Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-03
GOV ELLus,s MESSAGE.

had in the most solemn manner known to institu
tons withdrawn themselves from the Federal Union and
established Confederate Government, able and deter
mined 10 maintain its independence.
Whatever difference Of opinion may have existed as
to the wisdom of the successive steps taken by those
States was generally conceded in North Carolina that
they could rghtfuy be constrained by force 10
main in the Union.
Here follows an argument for the abstract right of
secession o. length and much ability but as it is
no longer of practa importance, omit it, to arrive
at the more practc, portion Of the message.
After a Government had been organized, one of the
earliest as it undoubtedly of the most important
and delicate duties devoving Congress. was to fur
nish the President with the powers necessary enable
him to take care that the laws be faithfully executed
and TO pass such laws might be necessary to provide
for Ang forth the militia execute the laws OF the
Union, suppress resurrection and repel invasion"
Accord civ we ind that early as 1898 law was
pas ed for the purpose 1t having been iound detective
IL WIS supcrst ded by the act OF 2S Of February 1885,
which, without addition or amendment, has remained
the law on the sct down the present time-enact-
ed by Congress Which, TO large extent was cOmpos-
ed OF the INDIVIDUALS who had assisted In framing the
Constitution it is the best interpreter OF the general Ian
guage used in that instruments and from the day OF Its
down to tie 4h of March of the present year.
President has ever construed giving him power TO
ue military force, except as oSSe cO1tdtS, or other
wise in aid OF civil process. Ours being Government
of law and not military despOsm, no other construc-
ton could be placed upon that act When in 1888 the
State Of South Carolina forbade the execution ofthe Tar
fl law within her limits the act OF 1895 IN force PR
cisey as it is to-day but President Jackson, knowing
that the act only authorized the Of the military force
in aid of civil process aud that there would be 10 courts
in South Carolina to issue process called upon Congress
for additional powers aud that body enacted what has
been Familiarity known as the Force Bill The
in nv oriuon violtive of the Constitution but no at
tempt made to exercise the powers conferred
by IT, aud it expired by its own limitation in 1889 The
POLITICAL friends of the present Administration well know
ny that there was no law the statute book under
which the sdent could military force in the States
from which the Federal Judges Marshas aud other civ
officers had been expelled urged Congress at It's last
session enact laws conlerring on him such authority
T. journals of that body will show that bills for the pur
pose pressed with the utmost pertinacy, and also
that they not enacted into laws
He usurped the coveted powers which Congress had
refused TO confer on him, and whilst Commissioners
from the Confederate States at the seat oil Gov
eminent urging peaceful settlement OF all questions IN
dispute and striving to avert from the country the Ca
lamities of civil war-whle the people being de-
luded by daily protesrations from the President OF his
rm purpose TO preserve the peace, and we were in mo-
mentarv expectation Of hearing that Fort Sumter, IN
Charleston harbor had been evacuated, secret expedi-
lion was fitted and seathiy dispatched to commence
me war by attempt 10 throw rentorcements into
that fertilization. To high crmiuality, involving the
country in civil war was added base peIdy in exciting
hopes and expectations 10 be dashed at the moment OF
Tuition.
Having thus commenced the war, the President, on
preeuce that the act Of 1895 coners on him power to
30 So issued Proclamation calling on the States to
furnish seventy.fve thousand for carrying it on
aud the Secretary of War officially informed me that
North Ca.oGna expected 10 furnish two Regiments
TO aid the North 10 subjugatrg her sister States-we
might with propey say OF some OF them her daughters
of the South. promptly replied to that iuncuonary
|. ~ fat ba TIrD N h
irgating the States Of the South in violation OF the
Consul ution and an usurpaiOn Of power can be no
marty to this wicked violation Of the laws OF the coun-
try and TO this upon the Liberties of free people
You can get troops from North Carolina.
