The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-01
rHE ACTION OF THE GoVERNoRs.

last week is over, and it's proceedings are before
the public. Neither the consideration Of PROPOSE
tions from the Governors Of the North vest, nor
plan for the Cow of the States nor the
claims Of Gov. Brown and Gov. Vance for the au-
thorship of the Georgia PLATFORM seem to have
gagged the consideration of that meeting. 1t ap-
pears to have been eminenty practical convoca-
lion of statesmen in which the tricks of the politi
clan as well the fancies of day-dreamers, were
ignored.
The resolutions of course will be the subject of
animadversion by some and of approval by others
The meeting did simply what it had a right to do,
without assuming powers that it did not possess,
or debating to the Confederate authorities about
matters beyond its province. The resolutions,
perhaps epbody what each individual Governor
held prior to the meeting, but they have this ad
vantage, in pledgipg to the country unity of &C
tion SO far the Legislatures Of the several States
will endorse them, backed by the moral weight
which unity always carries with it. Let us briefly
examine the resolutions: -tf,
l The first resolution is one of encouragement
to our people, giving them assurances that
| exists in the present condition of affairs, for
any abatement in our zeal and purpose to prose-
cute the war to the securing of a peace, based on
the independence of the Confederacy; at the same
tine pedging their best efforts to increase the eff
fectiye force of our armies. It will be said that it
was meeting, and that the Governors
pledged to continuance of the war. What less
could they have done? What more could they
have been expected to do? Suppose they had re-
solved that the war should cease? Suppose they
had initiated scheme looking to peace other than
one to be effected by carrying on the war? What
avail would it have been? What force would it
have carried with it? Can any sane man give
valid reason why they should have resolved upon
peace! Have they any right or the States to help
them under the Constitution, to abandon the war,
so long the North is determined TO prosecute it
and the Confederate Governmen to resist? Would
they have been true to the to the people,
even to have intimated that they we're ready to
abandon the war?
2. The second resolution asserts what no one
can deny, that the interests OF the States in this
struggle identical, and that they should assist
each other in repeDg the foe. In order to do
this moro efectualy, they agree TO propose to the
several Legislatures to repeal the present laws
which prohibit the Executives from sending State
troops into an adjoining State, temporarily, when
the exigeney urgently requires it, The PROPOSE
ton is not that State troops may be put even tenn
porarily beyond the control of the Executive of the
State to which they belong, but that in certain
emergencies, the Executives may order them be-
yond the line, for certain purposes. For instance
in the event that Yankee troops to force them
selves in Gen Lees rear and be advancing into
Mecklenburg county, Virginia, with the apparent
desi gn Of crossing the Roanoke into this State
The Roanoke would afford the best point to check
them. If there were Confederate forces on this
side the Roanoke, Gov. Vance under the present
law could not order the State troops into the coun
ty of Mecklenburs lying this side the river, but
must wait at the State line until the enemy ad
vanced, before he could attempt to check them
Again, if Wilmington attacked and it was
not in the power Of Gen. Lee to render assistance,
and our own State force insufficient ill.,
forccment, Gov. Bonham, of South Carolina,
though he might have strong force at his COM
mand, could not under existing laws render any
assistance. It is to meet exgencies of this kind,
that the Executives propose this change.
g. The third resolution very properly urges upon
the authorities of the Confederacy to place all the
able bodied men already in the service, in the front
whose places can be filled in the several Depart
ments, in the provost guards &C., by disabled men,
and the dispensing with the passport system except
in the Immediate vicinity of the great armies. 1t
expresses decided purpose to use proper exertions
to increase the strength Of the Confederate and
State forces, but do not understand this as in
timating any purpose to favor the placing of any
portion of the State forces under Confederate au-
thority. We are quite sure when the rolls of the
State force in the Adjuant Generals Office of this
State to be carefully examined, it will be
found that it is already too small to allow of dimin-
ution; especially in view of the aid it render
the general cause, by the protection of our from
tier coast
4. The fourth resolution agrees to recommend to
the Legislatures the passage of stringent laws for
the arrest and return of deserters and straggers
from the Confederate or State troops.
5. This resolution suggests the duty Of all slave
owners to their male slaves from the neigh
borhood of the enemy on his approach, and recon-
mends the passage of laws making it the duty of
the proper authorities to remove them when the
owners fail to do so. The obvious necessity for |
this must be seen by every one. 1t is unfortunate |
that it was not done in the beginning of the war.
Of:course we understand the proper authorities .
to mean the State authorities.
6 The sixth resolution has been interpreted by
to favor the idea recently preached Of arming
the slaves to fight our battles Such idea we
are assured was not entertained by the meeting
1t simply favors the idea of employing slaves by
the consent of their owners Notifications, as
cooks, Transfers, ambulance drivers, dc.
Z The seventh resolution will be generally en-
dorsed by the people Of the States The denial by
Congress to the States, the ri ht export their
products and to import articles for State use and
for the clothing of troops, &c, except under such
restrictions amount to prohibition, is
In view of the assistance rendered the Confedc-
racy by the States during this war; so long as they
we're permitted to run the blockade, it would seem
the Confederate authorities ought to promote it as
far possible.
Lastly, they resolve that it is their firm and un-
alterable purpose to maintain our right of