Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-18
For the Standard.
PLAN FOR THE RE. oRGANIZATION OF THE
ARMV


PLAN FOR THE RE. ORGANIZATION OF THE
ARMY.
Mr. EDITOR: 1 see in Richmond paper that " a
plan for the reorganization Of the army, drawn up
by experienced officer of the army, is before the
Legislature of Virginia 1t is proposed to consider
all the Virginia troops now in the field drafted Tor
the war. see also that the Richmond Examiner
advises the Confederate Government to ORDER the
troops in the field to remain. cannot believe
that the proposition before the Virginia Legislature
will meet with much favor, that if such propo-
sition should be adopted, other States will follow
the precedent There is no telling however, what
men who have kept aloof from the privations and
dangers of the camp may be induced to enact con-
corning those actually in the field 1t is scarcely
probable the Confederate government will attempt
to follow the advice of the Examiner But lest the
General and State governments should be infatu-
ated as to attempt the line of policy suggested, it is
proper the people should speak their own minds on
the subject
The government cannot do every thing it wants
to do. 1t is a weak thing, without the sympathy
and cooperation Of the people, and am certain that
large majority oil the people will consider such an
act as that proposed as unequal unit st and OPP
preSsive. When the government called for twelve
months volunteers, it did not once occur to those
chIvalrouS men who offered their services in re-
Spouse to this CALL that when their heads were once
in the moose they were to he deprived of freedom,
|
term of enlistment. 1t seems to me- that in so do
ing, the government would be acting in bad faith to
| the volunteers.
If the time should ever come, when the South
will need all her lighting men in the field, why then
| the soldiers now in the service will yield cordial
obedience to their country's demand But if a part
are to fight and part are to remain at home, by
what show of justice can those who have al
ready voluntarily served their country for twelve
| months be compelled to continue in the service
| while those who have all this time been ENJOYING
domestic sweets are permitted to remain at home.
Many who are now in the service will doubtless re-
enlist for the war-but very few of them will cheer
| fully submit to the wholesale drafting proposed
There are men in the army that ought to be at
| home-the condition of their families demands it
while there are many at home who ought to be in
the army-there is nothing in their circumstances
| to excuse them from the service. 1t seems to me,
then that it would be wrong to force the former to
remain in the service while the latter are permitted
to go at large. If the government adops the draft
| ing system, | doubt not that the twelve months
volunteers will be willing to 20 home and take their
chances along with other citizens, Even this would
hardly be fair but it would certainly be much more
just and equal than the wholesale drafting suggested
| have had an opportunity of personal acquaint-
with the officers and prvates of several regi-
ments now in the service, and hesitate not to pre-
| dict that if the government should undertake to
compel the volunteers now in the field. to remain
after their term of service has expired it acU find
itself oithOut the pOcer to succeed In the attempt
! There would be a revolution in revolution. A
greater fuss would arise than has been seen in
| the South | am happy, however, to believe that
the government will not find it necessary to resort
| to such an arbitrary measure. The hearts of the
| people are with the government in this war; A
| large proportion of the troops i'll the service
will certainly re-enlist for the war, without drafting
and hundreds of thousands at home only wait
ing for vacancies in the service to occar when they
will rush into them with an enthusiasm equal to
that manifested at the beginning of the war.
| VOLUNTEER.
| Ian 1860