Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-21

on tAa elbaot OF exemplary, Thb 90 Ilmitlot ali,
terlaned tho opinion that serious abuses had bson
developed under the system Of detail; that this
opinion was general, and tended to create g dis
content and jealousy in the army and in the
country, which Ii was advisable abate by further
limitations Of the power. s.E s....- =.
The. second measure recommended BY the Pr9s-
| dent and deemed by him 'sthe measure most need
ed at the present time for afording effective in
crease to our military strength, Is general militia
law.H This subject was considered by the CON-
mitee at early period of the session, aud bill
prepared in pursuance'of the recommendations of
| the President in his regular message. After
ture deliberation il decided that such legsla-
| ton was Unnecessary and inexpedent.
Congress has placed az the disposal of the Presi
dent all persons lit for military service between
the ages OF seventeen and fifty, and the committee
| are unable to understand how il can be expected
| that the power Of defending the country would be
increased by the passage of 4 general militia law
embracing persons within those ages.
1 A minority Of this committee were willing to or
ganige the militia Of the States, whatever II might
consist of and to authorize the President to call
such organizations into the military service of the
Confederate States irrespective Of State lines, and
therefore favored the bill referred to- though they
aid not consider Its passage of prime Importance.
As general proposition, 1t may be confidently
stated that the militia organized and employed un-
der State authority, embrace more persons than
Il could be made subject TO q law OF Congress, and
II are rs tlucent Slate QeIeuct NJ III ORGANIZED
and employed under Confederate authority. The
STATE whose Governor has informed the President
ssthat the law does not permit him to call the mi
litia from county for service in another" has
not adopted any such restriction except as TO per-
sons over the age of forty five. Such is the restrc-
ti6n. the committee are reliably informed, in the
State of Alabama and II is not believed that this
or any similar prohibition exists in any other State.
1t is unreasonable TO suppose that any State would
by legislation seriously impair the efficiency of the
force relied for its owndeience. The only material
change that could be effected by general militia law
would be to transfer the power 10 control and en-
poy the persons subject to militia duty from the
State to the Confederate authorities, and thereby
place il in the power Of the President to order the
militia of State to any portion of the Coincide
racy. The policy of using such persons as might
constitute militia, under the proposed legislation,
is more than questionable in view of the fact that
the reserves" under the pressure OF the war, are
continued indefinitely in the Aeld, and under re,
cent act. may be ordered beyond the limits Of their
respective States; II the militia, alao mght be so
ordered, the number remaining, for local police and
State defence already insufficient for the purpose,
would be so far reduced as virtually 10 deprive the
State Of all means Of selt.preservation, II seems
manifest that the extension OF CONSUMPTION
to persons owes tho age of forty live, while IL has
greatly impaired the productive power of the coun-
try, and in other respects prejudiced the
4 public service, has been attended by no oompen-
posed to extond an erroneous policy by recommend
ing the adoption Of any to place other per-
sons over the age OF forty 1--we in the general mill
tary service Of the Confederate States.
Without enlarging upon the merits Of the .ques-
Il tion the committee express their conviction that
in the failure of Congresl to pass general milhia
law, there is to be found no derelictiop of duty
and that, notwithstanding the opinion OF the Pres-
dent from which they have dssented with reluc-
lance, that the proposed measure is the ''mOst
III fora
increase to military strength, they may, with
out arrogance hope 90 escape the disapprova the
army and the people. This being the most ilnpor-
tant omission Of duty alleged by the PreSident as
to the military Legislation pi Congress, the com
mttee is not unwilling 10 ASSUME its share of the
responsibility Of the failure and feol appfehen-
sion OF prejudice TO the cause therefrom. The
problem most difficult TO solve, was how to secure
the rsturn to the army OF officers and men absent
without leave. The fact made public by the Presi-
dent, of the inability of the Government To secure
obedience to military obligation of more than one
half the number enrolled for service in the army,
created much disquietude IN the public mind, and
the expectation may be supposed to have been gen.
eraI, that the President would recommend re-
medal legislation to correct tho evil. Information
derived from the proper department. and upon
which appropriations are made by Congress In Obe-
dience to official estimates exhibit an army OF
about half million of men. The support Of the
army in the field, creates alarming pressure
upon the energies OF the government the supply
OF arms and munitions OF war is not considered too
abundant for present demand, and Congress may at
least be allowed to excuse itself for on-action on
the line indicate by the President, until some salts
factory assurances are given of the ability to con-
troll and employ the long since placed at the
disposal of the Executive Department Of the Gov
ernment. Every measure proposed by the Presi-
dent or the Generalin-C Chief to secure the speedy
return of absentees and deserters has been egased
by Congress, and this camHlttee, not satisfied that
the measures thus suggested would accomplish the
desired result prepared and reported bill s' most
needed at the present time, for ailOrdng effec-
tive increase to military strength" This bill,
If Objectionable In some Of its details yet promised
the most valuable results in its general operation,
but encountered opposition from the President so
decided as 10 induce the committee in Difference
to his wishes, to abandon the project. But, since
the President has urged, in his late message, adj
ditonal legislation for reinforcing the army aud az
Congress is alone entrusted with tho power of ma
king ths laws best calculated % raise, strengthen
and preserve ARMIES the committee have deter
mined to urge the passage OF the bill, with such
notifications mayI remove objections without
destroying the efficiency OF the measure.
the committee Is constrained to believe that the
soldiers in the field, who have been true to duty,
will recognize the ineflicency of existing remedies
Cor the evils of absenteeism and desc rton and will
| approve, unavoidable necessity, almost any
measure calculated 10 secure the return to service
OF those whose presence Is demanded by the most
urgent considerations Of public safety.
In answer to the complaint that Congress had de-
layed the passage of the 'negro soldier bill until
L the measure had lost much Of its value, the COM
mittee suggest the following reasons for the delay
i lst The opinion of the President expressed in
his regular message at the beginning Of the
| session, that, beyond the ''limit" Of employing
slaves as s'pioneer" and 'engineer" aborers it did
not seem to him desirable under existing circum.
Stances to co." That 1.-THE subject Is to be viewed
by vs. solely in the light of policy and social
i economy :" that, 'swhen so regarded" he 1.-THE
Presidency ''must dissent from those who advise a
general levy and arming of the slaves for the duty
/ Of soldiers :" that, ''unti our white population
shall prove insufficient for tie armies We require,
and can keep in the field, )" on 'the alternative Of
subugation' or ''the employment Of the slave as
soldier" be presented, the Preside nj assured the
Congress that. the policy of arming the slave