American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-11-28
Extra Session of the Legislature.

Several of our contemporaries of the press and
their correspondents earnestly advocating the
converting of the Legislature in extraordinary ses-
sion. We see, also, that large and enthusiastic
meeting of the citizens of Yallabusha county was
held in Grenada Tuesday last at which resolu-
tions passed urging the same measure. 1t is
altogether probable that Gov. Pettus will respond
fayorably TO these suggestions and call the Legislx
ture together in few days. q IL it were done when
= done, then Z were web it we're done quickly.
Tha: is to say. if the reading object tor which the
Legislature is to be congeked, viz. the angmenta-
ton of militia fierce for State defense, shall
succeed then there Is not day to be lost Indeed
we doubt if it is not already too late to accomplish
she end desired. 90 cali oat the militia all
over IG ard under co. as some propose--to arm,
eqip' .s.t instruct them in the drill that they
shall he efficient soldiers in the field will req,ire
from .ortytD sixty days. Should the Abolitionists
not oyerrun us in much less time than that, we
have but little fears of ttir being able to do so at
all, as our winter rains will set in sometime in De-
cember after which it will he impossible from the
nature of the roads and the country over which
they have TOT pass for the sne,ny rake any far
ther progress Tho Mississippi To lie OF any SER
ssice' IN checking the advance of the enemy no,c
daily anticipated. the Legislature sh5<'d have been
convened immediately after the battle of Corinth,
when il bccafre apparent that had not sufficient
force uIitef Van Dorm to dslodge Che enemy from
North Mississippi. Had this been done. the addi-
tional militia force now proposed to be raIsed would
by this time have been well drilled and efficient
soldiers. But, it is better late than never. let
the Legislature be convened and let the refsining
militia be brought into the hed. The amendment
OF the militia law so as to include all afle-boded
men between the ages of II AM CO. would give
additional force of about 10 900 men, VIII CHI
being we'll armed, equipped and drilled. woi.ld be
efficient body OF soldiers any now in the ser.
vice, and being raised excu lively ftr home de-
fence-for the protection of their wives daugh
tiers and mothers. it l. fair to suppose that they
would fight with courage, vaor ard iiivincitilty
never excelled We would far 'pissef 'taat Gle EN-
tire fighting force of the State shoald eoi,nia,il.
fake the field aetuated hy the noble impulses of
lofty patriotism but is manifest That The slfr
OF volunteering is dead and the only way to t,tiss
an additional force Tor State defense is 10y legsia
tive enactment. lie, the G werner then conven,
the Legislature At case fot that sole purpose.
And above all thing let The members OF tina
august body repaditte ahe of it own acts at tn,
last called session thai es sst-aptng Atfaseires
Let hem pass the raiIijil h e led i,t by tn ext
eeucies Of the times ant, ele stiles of the State
and return home tsd sssstar7 thar guns. Tn,
I.egiSl ttor that would be free himself must str X
the blow. let VA have 40 hi.kng the part o
Officials