Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-14
ZOE TUE WIG.
All III TIE voITNTEgRs OF THE STATE

AOALL TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE STATE.
Volunteers of Virginia the time apparently approaches
with rapdity when you may be called TO defend your
State and the lberties Of your country
Upon YOU will devoive the beat and burthen OF the
conflict should civil war be nauguated after the 4th Of
March next
The military organization and system Of the State is
exceedingly imperfect and defective.
The Legislature is even now discussing radical change
and reformation Of that system.
Volunteers, what position are you to occupy In that
system?
The Convention, too, is soon to mect-a body repre-
seung the sovereignty Of the State superior to and
preUe over the Legislature The Convention is the pro-
per body to initiate aud provide the proper military
means Of defence for the lives the property and liberties
OF the people of the State.
The Mississippi State Convention, after passing the Or
diuance Of secession further ordained volunteer system
for that State provided for its organization, and pre-
scr bed system of taxation and TO defray the
military expenses of the State See acts of Mississippi
Convention.)
Volunteers your honor your welfare your glory, the
PEACE the lives the safety the liberties of your country
are all at stake.
In a free country there never should be large and
overshadowing regular or standing army.
regular army will of course belong to the Confeder-
alton of the South.
State Volunteers we'll trained and well Differed, and
having thorough and separate organization, through
out the State into regiments brgades aud divisions will
raise up force that will be invncblethat will fall in
with the genius of free institutions and the spirit Of
our people.
Great Britain dazzed by the splendid and glorious
deeds of American volunteers the fields OF Mexico,
and fearing threatened invasion from France has relied
neither upon her regular army and navy upon fori
fcatons, but has organized volunteer system, and is
making every marksman with the rife, and every
man a volunteer soldier.
America has taught Great Britain two lessons in the
art of war, by which she is now pro6.ing
In the of 1912 her soldiers heard the sharp crack
of the American RIFLE, and felt the mortal effect Of its
deadly aim.
And American Volunteers in the war with Mexico
opened her eyes the value of those elite and nvnci
BILE troops, the offspring of free and brave people
And 10 day she has her schools for rihemen, and an
organic alton of her volunteers and stands ready to defy
only France with her half million of hired soldiers
but all the woIld-should they attempt to invade her
soil.
Volunteers of Virginia The shock of the pending
revolution may have to be met and hurled back by
you.
led How you to be controlled, directed and CON-
handed you be led like sheep to the slaughter
by those who know not how to command Have you
nothing to say in regard to those vital quesonsques
tons vital not only to yourselves but to your postery
and itmsy be to yonr country, and TO liberty.
You are freemen, and will think and act and speak
for yourselves You have personal and individual
interests at stake than others and therefore double
right to speak aud to be heard
1t is proposed then, to hold Convention of the vol
uueer officers of the State 10 Richmond, at early
day practicable Its hoped this call will be seconded by
the volunteers throughout the State and acted upon with
promptness aud spirit which the crisis demands. Ii is
further proposed that the Convention shall be composed
of all commissioned officers of volunteer companies
throughout the State, and such non.commissoned Off
privates to exceed two from each company,
and finally it is proposed that all members OF the Con-
vention shall attend the Convention in full dress uniform
with side arms.
An OFFICER OF VOLUNTEERS.