Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-09
GOVERNOR CALLS
PEOPLE TO DUTY
Issues Proclamation lin This
Most Solemn Hour Of Our
National History"
DESTINY HANGING IN BALANCE
No Favoritism to Be Shown in
Selecting Men for Su-
premc Service.
DESTINY HANGING IN BALANCE

prosecution of the war Governor
stuart yesterday issued n proclamation
10 tho people Of the state. calling
thcm TO duty lin this most solemn hour
OF our national history"
Tho proclamation dwclls with stir
ring emphasis Oh tho part Virginia has
played from tho earliest foundations OF
the country in lighting tho beacon fires
Of every struggle against opprcssion
and calls upon the men of Virginia not
TO prove la--ards il this hour. when
thoir destiny as a free people hangs in
tie balance.
In selecting mon for tho .,unrcme
duty. says the Governor. there will 4,c
no favoritism. The wealthy or cJu-
Gated viii no, he permitted to purchase
exemption by hiring substitutes Tho
elected officers nf' the people them
selves will form the boards. which Will
in each locality enroll the citizenry in
the country's service
TEXT or GOVERNORS
AUDNESs TO PEOPLE:
The Governors proclamation follows
in ful:
, To tho People Of Virginia:
In this most solemn hour of our ma
tional history. when our destiny as n
free people hangs in the balance. il is
we'll that VIC. as NirElnans. before en-
terinS upon the serious work that lies
just ahead Of Us. should take counsel
OF the obligations that rest upon US as
a people. in order that we may better
understand and more efficiently per-
form the duties TO which We are called
by the voice Of tie nation.
Virgins: is one Of the units upon
which the national government relies
for tho execution OF the military pro-
gram under which our army Of defense
is TO be raised and sent to the camp
and TO the field. The wo:li intrustcd
TO her must be done by the use of state
and local governmental machinery. act
ing as agencies OF the national govern
ment. The zeal. fidelity and efficiency
OF these State agencies will measnre
I the value Of our first contribution to
the cause of our country.
The President OF tie United Sta:es
has given TO mankind statement OF
our case. as a nation. in words that
have caught the car OF the world. and
now constitute the accepted creed. not
only OF every household in our own
land hut OF all governments and all
peoples evcryW here which are free or
desire 10 lie free. Let me. therefore.
approach our task i'll the spirit of this
great message. remembering that this
is no longer consistent with natioua
honor. or even national existence Tie
price OF peace WAS the abandonment OF
our transatlantic commerce and the
hanishment OF our ships. our people
and our flag from the high seas.
To pay such Il price would have
meant not only the leaving OF tho blood
~ ON = Ian ~ in az al
needed and unavenged. but would also
have meant the closing OF the mar
kets OF the world against our products
III violation Of every reasonable inter
probation Of established internationa!
law. and thus Il deathblcw to our trade
and commerce. The wheels or industry
would cease 10 turn and the products
Of field mine and factory would he
without foreign outlet or profitable
market our workincmen and wacc
earnsrs would he left without remuner-
atiNe employment or tho means of sup
port, and ruin and hunger would stalk
abroad III our land hand in hand with
national shame and dishonor.
II is automatic that no nation can
live or deserve to live that abandons
the obligation 10 protect the life.
liberty and property Of its citizens on
Surely in the days of our power and
strength aS a nation wc are able and
willing To fight for the princ!plc Of
the freedom OF the seas which was
won FOR us by our forefathcrs in their
poverty and weakness. II we fail to
maintain these rights when the other
free nations of the earth arc standing
with us shoulder to shoulder. how may
VIC expect TO maintain them single
handed in "A future struggle confronted
by a possibly victorious people trained
to arms from tho cradle holding above
us tho stern menace OF a power in
Nincible:
The struggle upon which VIC arc
ca He'd 10 enter appeals not only to tho
patriotic passion. hut to the direct ma
tcrial interest of every class OF citizens
and should. therefore. he fought by
every class Of citizens With this in
Hiew. the army will he made up OF
men drafted from civil life by "a process
OF selection. in which will he taken
those men of suitable age who may he
hest spared from the various fields of
useful production.
First. all mon between certain ages
mot Yet definitely fxcd) must register
There can he no favoritism i'm this
registration. 1T will reach all alike
the rich and poor, professional man and
business man. artisan and laborcr
THIS is not system Of conscription
within the old meaning OF the term. Ivy
winch system tho wealthy and pros
porous and educated might purchase
the service Of substitute. On the
contrary. this is a system OF universal
and unacceptable liability to service.
whether il he military, Industrial COM
mcrc'al. professional or agricultural.
all equally honorable il performed in
the same spirit OF patriotism and nt
the call of the nation.
The administration of the law de-
wolves upon tho Governor OF each State
In Virginia tho authority is conferred
on mo by the Federal law as chief
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