The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-15

Presidents MEssAGE.--We publish, in full
tho Message of President Davis to the Confederat.
Congress. OF course it will be read by all who arc
interested in the affairs of the Confederacy.
The President reiterates the disposition of the
Government Cor peace, but thinks that it would be
folly to attempt further negotiations unless invited
by the enemy. We do not entirely agree with the
President on this point. We think Commissioners
ouobt to be appointed and the Yankee Government
frequently notified that ready to negotiate for
eace on the basis Of the independence of the Confed
crate States Let the Commissioners names be pub
lshed the world and thus prevent all further mis-
.pnrehension or miscoustructon of the views of our
authorities on this This is in accordance with
views expressed by more than year ago1
The Message reviews the military situation and pre-
seuts the encouraging conclusion that the campaigns
Of this year have neither impaired means of de-
fence nor given the enemy any assurance of final
cess Oar foreign relations reviewed with great
power and the neutrality of foreign exposed
with great point The idea of waiting for the enemy
to recognize our independence, that recognition
without interv enton would avail to stop the war
are exposed by President with his force and
cearness. The finances of the Confederacy are ex-
amined under the Secretary, and his recommends
ton approved by the President The employment of
slaves the extent of ,O0o for pioneer and engineer
laborers is far the President recommends Con-
crcss So present in the matter of employing slaves
in the army but whenever the alternative of subjugn-
ton or the employment of slaves soldiers is pre-
sented the President has ono reason to doubt what
should then be onr decision"
The President recommends that all exemptions of
particular classes persons be repealed, and that
power be vested in the military authorities grant
details to such may be deemed necessary for the
public good to remain at home.
As the newspapers generally giving their opinions
OF this rccomme dation, will merely remark that
the detail system is prolific of fraud and corruption
be longer continued in practice ia this country.
Any who Will pay money enough can manage to
get detail.
1t would be far better to con5crbe Editors and printers
and put them in the army than to subject the Press
the country to be trammeled by detaF; it would be
better coh:cr5e Ministers Of the Gospel and put
them in The army than detail preachers of religion
A dtaiitd Press and detailed Gospel would be a nice
thing for free Government! Under such circum
stances whenever detailed Editor undertook to ap-
prove and sustain the conduct of authorities people
would be justified in supposing that he seeking
favor from his masters. No independent, honest Editor
would feel free to call the people TO sustain the
authorities las nine tenths of the Editors doing
when he knew that he doing by virtue of a de-
Confederate States recognizes the freedom of the Press
and it ought remain free let it be wiped en-
tely. If the privileges and freedom of the Press
abused, let the guilty be exposed and punished. But
for freedoms sake let have detailed Gospel
detailed Press in the Confederate States subject
the caprice of corrupt and drunken honest and sober
officials. AS ndirduuis, Editors and printers claim
exemption but conductors Of the Press they claim
simply what the Constitution hing
nothing less
We can understand why some few officials of the
Government, and others, who fear exposure from the
Press should want it restricted but cannot under
sand why an honest upright man like President Davis
should make such rccomme ndaton.
These remarks not prompted by fear that Edi-
tors and printers will be put in the army for have
doubt they would be detailed to remain at home
hut object to placing the Press under the control Of
any of men. No Editor would feel free,
Editor with detail in his pocket. Therefore,
repeat conscibc the mbcrs of the Press leave
them entirely free.