Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-09-15

service must be maintained by somebody; an
II tnelr reilglous convictions will not allow thel
TO go into the ranks for the defence and mai1
sainance OF the common cause, why cannot the
twill not do to say that they are opposed t
war, ana can do nothing that will tend to it
/ prosecution. The law is based upon the princi
pie that they are bound to do something-other
wise they would not be taxed the sum of $50
eacn. Inat money goes into the treasury, an,
| Is draWn therefrom to defray the expenses of tht
war ana to this extent at least, they are aidin,
and supporting it. If fhey can aid to the exten
OF five hundred dollars ia money, can they no
aid by labor or other service
| A-state of war imposes personal obligation
upon every citizen within the military age, and
ne should be required to discharge it.. When
| the country 1s invaded, our dwellings burned
our lands laid waste, our property destroyed or
Carried away, our citizens imprisoned, it is their
duty to step forward promptly and aid in repell-
| Ing the invader. Ministers and members of 9TH
er religious denominations, equally as conscien-
tious, are in the field. recommend therefore.
that this law be repealed
Besides these provisions stringent regulations
should be adopted prevent desertIon or straggipp
from service without leave ItpughJ to be made the
duty OF the local militia to arre any officer or soldier
found abroad from his corp$ $wifhout furough and
cause him to be forthwith returned his position or
aehvered to the nearest provost marshal The officers
CouHldIu III CITY or county through which such
persons might he passing sojourning, might be in
vested with hkeauthorty and be clothed with power
to detail sufficient number Of men to make the ar.
rest effective and to compel the parties in default
render the service to which they are liable. ItInght
also With propriety be made the duty of company oi
GERS at regular intervals, to report all persons who
have not been exempted and who are liable to con-
scription, that armies may be kept full and ef-
cient and at all times be prepared to meet and repel
the enemy. Any act You may shouid provide for
the speedy and certain punishment of all who fail
refuse to obey lawful orders and prescribe some mode
for the removal of incompetent or rnfaithfl officers
The experience of the last two years renders egsla
tion upon this subject necessary.
x * Virginia went into this contest after
the most serious and calm consideratiQn-wit firm
resolve to do her whole duty to herself and her Con-
federate sistersto take Ill the consequences however
horrible they might be-. Her people never qualled-
nor have they murmured under the repeated wrongs
and aggresslons they have suffered She was not the
hrst to enter this struggle, will she be the first to
sue for peace-unless that peace be accompanied by
an unqualified recognition OF the Independence of the
Southern ConfederaeY..
The General Assembly, at its last session. prescrib
ed tAat Confederate Issues of date anterior to
April 9th, 1868, should be received in payment of
State taxes | am unable to comprehend either the
wisdom or policy of this legislation. 1t is calculated
to impair confidence IN the currency Of the Confede
rate Government, and indeed is almost the only cur
reney in circulation in the greater portion of the
rency and the State governments and the banks and
railroad companies do the thing. thepoeple may
well become alarmed. The consequences cannot fail
TO be most disastrous. We change the action I
Of Congress, but remedy the of our own
legislation, and thus show that disposed to up
hold the credit and currency of the c0nfederacy:
On the 29th day of August last a requlsition was
made upon me by the Secretary of War for 5,34o
slaves to work upon the Notifications arouLd Rich
nond Copies OF the papers are herewith submitted
to your consideration; and particularly invite your
attention the draft made upon the several countless
The apportionment upon the counties seems to be
tirely arbitrary, and bears very unequally In some
cases five per cen OF the slaves is called tor, and IN
other cases less than per cent. Thus, Amelia,
With upwards of 900 slaves assessed with in
1862 required to furnish SO, while Allegheny with
less than 700 is required to furnish 80 The county
Of Albemarle with 1861, is called upon for 200,
The county of Augusta with 1890, is called upon
so, while the county OF Rockingham, with 2.l64, is
called upon for l0O Hanover, with 8,62l, is called
upon for 30, while Prince Edward, with 6,99S, isca
ed upon for $50. These examples will suffice to show
how unequaly this bun den distributed; and trust
that some amendment will be maae to the law, which
will afford protection against such inequality.
Theaw requires thar Ethe value OF such slaves as |
may escape from the Confederate authorities and not
to their owners, be seized be killed by the
public enemy, or may, by want OF due diligence on
the part of the authorities OF the Confederate States
in any be lost ito tt eowners, shall be paid by
the Confederate States to the OF such slaves
and like manner compensation shall be paid for any
injury to slaves arising from the want OF due dlI
gence the part of authorities of the Confederate
States. Many cases of peculiar hardshlp arising 1
from the loss OF slaves have beer brought TO my at
tentiOn, and much complaint has been made by the /
owners In consequence of the TACT that they have not
received the value provided for in this act In /
several the only slave capable of field labor that
the owner possessed has been los and compensation
not having been made, he has been unable 10 supply
his place. Ii The value had been promptly paid, the
hardship in such would have been greatly re
eved. Invoke your early attention to this subject,
Of SO much Importance to our common constituents.
Since the commencement of this war, Virginia has |
been called upon to mourn the loss of many OF |
her gallant sons but OF all her Jewels the most bril-
liant was the lilustrious lieutenant General Thomas
]. .Jackson--a graduate of West Point-highly dis I
tng1shed in the Mexican war; and at the Openlng OF
the present quiet uDpretending professor in
State Military Institute lie was called from the pro-
lessons chair to the field and his his energy
and the success which wned his efforts
for HIM reputation that made him the pride OF
his own State-endeared HIM to the people of the Con-
to him the attention of the nations
of the earth, and compelled the respect and adnira-
ton OF those heaftess enemies who have drench
ed our land IN blood, and brought waling and amen
tatlon to the hresdes OF thousands OF their mis-
guided peoples For decision of characer-fOr stern
and unbending resolution-or pure and elevated pat
sound inhexible integrity, and for
prompt and energetic action. he was surpassed by no
man OF his times. The record of his achievements
will constitute of the brightest pages the his
tory OF the war, when that history shall have been
written. his reputation military leader OF the
highest ability and merit, has been alrly and firmly
established IN the judgment OF the army and the
try, and his name viii be honored and his fame will
be cherished
ssWhie the earth bears plant, or the rolls a
wave"
The extortoner is still pursuing his heartless traf
hc and amassng his gains. The to him is God \
send and he would terminated for any earth
ly consideration He shares OF Its hardshlps
suffers of its dangers. He has, perhaps hired
substitute, who for pecunlary consideration a.
every where throughout the Confederacy; anu 1T is
time something done TO put an end to their mo-
ney making business.
have been investigating this subject, hope that
would be able to some PRACTICAL recommends
tion that would check if it did not eradicate this evil
In the first volume of the Revised Code of 8l9 page
sol, find an act which was passed l777, entitled
IAN prevent foTestalug regratlng engrosSlng
and public vendues which, with very slig amend-
ments would re-enacted, check In great measure
this growing evil invite your attention to 1t, and
recommend that some similar act be passed at this
session.
The finances Of the State are in highly prosperous
condition-much prosperous, indeed, than could
have been anticipated under the circumstances which
surround us. The numerous demands made upon the
Treasury have been promptly met and satisfied. Our
is increasing and the people, with that noble
spirit which characterized Vlrginians, cheer
fully pay their taxes, ana thus MAINTAIN The credit
and uphold the character of the commonwealth.
In the discussion upon the Amerieanquestion,
Mr.. Lincokn's action with regard to theN negro
appears to attract the most attention. The Lon
don ssTimes' thinks that by employing Degroe
in the army the President renders it necessary