The New York herald., 1864-10-31
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.
THE REBEL THANKSGIVING DAY.
Proclamation Of jeff. Davis Naming NOvel1
bsr l6 as u Day Of Thanksgiving.
The Rebel Congressman Boycc's
Policy OF Reconstruction.
Severe Criticism on the Peace Policies
of Stephens and Boyce.

Severe Criticism on the Peace Policies
of Stephens and Boyce.
As., ke. &s.
Proc a ma tLon or Jer. Davis Appointing
a bay for Pubitc worship.
IL is tho people OF the Confederate states
should from time assemble to acknowledge thoir
de. .endepce Almighty God 20 render devout thanks
manifold blessings, to worship His ho'y name, to
bend prayer At His foostoo ami TO accept with rover
submission the ohastoning OF all HIS wise ana al
morci ui providence. lot US, then. temples and in
Geds unite recognizing With adoring graft
tude tho manifestation OF his protecting care ia the
many signal victories with which have been
crowned in tho u.rulncss with which iaad has
blessed tue energy aud forttuto
with which c has INSPIRED boarts and strengthened
resistance 70 the ubiquitous Designs OF
enomes
and let us not forget that while grac,ousy vouch
sailing 70 His protection. our sns have mer,ted ADD
ceved griovoas chassement that many OF best
bravest fallen In battle; that many others still
held foreign prisons; that large districts OF
try have devastated with savage forocity, the
peaceful homes destroyed, and helpless women and chill
dren driven away IN destuution aud that with headsh
magny. the passions Of seville race have been OK
ced by our foes OF atrocities from
wh,cn death Is a weIcsme escape
Now therefore, l. Jefferson Davis, President OF the
Confederate States OF America do issue this my procia
nation setting apart Wednesday, the l6thday OF Novem
bor next day be specially devoted to tho worship OF
Almighty Cod and do invite aud Invoke all the people
OF these Confederate States assemble the day
sad their respective places OF public worship, there
to unto 10 prayer Heavonly Father that Ho be
STOW his favor upon u.s. that He extend tho
lection OF lis almighty tina. 10 sanctfy Hs chas
tisement to our Improvement, so that We turn away
evil paths aud walk righ.eously His sight that
lie restore pcacs TO beloved country healing its
bleeding wounds and securing TO US the continued euJoy
nent right Of sefgovernmont and independenoe.
and that He gracousy hearksa 60 Us while We ascrbe
to Him the power and glory OF our deliyerance.
Given undor my hand aud the soai Of tbs Confederate
States at Richmond this Goth day Of October, the
year OF our Lord 1854. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
BY the President
Up. BENJAMIN, secretary OF Staio
tho ReconsiructionP Pol:oy OF eho South.
erh Rencc Men.
DEvEaE CRITICISM ON LIZ. B0YCE5 RECoNSrRUc.
TIOk LKrrEH.
Tfrom the Charleston Mercury, Oct 13.l
When the commenced lstructon-
sts IN tue government u tho Confederate Statescre
oere rcconsracstonts IN the Comm on Wh ca framed '
consultation II tAe Confederate S.Gtes No less than three
coas~s tte conattucn i0ot 10 thts policy The fury
OF aud the deesable characteristics displayed
down. he etVore, the Developments OF this policy Dur
Llte military dtsasrs hrvs encouraged TO rate i hsGi
Tae too str.ing demonstrations hdi gtpen M are
Vce Pyedt Sepaens, letter and Mr.. Boyc,s address s
the P,edn Of he Confederate States We have 80 iatey
opposed this policy advocated by the Vice President
OF states, that In considering MT Eoycs's
address We wii ony advert 10 positions he has tAsco
Mr Bsyce's MAN positions are thesewe tho Con.
fedegste stxtos have military despOtism over now,
and must have forever unless we make peace
with the Yankees which viii be satilacsory
he and body elso knows nat tho Yankees vii, not
reunion with no, tho ooncsion is irres.sbe that Mr.
