The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-07

1888. The political friends of the present Ad-
mlnistration. we'll knowing that there was no law
on the statute book under which the President
could use military force in the States from which
the Federal Judges, Marshals, and other civil
officers had been expelled, urged Congress at its
last session to enact laws comforting on him such
authority. The Journals of that body will show
that bills for the purpose were pressed with the
utmost pertnacity, and also that they were not
enacted into laws
lie usurped the coveted powers which Congress
has refused to confer on him, and whilst Commits
sioners Of the Confederate States at the seat
Of government urging peaceful settlement Of all
questions in dispute and striving to avert from the
country the caamities of war-whlst the people
were being deluded by daily protestaions from
the President of his firm purpose to preserve the
peace, and we were in momentary expectation Of
hearing that Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor
had been evacuated secret expedition was fitted
out and stealthily dispatched to commence the
war; by an atteuIpt to throw reinforcements into
that ratification. To high crimnality involving
the country in civil war, was added base perfdy
in exciting hopes and expectations to be dashed at
the moment of fruition.
Having thus commenced the war; the President
prctcncc that the act Of 1895 confers on him
power to do SO, issued proclamation calling
the States to furnish seventy five thousand men
for carrying it OH, and the Secretary of War ofci-
ally informed me that North Carolina was expect
&c to furnish two Regiments to aid the North in
subjugating her sister States we light with pro-
prlety say of some OF them her daughters-of the
South. | promptly replied to that functionary that
81 regard levy OF troops for the purpose OF sub
jugating the States Of the South in violation of
the Constitution and an usurpation of power. l
can be no party to this wicked violation of the
Laws of the country, and to this war upon the lib
critics of IA free people. You can get no troops
from North Carolina"
The outburst of Indignation with which the Pro
clamation of the President has been received by
all the citizens of the State, convinces nc that l
did not mistake the people whose Chief Magistrate
am. The alacrity with which they have sprung
to arms, Outs;ripping the slow forms of law, and
enabling me to assemble an army from the pillow
and the workshop in less tine than it has required
10 convene the General Assembly, is proof that
long years of peace and order have only made more
dear to them their rights and liberties, and have
not in the least impaired their readiness and their
ability to defend them.
Under the advice the Council of State have
established at the seat of Government Camp of
Instruction, to which | have ordered such troops
as are ready for service and not needed for
the protection of the seaboard.
A usurper who had already seized the sword
without authority Of law and was using it against
his own countrymen, could not with safety to the
State be allowed to establish himself in the strong
holds and fortified places within our limits. L,
therefore, in discharge Of plain obi gait devolv
ing on me as Governor of the State, and In virtue
of the powers vested in Governor and Cap
tain General aud Commander in Chief of the
militia, lost tine in taking possession, In the
name of the State of the Forts Arsenals and other
property of the Federal Government within the
State, and they now held under my orders by
adequate garrisOns.
| will in due time lay before you statement of
the property thus taken into possession soon as
reports can be prepared by the proper departments
Experience having brought to light radical de-
fccts in the laws for the organization of the mill
tary forces of the State invite your early atten-
tion to the subject. 1t is believed that the legs
lation of your late session has not materially i'm
proved our military system; and have no hesita-
ton in expressing the opinion that the existing
laws are wholly inadequate to the emergency that
is upon torbear making suggestions IN detail
upon this subject, and will content myself merely
with remarking that the military regulations Of
other countries, especially those renowned for
achievements in arms, should not be lost sight of
ia the trying necessity by which we are surrounded.
The efficiency of this branch of the public service
requires, in my opinion, a thorough revision and
modification of existing Legislation on the subject.
would respectfully recommend the raising and
war, and that appropriate bounties be offered to
all persons thus enlisting.
Of the sum of three hundred thousand dollars
appropriated at your late session for arming the
State, have expended $50, 320. 55-which amount
will be increased by outstanding contracts to the
further sum of 900 or thereabouts
The State being at present provided with arms
would recommend that the remainder of this appro-
pration be directed to the preparation of munitions
of war and the manufacture of arms that may be
hereafter be needed. The Arsenal at Fayetteville
is in all respects suitable location for the prosecu
ton of such works
Our seaboard defenccs are Of the utmost impor-
lance and have engaged large share Of the atten-
ton of this department Specific plans for the
construction of new works and making good our
defence in that quarter will with propriety be
laid before the proper committees of your body.
An expenditure has been made for various pur
poses, connected with the defence of the State,
the details and amount of which will be eommuni-
Gated to you by the proper officers. portion of
it has been advanced by private individuals and
portion remains unpaid. Adequate means should
be provided to meet this expenditure and also to
enable the State to carry on the war In defence of
its rights and liberties.
1t gives me pleasure to acknowledge the timely
and important aid rendered me by the Governors
of Virginia and South Carolina towards placing
our Notifications on the coast in defensible
condition. Icheerfuly reel procated his favor to
the extent of my ability by sending to the Cover
nor of Virginia a portion of the arms in our
rb oh ooulI vepianfiV he Syared