The outburst OF indignation with which the Procla-
nation OF the President has been received by all the
citizens of the State couvinces that did mistake
the people whose Chief Magistrate | am The aacrity
With which they have sprung TO arms oustHpprg the
slow forms of law aud enabling me to assemble an army
from the plough and the workshop IN less time 'han II
mas REQUIRED TO convene the General Assembly, is DOL
that long wears Of peace and order have only made more
dear 10 them their rights and liberties aEd have not III
the least impaired their readiness and their ability TO de-
feud them.
Ii he'd At the seat Of Government Camp OF Instruction,
10 which have ordered such troops are ready Tor
and are needed for the protection OF tue sc iooard
The usurper who mad already seized the WORD with.
out authority Of law aud using against bis own
countrymen could not with city TO the state, be al
logged 10 establish himself in the strOugholds and or
6e! places within our limits l. therefore, in discharge
of plain obligation deyol7Gg on me as Governor OF
he State aud m virtue of the powers vested III me as
Governor and Captain General and Commander'n-Chlei
of the militia lost time Ia taking possession, 10 the
name OF the State, OF the forts, arsenaIs, ana o'her
property Of the Federal Government within the State
and thew are now held under my orders by adequate
garrsous
will in due time lay before you statement OF the
property thus taken Into possession so soon as reports
eau b.. prepared by the proper departments.
Experience having brought TO light radical detects N
the laws for the organization Of the military forces OF
the State invite your early attention to the subj
is believed that the legislation OF your late session has
not materially improved our military system; aud have
10 hesitation in expressing the opinion that the exstng
laws are wholly inadequate TO the emergency that Is
upon Us torbear making suggestions in detail upon
this subject aud will content myself merely with re-
marking the military regulations of other countries
especially those renowned Tor achievements IN arms
should not be lost sight OF in the trying necessity by
which We are surrounded The efficiency OF this branch
of the public service requires, in my opinion thorough
rev on and modification OF existing legislation on the
subject.
would respectfully recommend the raising and or
r.nz ion of ten regiments TO serve during the war and
tla appropriate bOunues be offered to all persons thus
enistiug.
OF tue sum of three hundred thousand dollars appro
a
expended S35 800 55-whch amount will be increased
by outstanding contracts TO the further OF $4,000
or therea outs.
The State being at D. esent provided with arms would
recommend that the remainder OF this appropriation be
directed to the preparation OF munitions OF and the
manufacture Of that may hereafter needed The
Arsenal at Fayetvle is in all respects suitable location
for the prosecu ion Of such works.
Our se4board defeucss OF the utmost Importance,
and have engaged large share OF the attention OF this
department Sp c6c plans for the construction OF new
works. and making good our defence in that quarter,
will with more propriety, be laid before the proper COM
mittees of your body
An expenditure has been made for various purposes,
connected with the defence OF the State the details and
amount Of which will be communicated TO you by the
proper officers. portion OF il has been advanced by
private individuals, and portion remains unpaid. Ade-
quate means should be provided TO meet this expendi-
ure and also 20 enable the State to carry the in
defence OF It's rights and lib rites.
It gives pleasure to acknowledge the timely and
important aid rendered me by the Governors OF Virginia
aud South Carolina towards placing Notifications on
the sea-coast in deiensible condition. chrerfuly re-
ciprocaed this favor the extent of my ability, by
sending to the Governor of Virginia portion Of the
arms in possession and which could be conveniently
be spared.
The Northern Government is now concentrating c
large force in the District Of Columbia ostensby TO pro-
ect the seat OF Government but such force cannot be
allowed to remain within the limits of Maryland and on
the borders vi Virginia without seriously endangerng
the liberties of the people of those States II they
be conquered aud overrun North Carolina will become
the next prey 70 the invaders. Policy then, as well as
sympathy aud feeling Of brotherhood, engendered by
interest," requires to exert our energies IN the
defence of Maryland and Virginia Every battle fought
there will be battle fought behalf of North Carolina,
and there troops should be speedily sent.
There can be no doubt that the people OF our State
are low fully united as TO the policy to be pursued with