Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-05-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

PRESIDENTS MESS ANE.
70 the Senate and House Of Re22rese,a
tatirsy ef tie C"ntedsrate States of Anasr
aca
Ypu are assembled under circumstances
of deep interest 10 yolr c,'nnlry and it
is fortunate that, coming as y"n do, newly
elected 10y the people, and familiar with
the cnnGrina OF tile various localities, you
will be the better able to devise measures
adapted 90 meet the waits or the public
service. without imposing unnecessary
burtlens on the citizen The brief period
which has elapsed since the last asiiourn
msnt OF Congress has not afforded suti
cient opportunity t" test The efficacy ot
the most imIol ant laws then enacted, nor
have the events occurring III the inter
val been such as materially to chai se the
state "f the country.
The unjust war commenced against ns,
in violation OF The rights OF the States, aud
in asnrration Of power not Delegated t"
the Government of the United States, is
sill characterized 10y the barbaris,n witt.
which T. has heretofore been conducted by
the enemy. Aged tncn, helpless women
and children, appeal III vain tn the hui
manity which. should be inspired by their
condition, for immunity fiou a, rest incar-
ceration or banisil:nent from their omes.
plundeI and devastation ri TIE property
OF n"l-cnln hatants, destruction ut private
dwellings and even nf editices devoted to
the worship "t Gni, expeditions organized
for the sole purpose If sacking cities, con
signing them to Tie flames, killing the IN
armed Inhabitants aud iutlictIng horrible
on'rages on Wunlei, ana children, ARE some
OF ttse constantly recurring atrocities ut
the invader. LII cannot reasonably be
pretended that such ae's cnnduce. to any
end which their authors dare avow before
the civilized world, and sooner or late,
Chflstend"m must nett, out - them tlr
condemnation which such brutality de-
serves. The suffering thus rutIll.ssly Ia
nieted upon the people OF the invaded DIS
tilcts has served Dnt to illustrate tleit
patriotism. Entire unanimity and zeal
f'r their country's cause have been pre-
etnlnen'ly consp'cuons among those whose,
sacrifices Ia G been grea est. So the ar
nls, which has borne the trials and dan
gers OF tie war !; whicl, has been subjected
IL p'ivati"ns and disapp"inlments, Cess %
manly tertlfude far more severe than the
bFit1 tatlgnee aud perlls OF actual c,n'ba ,
has been the centre OF ciieerfulncss anu
nope. tIo.n the camp comes the voice ri
the soldier patriots invoking each VIII" is
at home in the sphere he pest may fill, to
devote his whole energies to the snppor.
oi a cause, III the success Of which :hei,
Confidence has never faItered They, the
veterans Of n-any d hand fought field, rcn
uer toIthei: country, wiri,out limit OF time,
service of priceless value to us, one.
wh'cl'rosteri1y will hold IN grateful re
enhrance. fJe - Tff"a' *ss 4g'a
In considering the state OF the country,
the reflection is naturally suggested, tia
this is tile third Congress IF tie Coufede-
tate Ststes Of America. The Pr"visiona!
government was formed, its Congress held
lonr sessions, lived its appointed term aud
PASSED away. The perlnanent. Govern
ment was then organized, lis ditterent ,de-s
parfmspis established, a Congress elected
winch also, held four SESSIONS, served its
!, Inli constitutional term and expired. You.
'he SECOND Congress, nnder the rerma
nent government, are now assembled al
the time and place appointed by law for
commencing yonr session. Allsthese
events. have passed inta history, notwirh-
s'snalag the threat of our prompt subin-l
xAtl0QA madn ffrone voorc rxr, ~, a ro1y,lo