The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-11-26
IN u 5 $ A G u
His Exeellency, Gov. z. B. VANCE,
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
NORTH CAROLINA.
The Honorable the General assembly;
Certainly Legislature has never been
convened in the State of North Carolina TO
protect greater interests or meet greater
responsibilities.
Eighteen months ago, when the State en-.
tered into The war which is now waglng, all
was lille and buoyancy and excitement. Ihe
no,elty Of our undertaking, and The enthu-
.iasm Of our people in supporting our cause
no, only rendered the course oil the Legis-
lalure and the Executive easy, but actual
ly preceded and marked il out. But the
long continuance Of the contest, the slaugh-
ter of our soldiers, the occupation OF our
territory by the enemy. the destruction OF
our hnmes, and the blockaded condition OF
our coast, have reduced US 10 straits, and
given rise TO class oi evils. in the presence
of which ephemeral patriotism must perish.
ahd the tinsrl enthusiasm of noyelty give
place TO that stern and determined deyo-
tipn 10 our cause, which alone can sustain
a revolution.
Il now becomes the duty Of you. the Ge.
neral Assembly, 10 set an example 10 your
constituents u frmness, prudence, deter
mination aud energy 10 correct the errors
u the past. 10 provide for the exigencies OF
the future. and 10 use well and wisely the
power vested in your body BY the consti. !.
iniion for the protection Of our rights and
lib.rties.
The subject oi the first importance is the
prosecution uf the war, aud the means oi
defending the State against the invasion Of
the enemy. The Legislature. BY several
acts in 1861. provided that, IN case the
Confederate Government should fail or neg
lect 10 provide for the defence Of North
Carolina, the Governor shall be authorized
tn raise certain number Of troops for that
purpose. aud made appropriations Of money
ior their suppnrt. Impressed with the de-
irncelrss condition uf our eastern counties
when came into office. had fully deter
mined 10 avail yself of this authority, and
would have proceeded at once 10 do 50.
but lnr The intervention Of insurmountable
difficulties. The principal Of these was the
cnnseripi law passed BY the Confederate
Congress subsequent to the passage of the
several acts referred 10. BY this Law. as
extended 10 its provisions short time be-
lore the adjournment OF Congress. all able
hodlcd men between the ages Of eighteen
and iorty i've years, became liable - en-
rollment - soldiers of the Confederate
States To raise an adequate force Tor
State defence from aur citizens beyond the
age OF iorty-6,e, and submit 20 tie vast
drain besides. thought entirely impracti.
cable. ! hoped. tno. that by aiding aud as.
slsting In the execution nf the ennscripi
lan. ! w"uld be chectually providing for
STATE defence. This reasonable hope has
lregfet 10 aay, been disappointed; aud al.
though North Carolina has greater extent
u sra.coast than any other State, she ha.
lad fewer troops given her FOR its defence
u is not necessary, gentlemen. that
>hould call your attention To the abounding
Nralth ul this threatened ssctiun uf onl
siatr--lillrd with everything neee.saryifol
tlr comfort of our army aud our people
u tnthc suffering aud ruin u IT. loyal. pa.
iratic inhabitants. You are suIlic,entl,
hinmcd IN regard thereto. Il i Tor YOU
therefore, To say. whether YOU will suiier
ot- deicnees rs heretofore to remain exclu.
'heiy in the hands Of tae Confederate au.
'haililes, or take steps 10 carey out the vii
u tie lasl Legislature. and raI.e trpop,
npugh on State authority to strengthen ihs
weak hand ul the G,neral Government OF
tar coast.
snhssilatingly recommend tile raising
y al least ten regiments II reserves, 70 be
aeerpied for three or Tour months. and dis.
missed in time to pitch their crops in the
Spring.
This lorce, auxiliary 10 the Confederate
troops. would probably be able to prevent
an advance Of the enemy iniU the interior