Year: 1861




On the proposition before the Conoention to recon-
slider the Seuen Regiment Ordinance, June 24th,
1861 l. -1t, Sd e'a .-f5.Ad - ~
Mr.. Smith said: He had not intended to say any
thing at this time upon the ordinance under consd-
eration having discussed it at length two previ-
GUS occasions, but as the discussion had taken
wide range he felt it his duty to reply to some of
the objections that had been urged against it -
Much had been said about the motives of gentle
men; he took it for granted that every gentleman
was actuated by pure and patriotic motives As for
himself he came here free from any party feeling
determined to do what he thought best for the hon.
or and interest of the State, with no disposition to
find fault with the Governor He thought he had
discharged his duties to the best of his ability and
with pure intentions, but he could not say that all
his acts met with his appreciation At an early pc.
rod of the session he had directed his attention to
the defenceess condition of the seaboard, and with
the view of affording il protection, without consul
tatlon with any one he had offered the ordinance
now under consideration. Let US examine its pro.
visions. 1t provides for raising Immediately one
regiment Of cavalry and six regiments Of infantry for
the defence of the seaboard of tine State If this is
nece sary it is the duty of this Convention to pass
this ordinance at once and quiet the apprehensions
of many persons in the Eastern section of the State
All the information that he had, brought him to the
conclusion, that exemption from attack and in





cessfully repel the enemy, but to other causes We
had an extent of seacoast 800 miles in length,
with numerous in'etS, some of which had been
partially defended by batteries. but gentlemen in
this Convention living in those counties had assur-
ed him that in calm weather there were many points
where al army of thousands might be landed in one
| day without molestation-wthout solitary senti-
mel to give the alarm or soldier to oppose them
lie appealed to gentlemen to know whether they
tn ,latlo. Al
were willing to leave the only vulnerable points in our
State open to the enemy-points where he could
strike US with most effect, and when once in their
possession, could not be wrested from them during
| the war, let its continuance be ever so long.


As to the number Of troops called for, it would be
recollected that the chairman Of the military COM
mttee had stated on former occasion, that it was
| about the number called for by Gen. Gwynn, the
general in command on the coast He desired here
to call attention to the letter of Gov Ellis in refer
ence to the coast defences. He says "that if our
batteries are properly served fact of which (the
Governor) could entertain no doubt, the power of
the United States Navy is not sufficient to effect an
entrance into any one of the harbors of the State"
With due difference to the opinion of the Governor
he ventured to say that no military man of any
putation, nor any reliable gentleman would endorse
that opinion. The fact that the Governor had such
entire confidence in our defences gave him the more
uneasiness, we might not expect much effort to
be made when he considered every thing secure.
1t is charged by gentlemen that this ordinance
will interfere with the military defences of the State
and conine to particular locality portion Of the
troops In reply to this, he had to say that if gen.
t|emen would examine it carefully and give it that
fair construction which they gave to other bills of
similar character, they would find difficulty about
it. 1t proposed to raise the troops in the East be.
cause they were more acclimated and better &C.
quainted with the country, and it was right that
they should be assigned the duty of defending their
homes and resides in preference to those from 9TH
parts of the State, however brave they might be.
lie repelled the argum ment of some gentlemen who
called this peace establishment, intended for in
glorious ease and security. He knew that many Of
the brave men who would be stationed on the coast
would prefer to go forward and meet the advancing
enemy. but it must be remembered that it was just
as important to guard the rear the front, and in
all military operations there must be many who can
take part in the BATTLE and who must be content
to see the laures plucked by Others This ordn.
ance does not deprive the Governor of his place as
comlnandern nchief or interfere with the appoint
ment Of any one to whom he may assign the com
/ mand. He submitted that he has the power under
this as well as under acts of Assembly to which
it REFERS to order the troops to any point he might
see fit In the act Of the General Assembly for the
raising Of State troops special power is given the
! Governor Tor removing them beyond the State, ye,
he will very properly send them out it is necessa
~. and so with liberal construction of this ordin
ance he will do also, if in his judgment he deems il
necessary. He thought gentlemen had mlsconstru
ed it. if they thought there any limitation ofthe
number of troops to be sent to the seaboard in
of necessity. He submitted that there was no linn
tation, and if an attack was made on the coast he
could order the whole force Of the State to repel it


In conclusion, he would beg gentlemen, and par
ticuary Eastern ones to consider well before they
determined to vote down this ordinance. We can
not tell what day or ar hour may bring forth, ant
how our soil may be pressed by the feet of ar
invading foe. If those whose duty it to do So havs
made timely preparations to drive them back, ant
our homes and iresides shall be protected from the
vanda invasions, no one will more cheerfully aware
the meed of praise but Sir. if this is not done ant
from any neglect here Or elsewhere. the Northern
foe shall land upon our coast and destruction shal
follow his footsteps is the case in neigh
Dor Virginia they will be held to fearful reckoning
by an indignant people. For one he had discharged
his duty and would leave to others the responsible
ty of voting down this ordinance after having twic
received the appreciation Of a majority in this body.
.-'- For the Standard.


TO THE WAKE GUARDS,