The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-29

cal mower to other hands. The time has already
come when, say the least of it, the assertion OF
right as pertaining to a sovereign State Is worth
more if backed by some show OF physical power to
enforce it, Neither can l regard it as in any wise
anomalous that the State should employ her militia
in trying to arrest the numerous bands OF deserters
who nfest the country, robbing and numbering the
citizens and in some instances compelling strong
force to be under arms to protect the slttlngs OF
the courts The anomaly, if any there be in the
case might certainly be found IN the Government
permitting these outlaws to set the civil authorities
at defiance, piage and murder at will, until loyal
citizens fee for liie and not undertaking to pre-
vent it, because such prevention would increase
, the State taxes! AS matter of course it is ex-
pected that the Confederate government will uti-
mately assume all military ouays necessarily ill.,
CURED by the States for that deeuce of themselves
which it is unable to render But even If it should
not, l submit we must be protected neyertheles !;
and the objection that in protecting ourselves We
are also assisting to execute law OF Congress will
hardly bold good. Doubtless it would be good
thing, if people could carry and preserve
internal quiet without any expenditure OF money
at ALL say doubtless, because to my knowledge
it has never been tried. But having before our
eyes the very strongest evidence Of the constant
necessity of these troops, can no way but to in
cur the debt and do our utmost to protect the
country and execute the laws.
Probably an arrangement mis- ht be made with
! the Confederate government to assume the pay
ment of State forces now especially of regulars
and the Home Guard on duty at the front, as both
under Confederate officers and doing the service
Of Confederate troops
[, however, concur in the Treasurer recommen-
daton, that the taxes will have to be considerably
increased for the next fiscal year. In addition to
the Slight increase in the military appropriations
and some small sums hereafter mentioned for the
securing Of proper supply of salt, hope it will
be necessary to enlarge the existing appropriations
oily in regard to the families Of our INDECENT
soldiers. 1t is admitted to be our imperative duty
! to provide for these persons, and the system now
pursued by the counties in providing each for its
own soldiers families, conceive to be unjust to
themselves. poor county, possessing few slaves,
but large white population, would be taxed with
the support Of three OR four times the number of
persons that wealthy county, with a small white
population, and double the ability to pay, woulo
have to care for | regard the support of these
families much public tax that Of the soldier
himself, and that the true principle is to levy it
upon the State at large. 1t is sufficient that in
times like these the counties have to support their
own poor, not the families Of soldiers therefore
recommend an appropriation of two millions in
currency, and the imposition of tax in kind, say
one twentieth bushel Of corn, wheat and peas, gal
Ion of syrup, &c, arranged and systematized as
you may deem best.
From careful observation of the difficulties ex-
perienced by the cour'y supply commissioners
last year, aud owing sne impressment and tythe
laws of Congress- rendered still greater by the
bonding of large portion of our farmers to sell
all their surplus to the Confederate government, |
convinced that this is the surest and best way
to provide for the poor. Surely humane
patriotic citizen can object to this plan. IF it
should meet your appreciation, the sooner it is
adopted the better, the is already far ad
vanced. | deem it unnecessary to elaborate this
suggestion, you will doubtless be able to mature
the plan Of operating better than l could myself.
desire to call your attention to the condition
of the Militia and the Guard for Home Defence,
which requires some additional legislation. Both
Of these organizations were put on foot when the
territory allotted to the different regiments and
,tattalions contained men sufficient to fill them to
the numbers required by law. Both have alike !
been stripped by conscrption until scarcely any
thing remains Of either regiment battalion but
officers. When now call out the Home Guard
for State defence, have to put many companies
together in order to get Of convenient size,
and the supernumerary officers constituting large
per cent of the whole force, sent home, they
cannot be made to in the ranks. This causes
the greatest inconvenience and injustice The
only remedy is reorganization and consolidation.
therefore recommend the abolition of the Home
Guard organization as being one too many, and the
passage Of law authorizing the combination of
the skeleton companies of the Militia into new reg
iments, having the numbers necessary to take the
field at once and SO that all may be compelled to
do duty alike. deem it unnecessary further to |
give the details Of the proposed plan as the Adju-
tant General will present them fully TO your mill
tary committee in a form which has my approval
l also recommend the extension of the age to |
which men are required to serve n the militia to |
fifty five years. Though there are not a great |
many men at that age capable of active field SER
vice, there are yet many who could perform most
material service ia arresling deserters and repres-
sing disorders at home, whose accession would |
The records of the country will bear ME witness
gentlemen that have never sought to have ex-
traordlnary powers of any kind conferred upon me,
being content to abide by our ancient customs even
when unusual circumstances have rendered them
abortve. But | am firmly convinced by actual
ex perience that it is impossible to enforce dscp
line and obedience to orders in militia organiza
lion scattered throughout the State without sum-
mary powers in the Commander in Chief to drop
the offender from the rolls for certain specified Of
fences. With great hesitation, therefore, and
moved by sincere conviction of duty, [ recon-
mend the couferrins of this power the Execu-
tive, to continue only during the war; and SO re-
strcted YOU may deem necessary to guard against
its improper exercise
In this connection will ask your consideration
Of copy of the resolutions adopted by meeting
Of the Governors of the States OF Virginia. North