St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-29
sake of illustration, to refer to two-impress-

ministered that upon the approach of the
enemy their resources. so far as they could
have been spared. would have been cOncen-
| trated before Atlanta, or co-operated with the
militia of Georgia in harassing the march
| upon Savannah, prestige easily Won would
| never have been won, and series of dsas-
tiers have marked the pathway Of the invader.
have merely referred to this illustration
because it is recent and shows at once the
necessity which has been and will be upon us
to call upon each other for aid, and therefore
the necessity for having that understanding
aud consent by which that aid, when it can
be given, will be most effectually rendered.
The state of South Carolina has recently
made provisions for affording such aid as it
can render by authorizing in certain cases
of its militia outside of its territorial limits.
l feel that truly represent the purpose of
the legislature and the feeling of the state.
From the legislation of the state of Ala
bama, in which the abuse of the authority to
i'm press is made misdemeanor, infer that
the same difficulties, and l may say wrongs,
have been eXpereD ced there which have been
| felt in other states. But in all of the states,
and IN all cases in which impressment has
been exercised, have observed two DOM
inant ideas, always so prominent and gen.
| erai that they are more than individuals.
One is that there is now no law prevalent in
these states, that no respect is due now to
the constitution, that the right of property is
subject to the visitation OF what is called a
military necessity, and that any person. Off
Ger or agent can determine for the particular
case whether he intends that it shall be con-
sidered as governed by this law of military
necessity or not. The second is that no re-
| t. ID, ffad
official conduct except to an immediate SUI
perior or the chief of some bureau. When
doctrine and practice like this prevail in our
states, it is time that the state governments
should interfere and prevent the great suffer
ing which the people of those states are
forced to undergo.
The great crime of desertion has grown up
under the influence of these opinions. An
immediate respon siblity has been inculcated
to the common government at Richmond,
and nowhere else. If the deserter can es-
cape the grasp of that government be con-
siders himself free, and in that freedom not
only relieved from all obligations to obey the
laws of the state, but invested with kind of
authority to ignore the laws of that state. Is
| this strange! He has been accustomed to
| see the laws of that state enforced, its
authority respected, the rights of persons
| and property protected. He sees those rights
| no longer protected, those laws no longer re-
spected, that authority inactive. Is it not
natural that he should see in the license to
| take, asserted by his superior, license also
| as lis to do the sames Hence do we see that
the sheriffs and other officers of the law in
these states are meuaced, defied and killed.
| The torpor Of our state govern ments has ill.,
| vited that disregard of their power and
authority which has been the source of great
mischief to each state and to the Confedera-
ton formed by these states.
+ pass Eow hastily to another view of this
proposition. Such intercourse and concert
| between state governments would enable
| them to exercise a wholesome influence, l
hope and believe, in many matters which,
under the conduct of the common govern
ment, have been now stamped rs unwise,
and the consequences of which are now
every where depored.
believe that truths spoken by these state
| governments, not uttered separately, but
unitediy, and winch would have the impress
of the mbined responsibility of the execu-
tives OF these states, must necessarily secure
attention to the suggestions in which they
are conveyed. What higher security can the
common government have its conduct,
what higher light to guide it in its course,
| than that which is derived directly from the
| immediate representatives of the states-the
preservation of the common interests Of these
states, being the end to be secured in the
establishment of that common government
And | believe that DOW is the most appro-
pirate time in which, if may use the term,
this reformation can be commenced. For,
with the disasters which have been every
where experienced, confidence has been
shaken and hope greatly staggered. 1t can
not be Disguised, | think, that, without the
| belief of some resource not yet brought into
activity by which the saddened fortunes of
| this Confederation can be relieved, general
| and fatal dependency would paralyZe the
| people and deadeu the meaDs of resistance.
At such Il time let it be felt and known that
| the state governments, which are the real
sources of the power administered by the
general government have for good purposes
resumed the accustomed exercise of their
| powers, and are exercising their authority TO
| bring forth the resources Of their respective
| states.
have no doubt of the result, no doubt of
the great good which would be produced
And in the prosecution of this view of the
power and duty of the state governments l
| nave PROPOSED 10 tne governors, whose names
| have already referred to- kindly, properly
aud truly to present to the president, conf
dentially even, If that is desired, such con-
| illusions as they have formed, or may form,
of the poity or impolity of certain measures
| of legislation or administration, and such
suggestions as to the practical exercise of the
powers OF that government in its subordinate
departments as have been experienced in
their actual operation.
| / am well satisfied that great good must
result from this free interchange of opinion,
aud in all cases, when practicable united ac-
| ton on the part Of the executives of these
states, either for the purpose Of suggesting
such action in the common government as
TO them may seem proper or of correcting
| such evils in the administration as are so
| frequently exhibited.
In this matter feel great interest, nor do
| ! desire to be considered as unaffected By
! great anxieiies. We are in the midst of
treat dangers, and it much behooves US all to
watch closely and do what we can to con-
tribute to the common good. In the sug-
material security for the people of those
states, and shall be rejoiced to know you
will concur and cooperate. With great re-
spect, your obedient servant
A. G.. MAGRATH.
His Exceilency Gov. Watts, Montgomery,
Ala.
Gen Hardee to Gov. Magrath