Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-11-05
The Governors Aide

uoV. vance was scarcely warm in his seat before
ne was assailed by the Register, because he had
thought proper to continue the office of Surgeon
General, and to appoint couple of Aids, in the
persons of COL Barnes and Col. Little We have
already shown that the Office of Surgeon General
was indispensable to sick and wounded soldiers;
and we now assert that with the views entertained
by Gov Vance in relation to State defence at least
two Aids are necessary to enable him to discharge
mis- onerous duties
1t is obvious, from the whole course of the Cover
nor as well as from the manifestations public opin-
ion in his election that it was and is his intention
to raise troops to protect coast the event Of
the Confederate Government being unable to afford
the protection necessary. But the Governor is
powerless without the action of the Legislature.
Hence he notified the Council of State to assemble,
to advise with him in relation to converting the
Legislature some two weeks earlier than the usual
time. If that body had responded to his call, the
Legislature would most probably have been in ses-
sion aoao, making provision for approaching danger.
1t would be impossible for him. with less than two
Aids to dispatch all civil business as it should be
dispatched, and at the same time bring into the
field, and command, it may be, eight or ten regi-
ments of troops. Under the former administration,
no such policy was contemplated, and hence, it
might we'll be supposed that two Aids, with Pri-
vate Secretary, were not necessary. Then, there
was only peace establishment so far as the Cover
nor was concerned; and then the Adjutant General,
as he does now, had the immediate control, under
the Governor, of the militia and attended to the
transfer OF the volunteer regiments as they were
raised, to the Confederate Government.
In addition to this, the Executive Office is now
open to aII 1t is almost constantly thronged with
persons-with officers, soldiers, citizens-who call
to see the Governor on business or to obtain nfor-
nation. Every one is civilly received and respect
fully listened to. As the official head of the peo-
pie, and at the same time their servant the Cover
nor abors to hear and do justice to all. This labor
is, in itself, very heavy; and from what we have
seen of it, we fear that the health of the Governor
aided as he is by the two gentlemen referred to,
will ultimately give way under it. There is no man
in the State to whom SO many look, and on whom so
many hopes rest, as on Gov. Vance. We say this
in no spirit of fattery, but as the simple truth
He estimates justly, We believe the responsible
ties which are upon him; and he has seen too much
of human nature, though yet young man, and
has too much sound common sense to be injurious
ly affected by the position which he fills in the pub
lie eye He is the same plain, honest straightfor-
ward, laborious man that he was in former days ;
and though naturally kind-hearted he can be Sc
verely just upon those under his control who are
either faithless or negligent in duty.
Under these circumstances, while an earnest ad-
vocate of economy in public expenditures, We think
that GOV. Vance did right in securing the services
| of both Col Little and Col Barnes; and we believe
vast majority Of people agree with US in opin-
ion notwithstanding the sudden opposition to off.
GERS and Office holding evinced by our unhappy
neghbor of the Register.