The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-11
News from the South.
The Message of the Governor
~ of South Carolina. 10
(Rrom the Richmond Dispatch, Dec.

~ of South Carolina. ~
(From the Richmond Dispatch, Dec. g.
Governor Bonham is soldier, and his
message sounds like war trumpet Inc
chief executive Office of the State, which
above all others perhaps, is most jealous OF
State rights, where they are really in dan
ger. he hesitates not to approve OF the de-
cision of the Circuit Court, thatneither the
Ordinance, nor tho act amendatory of it.
contemplate exemption from any service be-
side militia service in the State, and 80
neither is in conflict with the CONSUMPTION
]aws.o But fearful lest some difficulty
may still arise upon the Interpretation Of
what ill-disposed persons might choose to
represent as conflicting laws, he recon
mends an amendment of the exemption
laws to make them conform, as nearly as
possible, to those of the Confederate Gov
eminent. A most sensible suggestion, and
one worthy of the bold soldier who makes
t.
This is no time for making nice dlstinc-
tons between the laws of the Confederate
Government aud the laws of any State
We want soldiers to fight, not lawyers to
talk. We want State Governments that
will conform their laws to those of the
Confederate Government, not raise opposl-
ton to them. We want a system In each
State which shall send the greatest number
of recruits to the field, not one founded up
on the principle of keeping the largest num-
Der at home. We wish to see all the States
united to aid the Confsderacy in carrying on
tho war, not quibbllng and word-catching
to impede its operations. The States may
do this without yieldinga particle of their
rights. At least such is the opinion OF
Governor Bonham, State rights man of
the straightest sect, brought up at tho
very feet of the great States rights CANA
liel himself
Others who have not enjoyed that priv
lepe, for the first time in their lives mani
fest wonderful. tenderness for the rights
of and profess to feel unbounded alarm at
the encroachments of the Federal Govern
ment. Governor Bonham has no such fears.
He knows as every man ofsense must know
that our system is based upon a distinct
Acknowledgement of these rights-that
thew are to us what the laws of Edward
the Confessor were to the English people in
former timss-that they are to the point
from which all legislation starts-and that a
full acknowledgment Of them constitutes
every State distinct nation, with powe:
to shape her own legislation as she may
All that is now required is, that each State
may so legislate Is to give the greatest Ell
ficency TO the agent which all the States
have chosen to carry on in their name this
bloody and dangerous war. To that end it
is but reasonable that each should amend
its laws when they come in conflict with
those of the Confederacy. If you appoint
an attorney to transact your business you
must give him the necessary power
Gov. Bonhsm is evidently in favor of put
ting musket into the hands of every able
bodied man between the ages Of Gig htoen
and fsrty-fve. He says: eff the COME Ter
ate Government will put into the field
the most of the able-bodied men be-
tween eighteen and forty-fve now employ
cd a. Quartermasters and commissalies,
purchasing agents, enrolling officers, and
irnpressing agents, and in other similar pc.
sitious, tho great mass of their places can
be as we'll, and in many instances better,
filled by disabled soldiers, and the State
Governments will conform theirs to the
Confederate exemption acts, the Confeder-
ate Government can command force that
will drive beyond our borders all the armies
the Abolition GOVERNMENT can congregate
for the prosecution of this unholy war;
We have no doubt that this is true to the
letter. And will not the Governments,
State and Confederate, make the expert
ment? In our opinion it is shameful for any
young man, in full possession of health and
a.,~I- ,rxo mat naI
of rising with the occasion and coming forth
like true patriot to fight for his country
There will be none such i'll South Carolina,
if the Legislature of that State and the
Confederate Government be Of the same
mind with Gov. Bonham. He opposes the
State law which authorizes the exemption
of the officers of railroads, and as many EN-
ployees as the President and Superintend
ent may certify to be necessary to work
the roads, provided the duties involved can
not be performed by slaves. He thinks so
much power ought to be lodged in no one
who is not connected with the administra-
ton of the Government.
We think so, too; and if there be any
such law in Virginia, we hope it will be
amended or repealed He would repeal all
substitute laws, State or Confederate, espe
eially as they operate generally in favor of
a class which, of all others, have the deep
est stake in the success of the cause. There
are few, we hope and believe who do not
coincide with the Governor. -
1t is refreshing to read this message, so
full OF zeal for the cause and so redolent of
hope. But especially ought they to read it
who are forever using State Rights as a
weapon to obstruct the progress of the con-
scriptioD, and thereby the triumph of the
cause. tf.. ii
Widening the Chasm.