Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-01
CITY AND SUBURBAN.
GEN. T1rz. LEES FAREWELL.
HE Parting wsras with she soldiers OF the
Fsrrs ysrsisis Brigade.


Me Parting wsrds with she soldiers OF IN
Fsrrs vsSsisis Brigade.
Colonel G. ]. Anderson, Of the firs
regiment, has received the following:
HEApouARTERs FIRST BRIGADE, !
VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS,
ALEXANDRIA. Va,
March 13, 1885. J
TO he Soldiers Of the First Brigade
The undersigned has to-day tenderet
TO the Governor and COMMANDMENT
Chief the resignation Of his commission
in the volunteer forces of Virginia.
In making the announcement 1t may
be proper to add that this step, which
sewers the past pleasant official relations
between us, has been taken only be
cause il has been found difficult tt
devote TO the duties and details OF the
service the time and attention so ncces.
sary to maintain the discipline, efii-
cheney, and welfare of the troops.
The last General Assembly of Vir-
ginis, irrespective Of party, recognized
:. that a government TO be worth the
name must possess a power back Of the
laws to secure their enforcement" and
gave to the Virginia volunteers better
laws than previously existed. with the
means to carry out their provisions.
Seventy-seven years ago, when but
seventeen States formed the American
Union, with total population scarcely
exceeding seven millions, the Federal
Government directed by law that the
sum Of two hundred thousand dollars
should be annually appropriated for the
use of the militia Of the States. Of that
amount Virginia then received thirty
thousand dollars.
The same Federal law exists to-day,
but so many States have been added to
the Union since that Virginia's share
now is only five thousand dollars per
annum. The rapid increase of the
republic in population in turn in
creases the chances Of riots. mobs,
and other local troubles. Congress
is therefore wisely giving their at
tention to the augmentation Of the
sum to be distributed to State troops
under the direction Of State govern
mcnts--frst, because if the parent
Government becomes involved in war
its reliance in great part is upon the
force of the States /; and secondly, if in
surrection or other disturbance rear its
head within State limits, it should be
disposed of by State authority, and not
by the only other alternative-a call for
troops of the United States--which in
itself is repugnant to the form Of re-
publican government. SO Thomas
Jefferson thought when he said. =" For
a people who are free and mean to re-
main so, a well-organized and armed
militia is their best security" With.
therefore, this prospect Of an increase
in the Federal appropriation, and with
the support the State has already
given. it is confidently believed
that with proper watchfulness and
care the Virginia volunteers may
be trained TO high standard Of
proficiency. Within the State limits
such troops would be potent in pro-
tecting life and property and prcscrv-
ing the public peace: and when out
side of her border and acting with the
soldiers from other States would reflect
credit upon themselves and be source
of pride to proud Commonwealth.
With such belief in your future. |
subscribe myself your friend,
FITZHUGn LEE.
Governor Cameron wrote General
Lee very pleasing letter urging him to
withdraw his resignation, but General
Lee declined TO do so therefore the
Governor has ordered that the field
officers of the four regiments meet on
May 9th to elect General Lees success
sor.
While General Lees name has been
frequently mentioned in connection with
a foreign mission, il is proper to say
that he has never been an applicant for
a mission or any other Office under the
Federal Government.