Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-12-16


When practicable, said force may be as
signed to duty in the several counties from
which they may be drawn. 5th, The par
ticular duties to which this force may be as
signed are designated. 9th, That the
county court and county officers shall aid
in the enrolment. 9Th, That the Cover
nor shall provide 70 the proper discipline
and order of said force. 9Th, This bill
being a war measure, it is proposed that it
shall expire with the proclamation ofpeaoe,
only suspeuding intthe meantime the gen
ersl militia law. -
PUTTING NkGRoBs INTO THE FIELD.
Has the time arrived when this issue is
fairly before us ? Is it. indeed, liberty and
independence, or subjugation, which is pre-
scented to US? A man must be blind to cur
rent events; to the gigantic proportions of
this war to the proclamations of the enemy;
who does not see that the issue above re-
ferred to is presented noo. And, repeat.
the only question is, has the time arrived
Are we able, beyond question, to. wage
successful war against power three times
our own in numbers, with all Europe from
which to recruit, and who unhesitatingly
put arms in the hands of our own negroes
for our destruction ! will not say that I'm
der the Providence eff God we may not be
able to triumph; but I do say that we
should not, from any mawkish sensibillty,
refuse any means within our reach which
will tend to enable us to work out our de-
liverance. For my part, standing before
God aud my country, | do not hesitate to
say that I would arm such portion Of our
able bodied slave population as may be nee
essary and put them in the field, SO as to
have them ready for the spring campaign,
even if it resulted in the freedom Of those
thus organized Will not employ them
to fight the negro force of the enemy aye,
the Yankees themselves, who already boast
that they have two hundred thousand of
our slaves in arms against US? Can We
hesi'ate-can we doubt-when the ques-
ton is, whether our enemy shall use our
slaves against us, or we use them against
him-when the question may be between
liberty and independence on the one hand,
or our subjugation and utter ruin on the
other!
am aware that a clar or has been rails
ed against the policy of putting the ne
grocs into the army by good and loyal men,
because, they say, the end is not yet'-tbat
our army Of citizen soldiers is still compe-
tent to made good our defence No one
would advocate the policy Of thus appro-
priatpg our slaues except as matter Of
urgent necessity !; but, as public opinion is
widely divided on this subject, does not
common prudence require us to fear that
those opposed to this extreme measure may
be mistaken Suppose it should SO turn
out, how deep would be their responsibility
70 the country. to freedom and indepen-
dence everywhere know it is the opinion
of some of the highest military authorities
that the time has come when we should cali
our slaves to our assistance; and | hold it to
be clearly the duty Of every citizen, howev-
at much he may doubt the wisdom a d ne
ccssity Of the policy, to cooperate in siren
gtheuing, by every means, our armies
repeat, know this policy is looked to
with anxiety by some Of the ablcst military
men of the age, who believe that it is Of
the last, Importance that it should be
adopted without delay. [ therefore ear
nestly aeccommcnd the Legislature that
they should give this subject early conside-
ration and enact such measures as their
wisdom may approve.
l. REGULATIONS OF PRICES.
ALLOW, NE gentlemen, particularly to
!, commend to your favorable consideration
! the absolute necessity of regulating prices
| kn ow this policy is destined to meet a
stout resistance but fully impressed with its
great importance, under existing circum-
stances, may be pardoned, hope, for
pressing it upon your attention.
felt myself at liberty. shortly after your
adjournment, in consequence of the failure
of the bill making an appropriation to ems
gage in the acquisition Of suhsssies, for want
Of constitutional, not numerical majority
under the crying necessities and sufferings
of the people for bread, etc, to use such
portion of the contingent funds under my
control as would partially relieve their
wants. With this fund, and means other
wise acquired, engaged in this business,
and am gratified to believe that Icontribu-
ted Q considerable amount of relief to the
! ucSLltutc families VI SOlulofS Auu OtlcE SUI"
foring poor. Among the articles purchased
was about three hundred thousand pounds
Of rice. At the time 1 got to this market
the retail price of the grocers was two dol
lars and half per pound. This price ex-
tortionate in high degree, was the prac-
teal result of untrammeled competition
under the laws Of trade. BY my purchase
[ was enabled to put it upon the sspasket,
under certain restrictions as to the quantity
to be purchased, at fifty cents per pound
which cost and all expense. including a
small advance to provide against academia
losses. This involves the principal Of the
maximum. The same result occurred in
the corn I bought and distributed, I sold
one large lot at fifteen dollars per bushel,
even sending considerable quantity to the
county of Tazwell. I mention these facts
as practical illustrations Of the value of the
measure urge upon your consideration.
AIDING AN RESTORING THE CONFEDERATE
CURRENCY.