Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-20
An I,IPORTANF SOCUnENT.
RESPONSE Or THE CONFEDERATE SENAT
TO THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The following report of q select Committee was
presented in the Senate, Thursday night, in secret
session, and eoncurred in by that body without a
call for the yeas aud nays The injunction OF secrecy
was subsequently, rem wed, and the report ordered
to be printed
The select committee, TO whom was referred SO
much of the Presidents Message of the l3th inst
as relates 10 the action OF Congress during the
present session, having duly considered the sane,
respectfully submit the following
REPORT:
The attention of Congress is called by the Pres
dent 20 the tact, that Tor carrying ON the war sue
cessfully, there Is urgent need OF men aud supplies
Tor the army.
The measures passed 10y Congress during the
present session, for recruiting the army are con
sdered by the President insufficient; and IL Is said
that the results OF the law authorizing the employ
ment of slaves and soldiers will be less than anti
cipated IN consequence OF the dilatory action u
Il Congress in adopting the measure. That a law so
radical in its character, so repugnant to the pre-
iu,liues OI people, aud so ultimately affecting
the organism OF society, should encounter Oppose
ton and receive tardy sanction, ought not 10 ex
cite surprise but f the policy and necessity OF the
i measure had been seriously urged on Congress y
AN Executive Message legislative action might have
been uuickened. The President, IN no official conf
municatiOnf to Congress, has recommended The pas
sage of law putting Slaves into the aKlRy as SOB
II
first official information that such law g8ud meet
Il his approval. The Executive Message tfansmiuetl
tn Congress on the 9Th u November last
i suggests The .rOprety OF eBlarging the sphere
L OF empl0yment OF the negro as labOrer,
and for tlis purpose recommends that the absolute
title To slaves D. acquired by impressment, and as
An incentive to the faithful discharge OF duty, that
the slaves thus acquired he liberated, with the per-
mission Of the States iIom which they were drawn.
In this connection the following language is used
II :. IA This policy should recommends itself to the
Judgment of Congress, 10 is suggested that, in al
/ dition 90 the duties heretofore performed by TIC
| dave, he might be advanIageOusly employed as ~
oHeer and engineer Idb0rer aud in that event, that
1 the number should lie augmented 10 fnrty tho'S-
/ and BegoPd his liIaii and heSe eapL0yaeidS, u
dos not seem 20 ms dssrabe, aader eriStiRy Giros
/ starceS 10 0O" In the same message the Pres
dent further remarks: % The subject Is 10 be yIev
ed BIZ us. therefore sOIely in the light OF policy
i ana our social economy. Hhea SOreJdrded, ns
dissent from those icho ddUiSe general Isoy dAd
| drn.ing the SldUeS roc The dRty of soldiers. IL p
manifest that the President in November last Dc
not consider that the contingency had thea MlSei
which would Justify resort to the extraordinary
nolicy OF arming our slaves. Indeed, M other "
/ ieraore cau be dedaced from the language used By
him, for he SAYS :'' These considerations, howey
Ter are rather applicable 10 the Improbable coeit
otrvof O,,y need Of ftsoriiRg 10 hts etaned IF r.
sistaaes, than 10 Our present COZ dtion." The seq
retarY OF War, iI his report, nHdsr date OF Noyee q
Der "a, seemed Ia concur al the e4nhoh ol "
i Presideat xlsen he said - While u rs e0e0arag
ling 60 know this resource for further and tntH
efforts is al our command, nay ooH Judgment dh
not get citteF peTcetre ne Necessity or dpprore "
policy Of esPiosilg sidres IN ne k'gAg duties 2
/ Az siSi period OG the session the Prssiden. 2
Secretary of'Wsr considered us inPFobAhls ea'