Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-10
The Governors Message.

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The Message of Gov. HARRIS. submitted to
the Legislature Tuesday and published in
our impression of yesterday, is an exceeding
" abe and Interesting State paper. 1t sets
out with succinct yet comprehensive review
of the present condition Of the country and
the events which produced it. treating the
subject with the ability. candOr and Judgment
of the philosophical statesman Whilst con-
eeding to all the other States which have
borne part in the struggle for Southern
Independence the merit which is due them,
the message pays special tribute to Tennes-
see, the patriotism and gallantry of her sons,
for what they have Accomplished. Having
no military organization" it says, sand al
most without arms, and destitute of authori-
ty to raise troops or procure arms until the
passage of the act of the 9th Of May last,
within less than two months from the passage
of this act, thirty thousand volunteers were
organized and thrown into the held" ''In
addition to the Provisional Army of the
State, number of regiments have been rails
ed for Confederate service, making in the
aggrs gate ihirty-eight infantry regiments,
seven cavalry batIalions and sixteen artille-
~ companies which Tennessee has contribu-
ted to the common Defense" The work done
under the direction of the Military and FL
nancial Board, in furnishing these troops
with arms. munitions, clothing, and subsis-
tence was of herculean nature, but ii was
performed in the most systematic and salts
factory manner. The expenditures in this
department amoant to 81, 637, 1913 II, and
the balance due will consume the entire five
millions appropriated by the State.
The message does not fail to make suitable
acknowledgment of the great and important
services which have been rendered, in this
crisis, by the women of Tennessee. His re-
ference to them is appropriate and eloquent.
Without the aid, SO nobly and voluntarily
rendered by the fair daughters of the State,
how great might have been the privatiOns
and suffefings of our soldiers.
Neither does the message omit an earnest
and emphatic rebuke of the spirit Of specula-
ton which is taking advantage of the pecu-
liar circumstances OF the times to reap exOr-
bitant profits from the necessities of the gov
eminent, and the wants of the people," 1t is
due to the great masses of our State, that this
spirit should be repressed by stringent legis-
lation; and we indulge the hope that the
Legislature will discharge its duty on the
subject boldly and effectively. Let the axe
be applied to the root of this evil, before it
produces further distress and drives an in
dignant people to take their protection in
their own hands.
The attention of the Legislature is also
called TO the subject of redistricting the
State; a duty which, We doubt not, will be
promptly discharged.
The fiscal condition of the State is shown
to be good, there being a balance in the
Treasury on the LIST inst. of S1S5, 496 r.
1t is recommended that the Legislature pro-
vide for the payment of the tax to be collected
from the people of Tennessee. to go into the
Treasury of the Confederate States, for the
purpose of paying the principal and interest
of the public debt. and supporting the Gov
eminent. By so doing, ten per cent. on the
tax can be saved to the people, and the annoy
ance of Confederate States tax gatherers
avoided We trust that this recommends
ton of the message will receive the favorable
consideration of the Legislature. There are
a number Of other subjects mentioned in the
message, all together embracing every de
partment of the State Government, but we
do not propose to specify them. The reader
will refer TO the message for them.
We are gratifed to fad the following par
agraphs in the message. We trust they viii
impress upon members the Importance of
the utmost vigilance in the performance of
their duties, and of legisIatiug as little as
possible. Too much legislation has been one
of the evils of our State:
The universal interest felt in this impor-
tant struggle. involving as it does, the destiny
of Republic, and the independence of a
great people. renders the dry details of or
binary legislation distateiul to the public
mind. The important duties, however.
which are imposed upon the State Govern
ment by the pending conflict, demands at our
hands the strictest scrutiny into all of its de-
partmenS, in order that it may be made full
ly equal 70 such emergencies as may proba-
bly, arise
The necessities of the civil government,
however. demand very little legislation, ex-
cept such as may be necessary to its econom-
ical administration and the development OF
ali our internal resources.
We commend the entire message to the
careful reading of the people. They will
learn from il much that is useful and enter
tanning; and will feel proud that they have,
in the struggle for Southern Independence.
had the advantage of the services of wise,
prudent and courageous executive.