The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-10-10

rs. If sucl, officers as the governor deems
necessary. do not attend at the place of rem
devious. or If the governor shall be satisfied
that they will not attend, he may appoint from
the counties from which the detachments are
called forth, so many officers, as may seem to
him proper for the said detachments."
The contingency contemplated by the con-
stitation, and provided for by the act, had oc-
CURED, not only in my estimation; but also in
the opinion of the general assembly, as they
had conclusiyely indicated in the passage Of
the law authorizing tie raising of a state force
of ten thousand men, to be placed under the
command Of Major General Floyd. When
this act was passed, the legislature unquess
tionabiy believed the force to be needed for
the defence of the people Of Western Virginia;
the reclamation If the territory then desecrat-
ed by the invading hosts Of Lincoln, and the
re-establishment of the laws in those counties
which had been taken possession OF by the
usurped government inaugurated at Wheeling:
Volunteers to fill this state line did not
come forward as promptly as the legislature
| or supposed they would: and considering it
important to raise theforce rs speedily as pos
sible considered it my duty to adopt such
constitutional and legal means as were within
reach. to accomplish it, At the time Iofder-,
ed the militia to report to Major Gen. Floyd;
nearly one-half of the territory of Virginia
was in the possession and under the controlof
the public enemy; government had been in
augurated; laws enacted: officers appointed;
the authority of the righ,ful government Of.
Virginia repudiated: peaceful and quiet cit-
zens arrested and imprisoned, and held in
confinement until they would agree to take an
| oath of allegiance to the lincoln government;
| others, upon fictitious charges, arrested, and
| after going through the forms of trial, con-
I IL.
at w ashingt m, where they yetrenlain. THY
al congress, pretending TO represent this COM
monwealth; the Judicial officers of the state
| had been deposed by the Wheeling Legislature,
and elections held TO supply their places. All
these things had been done. Every thing ne-
/ cessary 10 show the existence of ga combind-
ton :. for dismemberiRg The state" and "esfat.
7ishing ia'' seport Of THIS s,ute a separate go
cernn,ent," in the language Of the act, was
/ then palpal,le to every one. The existence Of
an ..farasion,' in the language Of the consti-
tuition, was patent. In making the CALL /
was acting in strait conformity not only with
the spirit but the letter Of the constitution
and this act of the legislature.
The law regulating the term of service (see
Code, chapter 80. section ~, declares:
/ s:The militia when called into service by
|
| ter their arrival at the place, of rendezvous,
unless sooner discharged. But the governor
shall at all times have power to retain them
| in service for such time as the militia in the
service Of the Confederate States may be re-
tanned by authority ef congress. -
| This militia, when called into service, was
to remain six months; but intend, in the Ian
guage of the law, ssfo retain them an serriees
FIR a period of twelve months, the term of SER
vice prescribed in the act establishing the
state line, if the interests Of Virginia required
! It.
Whenever a call has been made forst the mi
| Htia, either by myself or by the generals in
command Of confederate forces, it has become
| common with those called upon to render SER
vice, to question the authority, and thus dis
content and dissatisfaction lraye been Great
ed. operating most mischereusly, seriously
imparing the value of this arni relied upon
for the public defence. This spirit ought to-
be discountenanced and put down, and / APP
peal to the general assembly to- give me their
aid III seaport in effrctually crushing it.
Respectfully.
10JIN ETCIJER