Washington telegraph., 1864-07-27


STATE AFFATRs.-It viii bo seen that Gov
fianagn has issued his proclamation for the
election OF State officers this Fall This is the
FIRST step requisite to perpetuate our State Gov
ernment, and is in the right direction We hone
every true Southern man, in every county, will
appreciate its importance, and in view of the
great emharrassments and incalculablc evils
which would result from lapse of our State
Government for want Of a constitutional legis-
ture, make it his personal business to see that
the elections are held, and the returns made,
from every possible quarter. 1t concerns the
personal interests of every man. Let every man
see to it,
1t is the duty Of the county courts to appoint
Judges for the different townships, and 10 fix
the places therein for holding elections In
nlanyof our counties there are no county courts
1t is well for the people to know. that where
the county courts fail. the sheriff may fix the
places of holding elections. anl the voters when
assembled may appoint The judges.
Whilst we hope that under our present laws
the elections may be held, and legal returns
made in a sufficient number of counties to in
sure quorum of both houses, we have very
grave appreheasions that it cannot be done
without some intervening legislation adapted to
the extraordinary condition of our State. Our
election laws were framed for times of peace,
and many of their requirements have become
impossible
For instance, returns must be maia through
the clerks of the county courts, and for senators
through the clerk of the county FIRST named in
the district. The clerks are positively required
TO call TO their assistance two Justices of the
peace, and to compare the poll books publicly in
the courthouse In many counties the enemy
have occupied the county towns, and there are
no clerks left Besides, they might send squad
to great many of them TO defeat the return.
All these cases would be failures.
Besides that unless some mode be provided
for receiving ths. votes of refugees and soldiers
in the army, stand in great danger of having
a legislature which would terribly comuromisa
the honor of the State. The enemy might suf
fer elections to be held in many counties which
they hold, tor the purpose of allowing the dis
loyal population who remain at home to send
dlsioya elements into our councils 1t would
te one OF thelr best cards, and they are sagacous
enough TO play it. We cannot have anv fair
any county north Of the Arkansas, or east of
the Bartholomew, without the votes of the de-
voted Southern men who, to avoid personal sub
lugation, have become voluntary exiles or are
Barring their breasts to the storm OF war. Ii is
shocking to think how our State might become
demoraiized, andits honor compromised through
not all the Confederacy, by the presence in our
councils of even a very few men, who might
hypocntlcaily take the oath of office, but whose
whole thoughts and wishes should be directed
lnsidously to Submission and dishonorahe
peace. North Carolina has already suffered
lF'uch IN that respect, and we should profit by
her misfortune
Honce, with all Difference TO our Governor.
whose honest and CONSCIENTIOUS discharge of
duty no one can possibly doubt; and adrnittinc
that we may not have so fullv taken in all the.
bearings OF the question, we cannot help wish
ing thar session Of the Legislature NAV be
called IN time to prevent these evils
FROM VRGINIA.-We have little SoutI,crn
news. No account is given in our desnatcbes
OF any movement of Lee d portion of his army
towards Washington. This, however, Il truc
would probably not be published
Petersburg, July 4.-The enemy are still in
Our front at all points of their old lines though
doubtless some OF their forces have been sent
away, probably to the north side of the ADpo-
Indtox or James river or to Washington.
al every point OF the enemy 5 lines huge haps
have been displayed to-day and bands are inces-
sanity playing.
Richmond, July 7.--Nothing Of intera,t has
occurred III Ills army for several days
Rumors are plentiful, aud stirring events are
said TO be ca the eve of accomplishment
The Yankees on James river have been de-
stroyin9 the wheat crops within their reach this
week
The country in the rear Of Grants army is
represented as filed with stragglers, aud the
crops entirely dastroyed by the enem,'s foraging