not yet ended, and that arc Still confronted by
powerful! armies and threatened by numerous fees
and that The government which Cor: rolls these fleets
and armies Is driven to the most desperate efforts
to effect the unholy purposes in which it has THUG
r., hn,o l.fn .tnl Ia
to avert the impending doom, so fully merited by
the atrocities it has committed, the savage barbar-
tiles which it has encouraged, and the browning
'lIiamy OF its attempt 10 excite serve population
to thu. massacre OF our wives, our daughters and
our helpless children
| With such contest before us there is but one
danger which the government Of your choice re-.
CARDS with apprehension, and to avert this danger
tappeals to the never-fa,lins patriotism and spirit
OF sell sacrifice which you have exhibited since the
| beginning Of the war. The very unfayorabe sea
son, the protracted droughts Of last year. reduced
the harVests on which we depended far below an
average YIELD and the deficiency was unfortunately
still more marked in the northern portion of the
Confederacy, where supplies were specially needed
for the army. If, through a confidence in early
peace, which may prove deiusive, our fields should
be, now devoted to. the production of cotton and
tobacco instead OF grain and live stock and other
Aso0o'y SuS SulSlSleACS OF the 0eODIe
and the army, the consequence may prove ser,ons
if not disastrous, especially should the present sea-
son prove as unfavorable as the last Your country
therefore, appeals to you to lay aside all thought
Of gain, and to devote yourselves to securing you,
Liberties, without which those gains would be
valueess 1t is true that the wheat harvest IN IN,
more southern States which will be gathered next
month promises an abundant yield: but even 4
this promise be fulfilled. the difficulty of transport
alton, enhanced as it has been by an unusuall,
rainy winter will Cause embarrassments in m,tar,
operations and suffering among the people shout?
the crops in the middle and northern portions o
the Confederacy prove deficient But no uneasines
need be felt in regard 10 mere supply of bread 70
man. 1t is for the large amount of corn and ferar
required for the raising Of live stock, and for tn
supply Of the animals used IN military onerat;on
>ihat your and is specially required These article
are too bulky tor distant transportation and in Their
the deficiency ii the Last harvest was most fel
LIE: your fields be devoted exclusively to the ORC
nrfrn nf.n