The Public defence.
--The report of
Adjutant-General Richardson to the
Executive, which was transmitted to the Legislature by
Governor Letcher along with his message, is a brief paper, containing some very sensible recommendations concerning the organization of a force for the public defence from the marauding incursions and sudden raids of the enemy.
The
Adjutant-General urges that every man not liable to conscription, able to bear arms without respect to age be enrolled, "if not for active service, at least for protection and defence at home." He urges that in this organization company officers alone be elected by the members, and that the
Governor be authorized to appoint the field officers — that there be a re-examination of exemptions, many of which have been improperly granted — that the forces organized should not be limited to cities and towns where organized, but should be required to go wherever required in cases of sudden emergency within the
State.
This is very proper, and we are sure the Legislature will incorporate a feature to this effect in the law they will pass on the subject.
General R. assuming correctly that "while the struggle lasts it will require every man to be in the field who is physically able to serve there," recommends the repeal of the law allowing substitutes, and has the following proper remarks on this subject:
‘
"An individual who has the means of hiring a substitute remains at home, with all its pleasures and comforts, free to pursue his business or calling, whatever that may be. --On the other hand, the man who is too poor to provide a substitute, and who in very many cases has a wife and children dependent upon his daily labor for their support, must leave all, and take his place in the ranks, to meet the exposures and hardships of the march and the camp and the hazards of the battle.
Can there be any wrong in calling upon him, who, through his pecuniary advantages is sheltered in the bosom of his family, to defend his own home and the homes of the poorer class, who, in constant peril of life and limb, are fighting the common enemy at a distance?
"Moreover, the substitute system has been productive of the most atrocious frauds. --Here, in the city of
Richmond, it has been a regular traffic.
Persons have undertaken to raise companies ostensibly for the active volunteer force, but really for the pecuniary benefit derivable from this most discreditable business.
Men enrolled their names in these companies only for the purpose of escaping service by getting in substitutes, who deserted as soon as they were mustered into service, and played the same game over again as often as they had a chance to do so. But apart from this, it has the effect of replacing men in the ranks who
have a country and a home to fight for, by such as have no country, no home, permanent interest or attachment anywhere.
Hence the thousands of deserters and stragglers from the army at the most critical times, by which the fruits of brilliant victories have been lost, and the utter annihilation of the armies of our detestable enemy more than once prevented."
’