Byos in iavor u recommendation OF tho Union with
| them.
Let briefly examine the grounds for Mr.. Boyce's
pelicy 0, roconsiruc loo.
lie Ssscrts that have now . despotism
Admit this Is 10 is question perslnens
its continunnce-who put this dcspotism over usy
ns' Inn M s mr.
But them 10 him, and whcn ho nssums thom,
countcnanccd aud to,orated them, ing the full
constitutional power 70 suppress them indispusaole
facts ans~er-Congress MIR. boycc himself Congress
has passed tho laws which have established despotsm
and now. told that 10 get rid Of u,
ia nto tho arms u our cruet aud foes
l. but let us take up, sepaiateiy, tho powers ia tne
Executive which constitute the despotism Mr..
Boyce says"Have you lot carried coascriptcn TO It's
last nmtsr Is not evory mAu IN the country between
seventeen and hity subject TO military authority None
exempt upon any considerations o tho public 10
tsrests /"
The constitution gives Congress the pevor I" TO
support armies" The power general. The call
ins all between seventeen and iisy de-
iend country, establishes despotsm. II Ia tue
duty ali ctzcns ali ages, to defend their county
az ainst inv especially the citizens OF REQ
c0uutry because they light The des-
potic and feature pton law
Mr. boyce does not advert To. IL is the powe. claims
by exemptn. the officers OF the state governments 70
abolish them. Whom the government may exempt
EtioD, IL copscrfoo But this assertion OF
power not exercised, is no practical dospotism.
'Have been compelled 10 lay direct taxes 10
the worry teeth of the theory OF the constitution"
Yes, certainly. But who compelled Congress and hr.
Boyce violate tho constitution and lay direct taxes
They Compelled" themselves They failed to Jay aoy
coecabc for two years relying on thc issue Of
thax
became enormous and then TO rec,iy this thsy
violated Constitution and laid dirccs taxes II the
Vbec, consolidate the goyernnientin IN the ayi15 Of
taxes the policy admirable. Al IL IS the peoplo ~
inc Confederate states viii pay t5e tax rs voluntary
T. support the government and 10 carry
the war In doing so they are not rowiog down 20 a
dcspotism 1hoy making an Offering OF Patriotism.
s. "Have not issucd such vast amounts OF pager
money as to uLsettic ali values PEELED
tho holders Of cur paper money to und IT, Or TO lose one
thirdln
AN true But d es this establish a despotsm' Have
governments, we'll desnotsins, rcpudsted
he, debts or ,s ad Vos Wsa sooa %so. .ns
derec OF payer money by failing TO lay taxes aud
then put upon shame repudaiions The govern
ment ought 10 cave had financial policy. whcn would
have saved such dshouorabie oxpedients but
AID MT boyce which passed the laws estAb
4. 'Have we not seized all railroads, Have We not
destroyed railroads and built others'
As yeizure and destruction Of railroads 10 carry
ing military operations this neither wrong nor
constitutional The constitution expressly declares that
private property may oe taken iot pubic use on lust
compensation. Nor, " rAiroads have been built by the
military, Is there any objection 10 ~ An army may
f1y KIND of road TO carry on rs operations. but
Congress assumed the power build railroads BY ap
pralions from the Confederate Treasury This was un
constitutional but hardly be said 10 have cstsb-
Lshed q despotsm Ia the confederacy.
-. Have we not established q universal system Of
mprossment Of propsrty 81 our own prices IN our own
money!"
NOT definitely. Therc can be appeal 70 another /
tribana II the party whose property Is impressed h ds
satisfied the prices osred By The govcrnm ent The
Justified BY the clause Ia ths constitution above
alluded TO- BY which she government s authorized TO
take private property pubc with conpensatiou
II the fruit inflated currehcy and this 0f Con
Al dsi,u,naorv noa las,n prupeY