Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-05-06

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Presidents Message.
TO the Senate and House Of Represcnfa-
tiuss Of the Confederate States Of Am.r-
sea:
You are assembled under circumstances
Of deep interest to your country; and it is
fortunate that, coming. as you do, newly
elected by the people. aud familiar with the
condition Of the various localities. you will
be the better abls to devise measures adap-
ted to meet the wants Of the public service.
Without imposing unnecessary burthens on
tbs citizen. The brief period which has
elapsed since the last adjournment Of Con
gress has not afforded sufficient opportunity
70 test the eficscy Of the most important
laws then enacted, nor have the events oc-
curing ii the interval been such as mate
rally to change the state Of the country.
The unjust war commenced against US.
in violation of the rights of the States. and
III usurpation Of power not delegated to the
Government of the United States, is still
characterized by the barbarian with which
it has heretofore been conducted by the en-
envy. Aged men. helpless women and chill
If en. gppeal il vain to the humanity which
shout be inspired BY their condition, FOR
i'm munity from arrest. incarceration or ban
shmcnt from their homes Plumber aud
devas, alton Of the property Of non-combat-
ants. destruction of private dwellings, and
even Of ediices devoted TO the worship Of
God, expeditions organized for the sole pur.
pose Of sacking cities. consigning them t.
The flames. killing the unarnsd inhabitants
and inAicting horrible outragss on women
aud children, are some Of the constantly re
curing atrocities of the invader. It cannot
reasonably be pretended tEat such acts con-
duce to any end which their authors dare
zyow before the civilized world, md sooner
or later Christendom must mste out to them
the condemnation which such brutality de-
serves. The suffering thus ruthlessly in
ficted upon the people Of the invaded Dis
triets has served but to illustrste their pa
triotism Entire unxnimity and zeal for
theirconntry's cause have been pre- eminent
" sonspi5uous among those whose sacrifices
have been greatest. So the army. which
has borne the trials and dangers Of the war;
which has been subjected to privations aud
appointments. (tests of manly fortituds
far more severe than the brief fatigues aud
perils of actual combat, hss been the CEN
ire Of chcerfulness and hope. Hrom the
camp comes the voice Of the soldier patriots
invoking each who is at home, in the sphere
he best may fill, to devote his whole ener
gies to the support Of q cause, in the success
of which their confidence has never faltered.
They, the veterans Of mGr5 bard fought
field, tsudsr to their country, without limit
of time. 1 service Of priceless value to us.
one which posterisy Will hold in grateful
remembrance.
In considering the state Of the country,
the reflection is naturally suggested that
this is the third Congress of the Confederate
States Of America The Provisional Gov.
erpment was formed, ito Congress held four
sessions. lived its appointed term aud pass
ed away. The permanent Government was
then organized. It's different departments es
tablished, Congress elected which also
held four sessions, served its full constitu-
tipnal term and expired You, the second
Congress-, under the permanent Govern
ment, are now assembled at the time and
p!ace appointed by law for csmmen.eing
your session. All these events have pass
ed into history. notwithstanding tho threat
of ou.!prompt subjuyation. made threeyears
ego, BY people that presume TO assert .
title to govern States whose separate aud
independent sovereignty was recognized by
treaty With France and Greet Britain in the
last century. and remained unquestioued
for nearly three generations. Yet these
very governments, in disregard Of duty and
treaty obligations which bind them to rec
ovnize as independent. Virgins aud other
Confederate States, persist. in countenan
cling, by moral influence, il not .idihg by
unfair and partial action, the claim set up
BY the Executive of q foreign Government,
| to exercise despotic sway over the States
thus recognized, and treat the invasion Of
them by their former limited and spocia
agent, as though it were the attempt Of .
1 sovereign to suppress rebellion against
lawful authority. Ungenerous advantage
I! has been taken Of our preseatcondition. end
our rights have been violated. our, vessels
OF war detained in ports to which they had
! been invited Approximations Of neutrality
aud in one instance our flag also insultee
where the sacred right Of asyltm gas sup
posed TO be secure; while one Of these Gov
ernpents has contented itself by simply Do
] preoating, by dsferantial representations
! The conduct OF our enemy IN the constantly
recurring instances ofhi oontemptuous dis
regard d neutral rights and aagrant viola