Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-01
From the Cou tryman.l

A'so'N "''' ~
From the cou tryman.l
GEN. TOOMBS-THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
We had the privilege and the pleasure (or we always
esteem it such, in public or in private, to hear GENERA,
Toombs give his views the state Of the Country
in Sparta on last Wednesday, 18th inst lie addressed
his leow-ctzens that day upon the subject indica-
ted IL was court week. and the General in obedience
to a call made upon him by bis countrymen, appeared
before them in the Baptist Church, in the llage men.
toned. lie had large audience OF both ladies and
gentlemen.
Gen. Toombs commenced by stating that he appeared
before his audience the call of portion of his coun-
ymen in order to give his views upon the state OF the
Country" The relations which he bore to this reyou-
ito however humble they might be, entitled his fellow
citizens to his views, they were entitled to the opn-
ions Of every in this momentous crisis. The coun-
try needed the wisdom and experience of all, but the
prsiudices of none and the folly OF none.
lie wished it distinctly understood that as to the ends
to be attained by this revolution the Southern people
we're unit The only Issues upon which there was any
difference of opinion we're the by which the ends
in view could be most readily and efficiently reached
The government was entitled to every dollar, every lite,
every drop of blood necessary to success in our struggle
The Constitution bestowed them on the government and
all he asked was that its tremendous power might be used
in constitutional way, that the forms and the sub
stance of personal liberty, as well as national inde-
pendence, might be preserved
1t was impossible that should not differ upon inn
portan issues These had TO be discussed by the pres'
the people, and by Congress, and the best measure
adopted by our legislature and executive, after fully
weighing and considering all measures proposed for their
action The people ought to do this he iooald do it.
Tho right 10 discuss any brought up for con-
alteration he would isUer yield. AS 10 any misunder-
stlndng which might have occurred between him and
any one whom Oever God forbid that he should be SO
Ltte-go lost to all shame and patriotism, to thrust
that upon his country in this her hour OF peril His
IN all he had and and before
God, she should have it fully, freely, unreservedlv.
Alter these preliminary remarks, General Toombs
took I'D the Conscrp on Act and discussed it at some
length II was unconstitutional because, in calling 1t
the militia it did leave it, the constitution re-
oured TO the States, instead of the Central Govern
ment to officer the militia 1t threw the power of ap-
pointing officers into the hands OF the Executive rather
than allowed our brave volunteers to elect their
officers as it was their constitutional right to do. He
paid glowing tribute 10 our volunteers who had preVl
Gus to the CONSUMPTION Act borne our flag triumph up
on every battle field under officers of their own election
To depriye them of their constitutional right Of cleo
ton was to make them too much like reguars-soders
q. form of service so odious that not regiment of
such in due FORM bad been found TO breNst the tide Of
blood in this gh'. There wee no such Pops - regu-
lars in our service.
General Toombs desired to be derstood at this
point He desired Just as many men called into the
fed as the e1igency iequir d. lie hmsefhad proposed
in Montgomery pu. 100000 men at the absolute dis
posa OF the President, to be cal ed out and TO sere
when and where he might deem best-reServing moth
ing but the constitutional guarantee that the States
might officer forces and the troops elect their
own commanders.
Gen. Toomhs next discussed the Confederate Tax
Act He did not deny the right of taxation to its full
lest extent But he thought the provisions of the Act
not wisely adapted to the end in view. He thought
that the tax in kind imposed by this Act was parcu
ary unfortunate 1t would lead to the accumulation Of
Government stores which would rot for the lack Of
TRANSFORMATIONS and be dead loss to the country. The
government should purchase its supplies as they we're
supplies and forcing men to take less than they worth
was an exploded idea of the dark ages-was foolish,
absurd and unjust. L. most unequal in its opera
ton Take the item Of corn for instance worth So q
bushel Government seized it, and allowed 81 bushel
for il Here the farmer lost dollar bushel on his
corn and then paid his proportion of tax besides. This
was peculiarly hard upon the farmers in the army, and
Congress should repeal the present unjust Act and
another upon more equitable basis Many other
things we're said by the speaker in his analysis OF the
Tax Act.
The ed measure discussed by General Toombs was
State Endorsement of Confederate Bonds to which the
sneaker was opposed 1t like asking his servant to
endor his note when that servant liable for Its
payment, without endorsements The questl OF our
finances was one of tremendous magnitude-one which
il was impossible for him to discuss in full, upon that
OCCASION He referred to the heavy expenses of the
war and to the depreciation OF Confederate notes 1t
was well for US not TO shut eyes to this unwecome
fact 1t might happen that these notes would come not
10 be worth more than continental money. In thai
event il would be all important to preserve State credit
intact to meet the emergency, and carry on the war
Some people, seeing State bonds at premium, imagine
that if the States would endorse Confederate bonds this
act would bring them up to the value of State currency.
On the contrary would bring State currency down to
the level of Confederate bonds This he wished TO avoid
and hold State credit last resort in the last emer-
gency. u,.,, .,.
butes TO Southern women, who had done SO much for
Southern always elected rounds
of applause. u,..,-,
The last subject discussed by Gen. ToOmbS was martial
law. He was Utterly opposed to it, The Constitution
bestowed sufficient powers upon the u Vernment and
thew were amply sufficient during war as well as peace
The Constitution was designed for war and peace both
IL was adop.ed almost amid the booming oil cannon and
the eapgor of arms and it not true that 1t was to
be regarded only in times of peace great many PEG
Die said away with the Constitution until we attain our
Independence. This was as if you should throw away
the pearl of great price in order that you might ma IT,
Away with any such idea. Maintain your personal no
erty while you ere achieving your independence Inc
one was worthless without the other. The southern
people had been justly indignant at Lincoins
Of the ha6eds corpus and his abrdgment oil personal
liberty and freedom Of discussion even among fankees'