Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1864-1865, 1865-04-11
NE WIS ITEMS
Richmond. March l4.--The President

NE WIS ITEMS~
Richmond. March l4.--The President
addressed an important message to Con-
gress yesterday. which was read m secret
session. He says the country is now envi-
roned with peris which it is our duty to
ontemplate. The recent military sue
cesses Of the enemy have had tho natural
effect to encourage our foes AID dispirit
many Of our people.
The capital Of the Confederacy ia threat
ened, and is in greater peril than hitherto
during the war, which fact is stated without
| reserve rs dire the people. on whose con
stancy and courage entire trust rs reposed'
and Congress, in whose wisdom and reso-
lutte spirit the people have confided for al
| vice and measures to guard them from
! threatening peril.
The President states that il IS within orr
| mower to avoid the caiamities which
1 threaten us and secure triumph for our sa-
cred cause. The result is TO TIC obtained
only by prompt and rcsolute action. The
whole resources of men and money in the
Confeder.cy must be devoted to the
achievement OF oar liberty and indie
pepdence. We need for carrying on the
war successfully inca and supplies for the
army.
We hare both within our country sufi
cient to obtain success. and for purchasing
supplies necessary we must provide the
MEANS He recommends, for the reasons
above stated, that Congress devise means
] for making available the coin within the
Confederxcy for purchasing supplies for
the army With two millions of dollars in
] coin the armies in Virginia and North
Carolina can be amply supplied for the re-
maindcr of the year. The impressment act
should be amended SO IS to authorize I'M
pressment OF supplies without making pay
A. ne mi ~
ment This power, it is admitted ~ OBJ
iectionabie. but objections must yield to
I absolute necessity.
| He also suggests that the valuation of
SUPPLIES impressed at specie. in obligations
! Of the government be given in payment OF
the same in coin, with interest. or Mt the op
ton of the creditor. TO be returned in kind
| The President says that the measures
passed during the last session tor recruit
ing the army are insufficient. and he Is
| compelled bv a profound conviction OF
duty. and by the periis which '"rround
the country. to urge additional legislation
on the subject.
The bill employing negroes as soldiers
has not vet reached him, though the pub
! lie journals inform him of its passage.
Much benefit is anticipated from this mea :
llre though far less than would have been
| anticipated At an earlier day.
The President recommends the repeal %:
=, all class exemptions, SO as To strengthen
the forces in the field and abate discomfort
| in the army.
The measure needed. however, for AFFORD
| ing an effective increase OF our military
| strength. is a general law prescribing not
ouly how and by what portions the militia
are to be organized, bu, providing mode
| for calling them out the STATES trserving
! the right of appointing the officer
| Sfr,nuty The, StIs - n
sion of the wri. of haheas corpus. He
saws the time has arrived when it Is no,
| onlv advisable and cxped!ent. bat almost
| Indispensable to tn successful conduct Of
| the war that the above measures should
! be promptly adopted With the hearty
! CO operation of Congress and the people
| in executing the laws, we may then enter
| upon the present campaign with cheerful
| confidence and unconqnerabl. resolution
to be free. We must continue this strug-
| gle to q successful issue or take An AFFECT
and unconditional submission.
The President then informs Congress
| that in the course of the conference nj
| Fortress Monroe, q suggestion was made
by one of our commissioners tor nego-
| tiating by means OF q convention between
| the commanding generals OF the armies OF
! the two belligerents. Lincoln did not &c
cept the suggestion. Subsequently Major
Gen. Ord asked an interview with General
Longstreet. during which the latter was in
formed that there was G possibility OF
| satisfactory adjustment o. the present I'M
happy difficulties by means of a military
| convention. Gen. Lee was accordingly
| instructed to write to Gen. Grant. pro-
posing to meet him for conference on the
| subject. stating that he wa. vested with
| the requisite authority.
Grant replied that he had no authority TO
| accrde to proposals of conference that
| his power extended only to making con-
ventions on subjects purely OF military
character. Thus it appears the United
| States Government did not make any terms
| Of agreement for the cessation OF hostlli-
| ties There remains nothing but con.
| tinuation of the contest to its final issue.
The President invites attention to the
above recommendations by which we may
hone to escape the calamities which would
result from the failure OF Our cause. 10
| this end there is necessary an earnest CO.
operation between the departments of Gov
eminent and every class of eminent citi-
zens throughout the Confederacy.
| To the Senators and Representatives, es-
| peciaily do the people look for encourage
| inent rising above selfish considerations.
Let us struggle on; but in case of failure
bow in submission to the will Of our
| Heavenly Father.
Richmond, March l3.-The Senate pass.
ed the House bill furnishing transportation
to wounded and disabled soldiers also
passed joint resolution of thanks to Gen.
Casper Tochmau.
The House last night passed the bill
| suspending the writ of habeas corpus
Also the bill TO suspend the privilege of
the writ of habeas corpus until otherwise
provided by law, in all cases OF arrest and
detention by order of the President. Score.
! tarv of War or general officer commanding
the Trans Mississippi Department also 10
| suspend the said privilege for sixty days
| from the time of arres. or detention by Or
der of any general officer commanding any
army or military district or department.
The bill abolishing the Offices Of post
commissary and quartermaster returned
with the Presidents message. was again