The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-05-03
MEETING oF coHsREss.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
GENATE.-The Senate met yesterday, at IL
O'Clock NJ, Mr.. Hunter, of Virginia, in the
chair. The proceedings were opened with
PRAYER by the Rev. DR.. Burrows, of the Bap
tist Church. The roll being called sixteen
Senators responded to their names.
The credentials of Messrs. Richard W.
Walker Of Ala, John W. G. Watson Of Miss,
aud VIM. A. Graham OF N. G., newly elected
Senators, were duly presented, and those
gentlemen took the oath of Office. The
credentials Of Messrs. r. w johnson, Of
Ark, and James NJ. Baker, of Fla, Senators
reelected, being presented, also took the
oath of Office Mr.. Simms, of Ky, reap
pointed, also took the oath Of Office.
The Senate then proceeded to organize
Mr.. X. NJ. I. Hunter, Of Va, was reelected
President pro tenn, he receiving IS votes, Mir
Brown 3. and Mr. Orr1 Mr. Jas II Nash was
reelected Secretary Of the Senate, receiving
IS out of 20 votes cast.
On motion Of Mr. Henry, of Tenn, the old
incumbents OF tho offices OF Sergeant-at-
Arms and first and second DOorkeepers,
were declared reelected
On motion OF Mr. Orr, It was oidered that
hereafter the Senate hold its sessions in the
Senate chamber of the Virginia Legislatn nre.
On motion OF Mr.. Orr, A wes ordered that
hereafter, until otherwise ordered, the Sen
ate meet ut 12 o'clock N.
On motion OF Mr. johnson, Of Ark, IL
was ordered that the Senate elect the stand
ing committees at halfpast twelve o'clock
to-day.
Ga motion of Mr.. johnson, a committee
OF three was appointed To wait on the Presi-
dent OF the Confederate States and inform
him that a quorum Of the two Houses Of
Congress had assembled, and were ready to
receive any message he might desire to corn.
munieate. Messrs. johnson Of Arkansas,
Semmes OF La, and Brown Of Miss, were
appointed the committee, who waited On
the President, and, returning, announced
that he W ould presently communicate with
Congress by written message. In 4 few
moments the following message was received
and read:
70 the Senate and Hoass Of Representatives. of the
Confederate States Of america;
You are assembled under circumstances of deep
interest to your country; and IL is fortunate thai,
coming, rs y0n TO, newly elected by the people,
and familiar with the condi ion of the various 10
ca!itcs. you will be the better able devise meas
ures adapted TO meet the wants Of the public ser
vice, without imposing unnecessary tur,lcns on
the citizen. The brief period which has elapsed
since the last adjournment of Congress has not af
forded sufficient opportunity TO lest the efficacy OF
the most important laws Then enacted, nor have
the events Occurring in the interval been such IA
materially to change the state cfihe county.
The unjust war commenced against Tie, in yicla-
ton of the rights Of the States, and In usu,patiou
of power not delegated to the Government, of the
United States is sill characterized by the arbar
I'm with which it has heretofore been conducted
by the enemy. aged men, helpless women ard
children, apPsa al In vain 10 the humanity which
shoud be inspired by their condition, for immunity
from arrest, Incarceration or banshmant from their
homes. PIunder and devastation of the property
!ngs and even of edifices devoted 10 the worship
Of God, expeditions orga0.zed Tor the sole pur-
pose OF sacktng cities, coHsigGing them TO The
1omcs, killing the uharmed inhabitants and ir-
dieting horrible Outrages on women and chilsren,
Ire some of the constantly recurring atrocities
,f the invader. 1t cannot reasonably be pre-
ended that such ats cOnduce to any eEd which
heir authors dare avOW before the civilized
world, and sooner or later Chrstendom must nete
lui to them the condemnation which such brutal
ty deserves. The suffesings thus ruthIessIy in
ieted upon the people of the invaded dis tricts ha
erved but to illustrate their patriotism. Entire unan
nifty and zeal for their cOuntry's cause has been
conspicuous among those whose
acrihces have been greatest. SO the army which
las borne the trials aud dangers OF the war; which
las Deen subjected TO pfivaI0as aud Gisappoint-
nc ents. (tests of manly fOrtiude far more sever.
han the hriefiaigues and periis OF actual combat
las been the centre of cheeIfulness and hope
from the camp comes the Vc:cs Of the soldier NJ,
riots iavokng each who is at home, in the sphere
le best may fill, TO devote his whole energies 10
he support Of cause in the success of which the
confidence has never taliered. They, The veterans
# many 4 hard fought field, tender to their coun-
~. without limit of time, of priceless
a'ue TO US, one which poste,.y will hold in CRATE
al remembrance
In considering the state Of the county. the re.
lection is naturally suggested, that this is The third
Congress- of the confederate States of America. |
rhe Provisional Government was formed, It's Con-
ress held four sessions, lived Its appointed term
nd passed away: The permanent Government
vas then Orga Iised Its different Departments esta
lished, a Congress elected which also held four /
essiOns, served Its full constitutional term and ex
ired. You, the second Congress- under the ger |
1auent Government, are now assembled at the !
me and place appointed by law for commencing i
our session. All these events have passed iu,0 |
istory, notwithstanding the threat Of prompt |
made three years ago, by people that ,
resume to assert title 10 govern States whose |
parate and independent sovereignty was recOs- |
ised ty treaty with France and Great Britain In the
lst century, and remained unqnasiinned for nearly
hr. g generations. Yet these very governments i'm
isresafd OF duty and treaty obligations which bind
hem to recognise as independent, Virginia aud |
her Confederate States, persist In ncountenancing,
y moral influence, IL not in aiding BY unfair and |
aria action, the claim set up by the Executive Of
foreign Government, to exercise despotic sway
'ser the states tbus recognized, and al the nya
ion of them by their former limited and special
gent as though IL were the attempt of q sovereign
o suppress rebellion against lawful authority o.
Jneencrous advantage has been taken OF our pres
I'll.
'ur vessels of-~ar detained In p0rts 10 which tey
lad been invited by proc'amatfons of neutrality
md In instance, our flag also insulted where tHe
acred right Of asylum was supposed TO be securr
While Ofth.se Governments has contented itself
With simply deprecatins by deteren,a, representa- |
ions the conduct Of our enemy In the constantly
occurring Instances OF his cOntemptUous disregard |
t neutral rights and fagrant violations Of public |
iw. I. may be that foreign GnvernEents like |
ur enemies, have mistaken desire for peace !
nreservediy expressed for evidence Of exhaustiop,
nd have thence inferred the probability Of success
the effort to snbjusate or cxterminste The Iaii-
0ns of human beings who, In these States, pretrr
nv fSte TO submission II their savage assai. |
ats see no prospect Of an early chanqe in the !
Ourse heretofore parsued by these Governments;
ut when this deiusion shall have been dispr!ted,
nd when our independence, by the valor and fng;i
lie Of our people, shall have been won agains:
Il the hostile Influences combined against US, and
IN no longer lie icnered by open foes or professed
eutrais this wa. will have left with Its proud
e nories record Of many wrongs. which il may
ot misbecome US 10 forgIve-s0me for which we
ay not properly forbear from demanding redress.
l the meantime 1t Ii enough for Us TO know that |
very avenue Of negotiation IL eiosed against us
at our enemy is making renewed and strenuous
Forts for our destruction, and that the sole re
fnf fs.ns sarcGS