Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-04
MILITARY AND CIVIL MATTERS.

n
The undersigned appointed public meeting at King
George Court House at December Court, to prepare
petition the General Assembly asking the adoption OF
efficient organization of the militia OF the Common
wealth and of laws to preserve the peace and safety OF
the people represent most respectfully that it is unver
sally admitted that the existing militia system useless
burden rather than protection to the people in case OF
an emergency demanding an armed force y drilled
company of 80 TO men with arms il far more efficient
than any militia regiment OF the State now organzed
No matter how well trained may be its officers "a rare
exception if be found anywhere) sudden call for mil
ary protection finds IL dlsOrganlzed pinc-stricken
horde without arms without rendezvous, without con-
hdence, activity discipline The lneihciency oil
militia regiments of the state is distinctly proved by
the necessity of ordering volunteer companies from re-
mote parts of the State the late of disturbance
at Harpers Ferry and Charestown. If well organized
military force of a few hundred could have been
furnished from the halEdOzen regiments OF Jefferson
Frederick Berkeley and Clarke counties, no such nece
sity would have existed. 1t deyoIyes, then, upon the
General Assembly to provide better plan for the de-
fence OF the State. No tell how and where
a prompt and effective military force NAV be required
for the protection OF the exposed borders OF the State
The first immediate want is the issue OF arms TO a. least
one company of every regiment besides the volunteer
companies attached to it, The next important step is
TO make this armed company well drilled and efficient
corps of minute men, under the immediate command OF
the cOmmandaut OF the regiment with the h"d officers
and the commissioned and non-cOmmissioned officers Of
doubt that company thus organized may be formed by
voluntary enlistment from the ranks of the regiment
Where this cannot be DONE or deficient number exists
let the deficiency be supplied by draft the drafted men
serving certain term, to be succeeded by other drafts
whenever required. With 4 company like this, the oi-
GERS of the regiment will acquire degree OF familiar
y With their duties, and obtain the confidence OF the
men; and whenever the regiment shall be called out 10
form upon this company as its nucleus, the drill they
have had will show each officer his station IN the respec
~ ia.
subordinate posts
The undersigned will not suggest the displacement Of
the existing officers of MALTA. But they feel compelled
to state that the existing mode of appointment Is ncOn-
sstent with due military subordnauon. In civil affairs,
elections are in accord with republican Institutions but
war an unnatural condition Of the body polite, and de-
mauds a system which shall search out, not the most
popular man. but the best trained soldier system which
shall commend not request obedience and due subordi
nation What would be thought Of that organization so
thoroughly republican, which allowed the sailors OF
man of war TO elect its captain and other officers; Such
feet could never put TO Though injurious in .ess
degree this is the existing military system OF Virginia
The appointment of military officers Is essentially iunc
ton OF the Executive power Il was regarded III the
early period of the government when our fathers were
quite as Jealous As Of popular rights but
practically better acquainted with the demands
OF military service. Let them the appointment
of officers OF militia be restored to the Exec
utve with such checks your honorable body may
deem necessary to the best choice No period
can be more iii than the present for this important
change The Military Institute has already furnished
and Is contributing annually the best material TO all por
tons OF the Commonwealth. Executive appointments
conferred upon them would be accepted matter OF
duty-eectOls, as now made are at war with the syS-
tenn in which they have been trained-their modesy a.
Young men iOrbids their seeking thcm-the discipline
they have had rcvOs az mode OF appointment so much
40 variance with proper suourdinJtiOn The response
bility being thrown upon the Executive Of appointing
General aud Field Officers OF the militia 70 l all yacan
cas which may arise, Is quite certain that he Will seek
the best information enable him discharge this duty
tthtly-his responsibility will, at least, furnish some
check where none whatever exists at present
With fit officers and trained men properly armed, the
military organization of Virginia will suffice for any
emergency which may arise Let due encouragement
be ven for the creation of volunteer companies OF va
rous arms-they invaluable necessary au1iaries 20
each regiment and should be nurtued with great
Ii should be enacted that the funds OF former yolun
teer companies held by shers others SHALL be paid
the treasurers Of companies organized or hereafter or
gained. Material aid, too would arise by providing
that the fines of the regiment shall contribute to the sup
port OF the volunteers Of each regiment
Besides ~ establishment OF efficient military
gauzlon your honorable body will also be invoked
pass laws calculated 10 promote the prosperity aud peace
of the Commonwealth The undersigned will not presume
10 indicate what these should be- they have confidence
in the patriotism and wisdom Of the General Assembly
But they cauno, forbear the expression of hope thai
besides encouraging home industry and diminishing
connection with those who prove hostile 10 rights
summary process may be provided to punsh those who
come among and accept our kindness and hospital.
ties that they may tamper with slaves and CON
treason in midst. As a for the
lion Of offenders like these against whom the testimony
OF white rarely If ever be obtained 1t is absolute
" necessary that the evidence of negroes be allowed by
law against all citizens residents Of States ,chere the
lars admit The igdscrinilate cuidHce of blacks
and Jrijtey. If the evidence OF such Is admitted
against a Nirgniau in the Courts Of Massachusetts,
and New York, justice demands that it shall be
received against Northern whose Vaccinations are
with the slaye-whO degrade themselves TO the level
OF the slaye-and who allowed by the laws of their
State 10 arragn the Southern upon the testimony of
his slave whom he may purchauce follow to his place
Of refuge. The faithful servant informs his that
the he has entertained has endeavored TO enlist him
in conspiracy TO revolt, and to murder his masters
household He goes from house to house. employed in
his dabolical mission and because white man cannot
hear his willy plots Courts take no cOgnizance of
his crime. This ought not to be. Let our generous
uususpecng people to be exposed 10 the machna
tons of the crafty abOtonis who knows too we'll that
the faithful slave he do betray cannot hurt him by his
truthful evidence. If the fidelity Of the slave prompt
him TO give information his master the testimony of
that slave may be received with perfect confidence in
court Of justice against his vile tempter The safety of
the people demands change of policy to the ex-
tent which have indicated in the criminal laws of
the State.
Warmly attached as they are to the Constitution and
the Union of the States bequeathed to by pa
triotc fOreathers the Committee have venturtd sug
gest the foregoing part of the peaceful remedies for
existing evils against which the General Assembly in its
wisdom may provide. But when all peaceful remedies
shall fail and the sad alternative be presented of aban
doning that Union whose guarantees the people of the
North have ceased to observe wantony disregard
advise unheaingy the necessary steps for its dssou
ton, its farther existence would be fatal to the liberty
harmony and prosperity Of the Southern States.
Signed,
EDWARD T. TAYLoE,
w. X. Mason,
WV. T SMITH,
MARK ARNOLD
Committee.