Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-12-30

proposition to COnscrpt the three Years. Men.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES, Dec 81, 1863.
Mr.. Miles, from the Military Committee reported
bill to continue in service all troops in the ar
mics of the Confederate States.
Mr.. Miles said that this was measure of extreme
Importance, and demanded by the public exgencies.
The cvnscription law had made the term of service
for three years, and that time would expire in april
next ; hence the necessity Of Some legislation. Tn
less some law were passed continuing these men in
service the army would become disorganized-
When our brave soldiers knew that it was for the
interest of the country to do this that the safety
of tie nation required it he felt assured that he
would rot hear one word Of discomfort from them
As chairman Of the ,Comm;aee,on Military Affairs
he was free to say that he entirely opposed to
reorganization of the army This was his position
could appreciate the desire of those under cruel and
tyranncal officers for re organization of the army
such desire perfectly natural but he believed
that the reorganization Of our army at this time
and in the face of the enemy, would lead to its de-
moralzation. He had always believed it TO have
been fatal error in the policy of the government to
have granted the army the right of collecting its
officers. He believed that it was productive of more
mischief than good In this as in all other things,
his paramount object was the honor aud interest of
the government. '' ......' '''-'
Mr.. Gartrell, Of Geor; ia. offered an amendment
to the bill, to the effect that companies, battaons
and regiments shall have the right to re- organize
by the election of their commissioned and field of.
tcers at such fine and under such regulations as
shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War. ,,.;
Mr.. Reed made All amendment that the kentucky
troops permitted to mount themselves and become
part Of the cavalry. .-I..,. =. 30. ~
= Mr.. Foote offered an amendment, in substance,
that the companies, battaons and regiments be au-
thorized TO re elect their ocars. In support of his
amendment he said that he had offered ths resolu-
ton at this time alone in consequence Of what had
fallen from the member from South Carolina He
VAS ready to maintain, at any suitable time, though
he had no opportunity Of expressing all his views
on this subject at present, that it would be emi,et-
ly proper to allow to- all battalions, regiments
ard companies the privilege Of choosing all their of
fcers, He knew very we'll that IN the begipng of
the war, it might very plausibly be urged. as in
point Of fact it had been that the soldiers who were
then mostly strangers TO each other, would not be
certain, in all cases, to choose officers those best
qualified to command but it is far arom being the
case at present Tie officers knew the soldiers the
soldiers knew the officers, and rank and Gle Of the
army had exercised opportunity of duly estinla-
ting each other He maintained that they were
more competent to choose their officers than any one
outside of their organization could possibly be-
They were generally men of intelligence ;they were
all distinguished for patriotic feeling and their
sonable partiatiea ard even their permanent pred.
judsees were entitled to respect They would fight
better under officers whom they could respect and