Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-16

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Ex-Governor Letcher's M Message.
| ExEcUTIvE DEPARTMENT,
RICHMOND, Va, Sept. Z, 1858.
Gentlemen ofths Senate and House. Of Dsle'
In this crisis have deemed il advisable
to convene you in extraordinary session
in order that the freshly chosen represent
atives of the people may consult and de.
| wise such measures as will be calculated
to meet the existing emergency in public
affairs. The war has now been in progress
for more than two years and a hall, and
| has been prosecuted against us with fero-
city unparalleled in all past struggles
between contending parties. 1t has been
conducted upon the aVowed principle OF
| subjugating us, either by force of arms or
by visiting upon our people the horrors OF
famine Hence it is that, foiled and defeat
ed again and again upon the field of battle,
they have adopted the policy of desOlating
our farms, destroying our crops, burning
our dwellings, stealing and carrying away
our property, leaving our wives and chill
dren to perish by the slow torture Of star
vation. 1t is no longer war for the preser-
yatiou.of the old Union, as It was originally
proclaimed to be; but it has degenerated
into war for the emancipation of our
slaves, and this purpose -udm1ufs ira
tiOn ut Washington propose to accomplish,
even if the determination of the white race,
of all ages, sexes and conditions of the
Southern Confederacy shall be the result.
We have no alternative, therefore, but to
defend ourselves with all the power, ener-
gy and ability We can command. We must
succeed, if we would be free and inde'
pendent people, worthy of the illustrious
ancestry from which we descended. To sue
ceed, we must have union, harmony, con-
cert, couciliation, courage, energy and de-
aud people. We must oultf%nte one to-
wards another the noble virtues of pru-
dence, toleration, charity and forbear-
Rnce.
With these general remarks proceed to
the consideration of such subjects as are
of special interest at this time, and iu my
Judgment demand legislative action.
The subject first in Importance, so far
as the Commonwealth is concerned, is the
best means of,providing an adequate force
for the local defense of the State against
invasion or raids, and for the execution of
the laws in case resort to force shall at
any time become necessary. The entire
military force of the State has been abb
sorbed by the conscription law, and We are
thus left, in time of greatest peril, with
no militia organization for the defense of
the Commonwealth. This want can be
and must be supplied with as little delay
as practicable.
AS to the plan of raising this force l am
aware there is much diversity of opinion.
The difference, however, is recoucilable, If
the subject is considered and discussed in
a patriotic spirit.
Let a force, to consist of all:able bodied
persons between the ages of sixteen and
sixty, not in the Confederate service, be
organized, corresponding with the force
now organized in the cities of Richmond,
Petersburg and Lynchburg. Let them be
regularly enrolled, formed into companies,
battalions and regiments and ohcered in
such manner as will be most likely to se-
cure efficient, intelligent and energetic men.
They should be drilled at proper intervals,
| so as to be we'll instructed In the evolutions
and the manual, and prepared for efficient
! service whenever the necessity shall arise.
The act should also define what is local
| defense, as there is much contrariety of
opinion in regard to it. Some think local
defense consists in remaining at home, and
under no circumstances to be taken out OF
the city or county in which the company
is organized. This, in my view, is a most
mistaken notion of the meaning of. the
term Wlocal defense )" and if it is to prevail,
will work great mischief and render tie
| Organization of little value in giving pro-
lection to our people. My opinion is, that
Iif the city of Richmond can be defended
more certainly fifty miles from 1t than i'm
mediately around it or in it, that locality is
the proper place for its defense, and the
Ilocal militia should be required to make
the defense there. The officer charged
with the defense of any particular locality
is presumed to be better acquainted with
the mode of defending it, and the best point
for defending it successfully, and he should
direct all troops so as best to secure the
end desired. ~ . q = -
The object of such organizations should
be to give adequate protection to all parts
of the Commonwealth. We must not only
Iproyide for the defense of the counties,
cities and towns by the local forces in and
Immediately around them, but we must
under the law which is proposed to bt
passed, have authority to order Others
from CONTIGUOUS counties to their atG
and support. A force, whose opera
tiops are to be confined by county, city OF
town boundaries, can prove of but LITTLE
r value in checking raids or in executing
and enforcing obedience to the laws.
This organization should be made Il
embrace the foreign population who arr
Ilocated amongst us. This foreign popula
ton may be said to consist of three classes
First. those who have been regularly nat.
Iiuralized, and who are therefore citizen
: embraced by our laws relating to the pub
2 Bic defense: second, those who are domi
ciliated amongst us, aud have been living
lin onr midst and prosecuting various
branches of business, and who left thei
native land with no purpose or intention {
returning TO it: aud lastly, those who az
!, temporarily sojourning amongst us. Th
Z first class are in service under our militi
: flaws; and the second should be require
: to 20 into service for public defense Of u