Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-22
Gov. Watts in Favor OF Friendly but
CONFIDENTIAL RemOnstrances.


CONFIDENTIAL RemOnstrances.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF ALA.,l
MONTGOMERY, Feb. ID. 1865.
Hts ErceIEe4lcy 6Og. KG0rGth, Of South Caro-
tina:
ming L have received your commune a.
tiOns of the S0th Of January and LIST of
February.
have no hesitation in saying that
most cordially concur in the general
purposes aud views expressed by you.
The States are the sovereign parties to the
government of the Confederate States.
They are the creators; it, the thing Great
ed. The constitution is the great power
OF attorney, by which alone tie govern
Eent OF the Confederate States derives It's
powers; and strict construction of those
powers is essential to the sovereignty and
prosperity OF the States. This cOnstItu-
tion was made to govern in war and
peace, and l know of no sound rule of
construction which would vary the in
depreciation Of the constitution to suit
the seeming exigencies of each occasion.
The constitution was made for the
protection of the States and the people of
the States in the enjoyment of their rights
and liberties. Whatever tends to the en-
joyment OF these In their fullest measure
The usurpations which war engenders
admOnish us that 'eternal vigilance is
the price" which the STATES and the DeO-
pie must pay for the preservation of their
liberties.
We must never forget that the govern
ment OF the Confederate States being the
common agent of the States, cannot,
constitutiOnally, have interests or Objects
antagonistic to those of TIE States. Nor
should the States cease to regard it with
the friendly affection parents feel for
their child. Ii the child ls hayward and,
with the flush of power, becomes forget
full OF the respect and duty to his parents,
he must be admOnished in the spirit OF
love and Christian charity. Such ad-
monitions rarely fail TO correct the errors
OF the hayward child, while harsh
treatment will but widen and deepen the
breach.
Just this course 1 understand you to
propose toward the government of the
errors have been committed by the Presi-
dent, his heads of departments, and by
Congress. More watchfulness ON the
part Of the States might have prevented
these. Future watchfulnes may not
only prevent future errors, but may
greatly mitigate the effects Of those al
ready committed.
know Of no better plan to accomplish
this desired end than the one you pro-
pose. /, as the representative of the peo-
pie of Alabama, will heartily unite with
you and the Executive Of other States in
friendly remonstrance to the President
or to Congress, against measures which
may be deemed detrimental to the inter-
ests OF the separate States, or to the cause
in which all are now engaged. much
prefer. il the first instance, ct least, that
these renORstrGRceS SAGlL be confidential.
The interests of the States composing
the Confederacy are essentially the same
in peace. In the present war they are
identical. Whatever, therefore, strength
ems one adds to the strength of the CON-
mon cause, and promotes the ultimate
success of all.
AS far as my power extends under the
constitution and laws of Alabama, i
shall at times cooperate with the other
States. / am reminded, however, that
the powers of the Executive OF Alabama
are small. Under the laws as they now
stand, the troops of Alabama cannot.
without their consent, be taken beyond
the limits of the State. Feeling fully the
importance of extending aid to Georgia
last summer, / called the attention OF OuI
LEGISLATURE to the defect in the laws al
the extra session held in SeDtember last
Again, at the regular annual session
held in November last, the same re.
concentrations were urged. l regret tC
say these defects were not remedied by
the Legislature. ] fear, knowing the
T. mper of the Legislature, that nothing
better can be done until new election
shall place in power other men.
The militia power OF Alabama 10 para
lived by provision in our law that the
| frst-claes militia cannot be carried be
yOnd the limits Of their respective cOun
ties without their consent.
The second-class militia, properly State
militia, originally composed of all males
between seventeen and fOrty-five not IL
the Confederate service, have been greatly
| reduced by the action Of Congress Of the
last winters session.
This class of militia is composed nov
mainly Of bonded agriculturists, ard doei
not amount to more than fifteen hundred
efficient men in the whole State, including
about three hundred cadets Of the Stat
University.
The first class of militia lie composed O
boys between sixteen and seventeen years
| Of age and men between fifty and sixty
OF this class twenty thousand efficien
men might be obtained were it not tina
| the law limits their services to their re
spectiVe counties.
The Legislature has made ample pro
vision for arrestiug deserters and strag
glers from the armies, and l trust thai
much good may result from the energetic
execution OF such laws.
The impressment laws of Congress have
been unfortunate in their operation. II
my judgment, good policy dictated bu
| little use for them. The supply Of oul
armies could have been better and more
| cheaply made in another mode. TINT
| laws themselves, and their abuse, hav'
together dampened greatly the affection
| and spirit Of our people toward the Con