Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-04-21

POidtO cuOIbS W cuGCG GQ0 uQlOly purposes III
which 1t has thus far been defeated. 1t will ust
its utmost energy to avert the impending doom
so fully merited by the atrocities it has commit.
ted, the savage barbarties which it has encour.
aged, and the crowning infamy of it's attempt to
excite servile population to the massacre OF
our wives our daughters, and Our helpless chill
dren.
With such contest before us there is but one
danger which the Government of your choice re-
CARDS with apprehension. and to avert this dan
ger 1t appeals TO the never falling patriotism and
spirit of self-sacrifice which you have exhibited
| since the beginning of the war. The very ugfa-
vorabe season, the protracted droughts of last
year, reduced the harvests on which Y e depend
ed far below an average yield, and the deficiency
was unfortunately still more marked in the Nor
! thern portion of the Com iederacy where SUPPLIES
were specially needed for-the army II. through
a confidence in early peace, which NAV prove de.
| luslve, our fields should be now devoted to the
production of cotton and tobacco, instead OF
grain and live Stock and other articles necessary
| Tor the subsistence of the people and the army,
the consequence may prove serious if not disas.
trous, especially should the present season prove
as unfavorable as the last. Your country, there
fore, appeals to you to lay aside all thought of
gain, and to devote yourselves to securing your
liberties, without which those gains would be
valueless. 1t is true that the wheat harvest
In the more Southern States which will Re gath
cred next month promises an abundant yield
but even if this promise be fulfilled, tie difficulty
OF transportation, enhanced as it has been by an
unusually rainy winter, will cause embarrass-
ments in military operations and suffering among
the people should the crops in the middle and
Northern portions of the Confederacy prove de-
hclent. But no uneasineSS need be felt in regard
to mere supply of bread for man. 1t is for the
large amount of corn and forage required for the
raising of live stock, and for the supply of the
animals used in military operations that your aid
is specially required. These articles are too
bulky for distant transportation, and in them the
deficiency in the last harvest was most felt. Let
your fields be devoted exclusively to the produc-
tlon OF corn, oats, beans, peas, potatoes, and
other food for man and beast. Let corn be Sown
broad cast for fodder, in immediate proximity to |
railroads, rivers and canals, and let all your eff
forts be directed to the prompt supply of these
articles In the districts where our armies are op-
Grating. You will thus add greatly to their eff
cheney, and furnish the means without which it |
is lmpractlcable to make those prompt and ac
tive movements which have hitherto stricken ter
ror into our enemies, and secured our most bril-
liant trlumphs.
Having thus placed before you,. my country
men, the reasons for the call made on you for
ald IN supplying the wants of the coming year I
l add few words of appeal in behalf of the
brave soldiers now confronting 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 army is deficient.
This deficiency is only temporary, for meas
ures have been adopted which will, it is be-
leved, soon enable US to restore the full ration
But that ration is now reduced at times to one
half the usual quantities in some Of our arm ;es
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
the roads has been so bad during the five months
of winter weather through which we have just
passed, and the attempts Of grovellng specuIa-
tors fOreStall the market and mako opf
of the ife-biood Of our defenders, have so much
influenced the withdrawal from sale of the sur |
plus in the hands of the producers that the Gov
ernment has been unable to gather full supplies.
The Secretary of War has prepared plan which
is appended to this address, by the aid of which,
or some similar means to be adopted by your
selves, you assist the officers of the Govern
ment In the purchase OF the bacon, the pork and
the beef, known to exist in large quantities in
different parts of the country. Even if the sur.
plus be less than is believed, is it not bitter
and humiliating reflection that those who remain
at home, secure from hardship and protected
from danger, shonld he in the enjoyment of fabun-
dance, and that their slaves also should have
fui! supply Of food, while their sons brothers,
husbands and fathers stinted in the rationS
on which their health and efficiency depend?
Entertaining no fear that you viii either mis-
conStrue the motives of this address, or fail to
resi- ond to the call of patriotism, have placed
the facts fully and frankly before you. Let US
all unite In the performance of our duty, each in
his sphere and ;. with concerted, persistent and
well directed effort there seems little reason to
doubt that uader the blessings of Him to whom
We look for guldance and who has been to Us
oni shield and our strength, we shall maintain
the sovereignty and Independence of these Con-
federate States, and transmit to our posterity the
heritage bequeathed to US by our fathers.
(Signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Richmond, April 10, 1868.