Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-03-24

J. ~. MAUZY, ~ !. =
| Presidents Message.
For want of space we are prevented from
publishing in full the late important Mes
sage of President Davis. We however give
below an excellent synopsis Of the same
which we copy from the "Lynchhurg Res
publican"
The country is now envirened with per-
! lis which it is our duty calmly to eontem-
plate. The recent military successes of the
enomy have had the natural effect of en-
couraaing our foes aud have dispirited many
of our people. The capital Of the Confod~
crate States is now threatened and is in
greater danger than it has heretofore been
during the war. The fact is stated with
out reserve as due to the people in whose
consistency and courage entire trust is reposed
and to Congresa in whose wisdom and res
dilute spirit the people have :onfded for the
adoption of the measures required to guard
them from the threatened perils.
The President states it as his deliberate
conviction that it is within our power to
avert the calamities which menace US and
insure the triumph of our sacred cause
This result is to be obtained by the prompt
and resolute devotion of the whole resour-
ces Of men and money in the Confederacy
to the achievement of our liberties and in-
dependence. We need for carrying on the
war successfully, men and supplies for. the
army. We have both within the country
sufficient to attain success.
For the purchase of supplies the Treas
ury must be provided with means. He
recommends, for the reasons stated that
Congress devise means for making availa.
BILE the coin within the Confcderacy for the
purpose of supplying the army. With twQ
| millions of dollars in coin the armies in
! Virginia d North Carolina can be amply
supplied for the remainder of the year.
The impressmentl law should be amended to
authorize the imprisonment of supplies with
out making payment of the valuation at the
time Of i,npressmont. This power is adj
pitted to be Objectionable but all objections
must yield to absolute necessity. He also
suggests the valuation Of the supplies inn
pressed at specie rates the obligation of The
Government to be given for the payment
of the prices in coin with interest or at the
option of the creditor, to be returned in
kind.
| The President says the measures passed
during the present session for recruiting
the army are insufficient and he is impelled
by profound conviction of duty, stimula-
ted BY the perils which surround our coun-
try to urge additional legislation on this
subject: The bill employing negroes as
soldiers has not yet reached him though
printed journals inform him Of its passage
Much benefit is anticipated from this meas
ure, though far less than would have result
ted from its adoption at an earlier date.
The President recommends the repeal of
all class exemptions, 50 as to strengthen
the force in the field and abate discomfort
in the army.
The measure most needed, however. for
ofording an effective increase four milita-
ny strength is general militia law, pres
cribing, not only how and of what persons
the militia arc to be organized, but are
providing also the mode of calling them out,
the States reservipg the appointment of
officers.
I The President strongly urges the sus~
pension Of the privilege Of the writ of habeas
corpus, and says the time has arrived when
it is not only advisable and expedient but
almost indispensable to the successful con-
duct of the war.
! With the prompt adoption of measures
above recommended and united and hearty
cooperation Of Congress and the people in
the execution oft laws and the defence
of the country, we may enter upon. the
present campaign with cheerful confidence
in the result. What other resources re-
nj n availablesbut an undying. uncenquer-
able resolve to be free. W. must contin-
ne this struggle to. successful issue or
make AFFECT, unconditional submission.
Il The President then informs Congress
that in the course of the conference at
Fortress Monroe the suggestion was made
by one Of our Commissioners for negcti-
atoms by means of a Convection between
the Commanding Generals Of the armies of
the two b elligeren's. Lincoln did not &C
cept the suggestion. Subsequently Gen.
Ord asked an interview with Gen. Long
street, during which the latter was informed
: that there was possibility ola satisfactory
adjustment of the present unhappy difficult
ties by means Of q Military Convention. -
G eneral Lee, according to instructions,
wrote to &c eral Gran; on the 2nd inst,
proposing to meet him for conference on
che subject, stating that he was vested
with the reqhisit authority. Gen Grant
replied that he had no authority to accede
: to the proposed conference: that his powers
; extended only to making convention on
SUBJECTS ola purely military character.
Thus itappears the Government of the
4 United States will not make any terms or
agreement whatever for cessation of hos
tilities. There remains no choice for us bu,
to continue the contest to final issue.
!, The President invites attention to The
ans.by which, above all others, we may
: hope to escape the calamities that would re.
suit from failure. Pfo1 incnt among them
g Is the necessity for earnest and cordial co
operation between all the departments ri
the Government. State and Confederate
and all eminent citizens throughout the
. the Confederacy. 10 Senators and Rep
: reseDtatives do the people especially look
. for encoura cement and counsel.