Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-16

| to movements in large bodies, oy orisaues Ut
divisions.
The object of this resolution is to inquire
where they can be concentrated in order that
they may be instructed in movements of large
bodies Of troops, so that if the invader comes
they may be able to beat him back. Stand
Mr. President. in front Of regiment or bat
TALON ofvolnntecrs now organized in Virginia,
and you will see that it is composed Of the
very elite Of the education, talent and courage
Of the State-of young men who, by high quail
tiles Of virtue, honor and chiyalry are not only
invaluable to their country, but the pride, the
glory, the idols OF the houses to which they be
long. Sir, scout and scorn the idea thst the
blood of these men, or Of any other men is too
good to be shed for Virginia. But, in the name
Of humanity, ofjustice, Of even sordid econo-
my, if it is to be shed, let it not be in vain; let
it lie shed when it will insure the safety and hon
or OF the State, and no, be thrown away These
considerations, sir, demand that the volunteers
should DO instructed in bodies Us large as those
which will be sent against them. | am in ia
yor Of appointing committee of this body To
mature bill setting forth fully ana accurately
q plan to instruct the troops and insure the
safety Of the State When Il bill is matured,
this body, which represents tho sove.
reignty Of the State, can instruct the Legisla-
turv 10 carry it ou:. | am opposed
to leaving the subject 10 the Legislature, be.
C; use tkey have haG the matter under consid-
Grafton io- more than year, and have done
nothing but make an appropriation, which has
been attended with the result | have already
mentioned. Even il committee of the Legis.
luture were ut work upon the subject, (and
none is that / know OIL see no reason why
one OF this body may not also be at work ut
the same time-'n multitude Of cOunscllOrs
there is wisdom" IL you ask members of the
Legislature why such bill is not matured,
they tel! you they ara waiting for the action
of the Convention; and If you press Oh mem.
bers Of the Convcnticn the necessity Of this
provision, they tel you that it is the peculiar
ard appropriate business 0f the Legislature. ]
fear that between the two the Common
wealth will 60 undeiended presume that
no member Of this Convention is willing
10 leave this State defencele=s, in the
present complications Of pnbir affairs; BIZ.
if there is one who is willing SO to leave
her, hope he will not oppose this mere rcso.
lalion Of enquiry, but will postpone his oppo.
siton until bill is reported in accordance with
the spirit of the resolution, il it should be the
pleasure of the Convention to appoint com.
mtLec upon the subject. Sir, the idle gascon-
ade Of would.be brave meu and wise men is all
that is now being dono to defend the State.
This mere boasting is not only disgusting,
but dispiri;ing, and to some extent, Luluil:a-
ting. II is the bravado Of men Who in times
of public peril, never were, and ne7er will i,-,
found among the defenders Of thei. ccuC;ry.
Above this cackia Of geese-this barking OF
| a., 4 Of
which |, for one, always reverence: It is the
majestic voice Of the true and sovereign
people, which rises above the din iik.
the mighty bu: musica! roar Of noble
ocean and that voice says in tones Of thun-
der, tri6e not with the safety Of tho State
| With that deep oarnestuess and feeling which
is the evidence of sincerity, the people implore
You to save their property, their wives and
children from the knife Of the assassin their
cities from being laid in ashes their beautiful
and blooming forest homes from the sacri,e seous
| hands Of the heartless invader. Whether the
Suite Of Virginia is to fulfil tho magnificent
destiny which would be hers at the head OF the
glorious Southern column, or ia to march as
mere file closer in rear of a Northern Con!eder.
acy, it is equally incumbent upon her true and
| loyal sons, to clothe her with such material
power that she shall be able to ensure safety and
10 command respect, and u keep proudly noas
| ing over her that radiant standard, On which is
cmb,azoned arms and a motto dear TO ireeHcn,
formidable to tyrants, and so blended with all
the gloricS Of the State
Mr.. EARLY-l hope the Convention will not
take up this resolution. The last branch Of it
will require military reconnaissance Of the
State and il will require the employment Of
competent military Typographical engineers to
ascertain at what point bodies Of troops
could be concentrated for the purpose Of de-
fence Of the State. takeit that if We are to
| hare a war we are not TO disclose our SYSTEM
Of defence and attack beforehand. These llra.-
iers ought to be left ~ the officers upon whom
the duty OF defending the State will lie &c.
| Yn.Tsd
Mr.. RIcnARDsoN-The gentleman has tho
roughly and entirely Inexperienced the object
of the resolution. There is not one syllable
ia tee resolution abont the points where these
bodies Of troops should be concentrated for
the defence OF the State. The resolution sim.
ply provides that the Adiutant General shall
indicate the points where these companies can
be assembled, not to defend the State, but 10
be instructed. 10 illustrate: The returns in
the Adjutant Generals Office, and they alone,
show the location Of the different companies o:
volunteers. Now, suppose those returns show
that there arc twenty companies in ten miles Of
Staunton. These twenty companies will form
two regiments, or 4 brigade then Staunton is
the proper place to concentrate these two rcgi-
nens for brigade drill.
Again: suppose these returns show that
there are forty companies near Richmond
These forty companies make division; then
Richmond is The proper place to embody them
| for instruction in division evo!utions. Ia other
words, the resolution simply calls for infprnA-
ton.
Again, the gentleman is mistaken as 10 ano-
thc- fact IL saysit will require TIE employ
,nert Of Nh engineer 70 select these points,
thereby holding out the idea that it will COST
the State something. There & nothing in this
| objection The resolution seeks OF the Adju-
taut General information as TO the points where
the volunteers can be concentrated TO be in
structed in brigades and divisions. II that
officer mas the information he will report it, if
not, he will so stnte, and there will be an end
Of it; no reference is made to All engineer.
Mr. BRowN If nm correctly informed, the
Legislature las had under consideration bill
| for arming the State and raising the means ne
cessery for that purpose They have appro-
priated, as understand, million Of dollars for
that purpose. They have other bills in pro-
gross, and as they are taking action upon this
subject, think that We had better let them
alone The Legislature is the proper and le-
gitimate body to prepare the State for war. both
| in regard to money and men.
Mr. RlcuAgpsos.-l will merely say to the
gentleman who has just taken his seat, that he
II mistaken in regard to the action OF the
Legislature stated, while since, that the
! Legislature had had this subject under conside-
ration for more than Year and they have done
nothing except to make an appropriation
They have naiured no plan. If you 80 to the
Legislature and ask them why they are not do
ing anything, they tell yoa that they are wait
ing for The Convention, and when you get UP
here ard ask the ssms question, you are iold
that !nsy ARE waiting fer the Legislature. So
! between the Legislature aud The Convention,