with their existence; because with their civilization is that true, great, and real bond by which these States can be maintained in the close and unchanging relation to each other which will preserve them against disaster and secure to them the fruits of success. The necessities of the hour have induced the Legislature of this State to apply in a very material circumstance a mode of relief for the exigencies which affect us. The restriction of the militia of this State to duty only within its own territorial limits has been removed and the power given to the Governor, when in his judgment it is necessary, to send that force beyond the limits of the State. The circumstances which now surround us make this power of great consequence, especially to conterminous States, and the connection between States so situated of course becomes extended until it embraces all. However the efficiency which ordinarily would result from the exercise of this power may be modified by the large proportion of those who by the operation of the conscription act are now in service, I have no doubt that there still remains a large force subject to the call of the State governments. These, as they may be found in peculiar exigencies in two or three States contiguous to each other, welded into a compact and organized mass, would be to the States a strong if not an adequate means of resistance to any force which a Part from the large armies of the United States might threaten our internal peace.

In relation to this force as it exists in the other States the Executive of each State should be accurately informed. If the understanding was in each State that its reliance could be had in any emergency upon the aid to be thus afforded, it would give to its home militia all of that confidence which results from the knowledge that its strugglers would not be unaided. This source of mutual aid, moral as well as physical, I propose to you that we should acknowledge and use when the occasion arises. Such an organization ew of great consequence; it ay be of great importance in connection with events which cannot be disregarded. Richmond may fall; the Army of Virginia may be ordered into North Carolina. I have great apprehension that the portion of it composed of the men of Virginia will not leave their State. It is natural under the circumstances of the case that they would not. If they do not, the army is disintegrated and its dissected and disheartened parts will find in their own States a home organization; it will be a reserve upon which they can rally. If there is no such support for them they will in their despair and the confusion it will beget banish order, and with that will depart, perhaps, even the form of government. This great evil, certainly second to but one other which can be anticipated, I believe we can avert. Our cause will not be lost while we can sustain the heart of our people, and that heart you can sustain while you can show the people the great, although much diminished, force with which we can resist the enemy. However much we may hope that we shall rise superior to the reverses which have befallen us, it is yet only in the development of the moral and the physical resources of the people that we will find the means by which our success can be assured. If we will sustain the flagging spirit of our people and use the physical power which is within our control, I am sure we still have he resources out of which and with which we can accomplish our deliverance. But these resources, if developed, must be so done concurrently and unitedly. They must be regarded in each State as a part of those resources upon which the others can rely, adopt, and use when the occasion renders them necessary. And upon this point there must be some preconcert, or the action of one State might affect the policy or