Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-09-24
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

FELLOW CITIZENS Under the pow
err granted by the Constitution Of our
State, l have convened you at this time
in order to lay before you several matters
of great importance, which. in my opin-
ion, require immediate action on your
part. In this time of public commotlon
and danger it behooves us all, and espe-
ciallv those who are placed at the head
of the Commonwealth, to examine care
fully and closely our situation, and, II
possible, to guard against dangers that
NAV suddenly arise, and finding us UNI
prepared, bring upon us endless troubles
and misery. In this respect VIC have
learned much within the last year. Had
the full extent and power of the Southern
rebellion been understood by the loyal
people had their full strength been
sooner called into activity-we should
not now have to lament the recent rever-
ses of our arms, and again see our Capt.
tot beleaguered and in danger. When,
prior to Your adjournment, the President
of the United States had called for an adj
ditioual seventy five thousand men to
strengthen our national army, we all
fondly hoped that that would be tie last
call for troops, and rested in perfect secu-
rity,.. relying upon the army then ID the
field and the latent power in the North.
We were sadly mistaken. Six hundred
thousand more men have since then been
called for, and while every cAeiton IS
made to send them to the Iescue, our ar
nv is compelled to retreat before an enc
INV superior in numbers. Week after
week necessarily passes in the herculean
task of organization, and the new troops
are hurried to the field without having
had time to learn the most necessary mill
tary drill and discipline. What valuable
ti,no has not been lost because most Of
the States were utterly unprepared to
meet the call of the nation This may
not DO the last call for troops. The ma
ton should not again be found sleeping
while the gigantic struggle lasts; and it
rests with the people of the several loyal
States to prepare themselves for future
emergencies.
Again il is evident that, to meet fur
Their calls, it is necessary to rely upon
system of drafting or CONSUMPTION, and
whatever may have been the popular pre-
JUDGE against this system, it will soon be
generally conceded that this IS The true
and best mode Of speedily calling cut the
militia power of the country. Bat n or
der to make this system 4 Just, equitable
and effective enc. legislation Is necessary. /
When the call Of the President was made
for the 100000 drafted militia. no law
existed or does now exist i'll our State,
for drafting, and hence l hal to rely up
on regulations of the War Department to
answer the call. The enrolment of the
militia had for Yeas been neglected in
our State, and although | had long be-
fore called upon the Assessors 10 make
the enrolment as required, found that
in the absence Of proper regulations for
that purpose, such enrolment would be
utterly incomplete and inefficient. Prompt
action was necessary, and hence, l IN
struc.ed the Sherifls of the counties to
make the enrolment, which is probably
now completed throughout the State.
The apportionment of the number of
men required from each town, city, ward,
or county, should have been based upon
the number Of men liable to military du
ty therein. but in the absence of any en-
rollment, could only make such appor
tionment according to the number of in
habitants. Volunteering being permitted
10 given date only by the General Gov
eminent to apply on the drafted militia,
it became necessary TO assign at least to
each county its quota of men Immediate
ly, and that could only be done according
10 the number Of inhabitants; and even
now it will not be practicable to make an
other apportionmeut, as that would re-
qnire-returns of the enrolled militia from
the entire state, which have not yet
reached us, and further delay than is alb
soutely necessary would not DO warrant
ell by the critical condition of our coun-
Try. Whatever number, therefore, may
he required to fill our quota for the past
calls of the Government, will have TO be
drafted under regulations already made.
1t seems also hardly proper, and Ger
tainly is contrary to the regulations die
tated ty long experience in other coun-
tries, where conscr;p.;ou has always and
docs now exist, that all the able bodied
men between tie ages Of Is and 80 sho'd
10 called upon TO draw lets without anv
regard to other circumstances. In my
view, men between Is and So years
of age should first be called out and that
class exhausted before men between 80
and IS should be compelled to go. A
distinction might also properly be made
between married and unmarried men;
exemptions should be made, as in all civ
iized countries, in certain cases where of
the same family several are already in
the service and one has remained at home
as the support of the family.
In case of further demand for troops,
State regulations, under the sanction of
the legislative power should exist for these
and other points.
A few weeks ago The public was star
tied and shocked by the news of an In
dian raid and massacre in one of our
neighboring States. This attack of the
savages in Minnesota, was followed i'm
mediately by calls upon me from our own
frontier in the northern and northwest
ern part of the State, for arms, ANN uni
tiOn md mon So fer a. I,v -, 49,, ,Dov,