Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-01
Gov. Harris ana she Militia.

Gov. Harris and she mtlttias
In the entire absence of the facts upon which the
action of an Executive is based, and especially in
times of rapidly changing and singular exigencies
like the present, it would be unreasonable to sup
pose that the popular understanding would clearly
comprehend the propriety Of ell that is done
Much must go before the public in a maHner that
will invite criticism, privilege in which but few
of US are spsring or considerate, and yet when
fairly tested those criticisms viii not unfrequenty
prove unfoundsd and absurd, even to our own
minds Great forbearanee should therefore, be
exercised by the public towards those whom we
have selected to discharge for us the most grave
and difficult duties, connected with our present
struggle for national independence.
Fortunately, in the case of our distinguished Gov
ernor, the wisdom Of his counsels have been so
frequently verified and his impartial patriotism so
fully tested, that we have found comparatively,
little disposition with our people to question his
motives or criticise his policy And yet, the con-
fusion and seeming contradiction attending the call
for soldiers within the last few months, warrant >
word of explanation, in justice to Gov. HARRIS as
well as to the public.
In doing this, we will first suggest what many
seem totally to ignore that the action Of the Gov
ernor has been and must be secondary and respon>
sive to the representations and demands of mil
itary Ichieftains in the field. These authorities
arc presumed to understand the necessities that
surround them, and may rightfully expect that
their opinions will be respected and their requests
complied with.
Some six weeks since an urgent demand was
made by Gen. JOHNSTON for thirty thousand addition
al troops from Tennessee. Gov. HARRIS may have
thought it wise to lessen the call in view of the
scarcity of arms and similar acquisitions that were
being made for troops from other States General
JOHNSTON, for special reasons, believed it better to
put the troops into camp and let them be preparing
for efficient service than to await the anticipated
procurement of arms, and then be delayed in the
raising of troops and in preparing them for the
field. But small proportion of the force had been
placed in camp until the War Department at Rich
mond-for reasons which it is not oar province to
enquire into-issued orders to Gen. JOHNSTON for
their DISARMAMENT, which orders were sus
pended at the urgent request of Governor
HARRIS until, as q last resort, effort might
be made for the procurement of such domestic
arms as would save our gallant volunteers from
the modification of having to abandon the service
his proclamation to that effect the necessity OF
which could not by many be misunderstood. II
thus became apparent to the public that the gov
ernment could not be looked to for the arnllng Of
such body of troops, and the natural effect was
to dsband the companies in course Of formation
and discourage volunteering. And yet surely ne
one, with this insight into the facts can see augh
10 criticise in the action of the Governor and i
would certainly be iIibersl even to bestow censur'
upon any other authority. No one who has even &
faint conception of the innumerable obstacles ant
disappointments under which our Government ant
State officials are compelled to act, should be 81
unre ssonable as to require satisfactory public
explanation of everything that puzzles the under
standing and disappoints our hopes.
More recently, and in the face of this discourage
ment to volunteering, new developments were made
to our Generals in command at Columbus anC
Bowling Green, threatening a speedy invasion o
our State by superior force of the enemy re
curing, in the opinion of those Generals, such
reinforcement of our troops for the immediate exi
gency as could only be hoped for by call upOl
the militia of the State, and an imprsssment Of do
mestic arms to be placed in their hands. An in
crease of the volunteer force was preferable, bu
there were strong probabilities that the rein force
ments would be needed before the requisite nun
Der could be raised. Hence the propriety of sue
an order as would meet the emergency, and at th
same time furnish such of our citizens as preferre
enlisting in the volunteer service opportunit
of doing so.
Gov. HARK1s, as the Chief Executive Of the Statt
has had to act in accordance with the informatio
and acquisitions of the military authorities of tn
Government The demands Of the military author
tiles have been shaped, modified and controlled b
the movements and uncertain information obtaine
of the common enemy. The circumstances of Il
day may not suit the necessities Of tomorrow
More or less of uncertainty, difficulty and dout
will necessarily attend and influence our action
We are far from a condition of having things as "
would wish them 1t would be the height Of fol-
for the indiscriminate public to expect to undel
stand the propriety of every movement, for th
reason that many of the facts upon which tbes
movements are based are of such character tina
in view of the enemy, it would be highly imprope
to Mace before them. We would have suppose
that reason so palpable in itself would hay
readily occurred to the mind of every one.
In an emergency like the present. intelligent pi
triotism would suggest that we should cultivate a
sbiding faith in the wisdom and integrity Of Il
man whom we have elected to lead Us throag
the periIs of the hour. While it would be unre
sonable to suppose that they will not, in many i
stances find themselves in error, it would be equa
Iy unreasonable to suppose that our common caui
can be profited by the indulgence of spirit of u
generous faultfnding, distracting counsels, in
pairing the general confidence so essential to 81
cess, and paralyzng the arms of those brave me
both in the cabinet and the field, who are taxir
every energy and making every sacrifice for Il
success of our cause and the preservation of. OF
rights.
WHEAT-We understand some transactions
this article first quality, have been made here til