The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-21 00:00:00

Ce tou tbe t)serber.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1871.

THE DEFENCES OF THE COUNTRY.

The long-continued war which still rages on ,
the Continent has had the effect of turning men's
minds, in our own country and elsewhere, to the
state of their several armaments, while the re.
cent threatening demands of Russia, the possi-
bility of the neutrality of Belgium or of Lux.
ewburg being trenched upon, and other circum.
stances—not forgetting the aggressive spirit of
Prussia—have specially called attention to the
alleged weakness of our own defensive forces.
On the whole subject of our defensive position
extreme opinions have been uttered on either
side. On the one hand it has been asserted that
both the army and navy are in a sadly inefficient

state, and that we are ieither prepar-ed properly
to defend our colonies nor our native land; and
on the other hand it is maintained that there is
not the slightest probability of our being at.
tacked, and that if we were we could easily in-
crease our forces, and that we are making 'ouch
ado about nothing. The truth probably lies be-
tween the two extremes, lie this as it may, the
opinion is gaining ground that our army and
navy, our militia and volunteers, all want looking
to—that in fact we ought to put our house in
order, in case of an attack which may be ever so
improbable, or in case of our being compelled to
go to was in support of our treaty obligations.
Public opinion in this direction is so strong that
it is regarded as a matter of course that Uovern-
went will, at an early period of the approaching
session, propose measures for the development
and strengthening of our military and naval
forces. NN,e may as well prepare ourselves there-
fore for a considerable demand on the national
purse, and, meanwhile, it may be interesting to
note what an eminent civilian and an equally
eminent soldier have to say on the subject, re-
garding it as they do from very different points
of view.

Ihe other day Lord Derby spoke wisely on
the fitful uncertainty of public opinion in regard
to defence and defiance, and showed that the
country was very liable to be led away by cause-
less panic on the one hand, or to be strangely
apathetic on the other; and pointed out that just
now the tendency was in the former direction.
" Everybody is agreed," he said, 'that national
defence ought to be made thoroughly effective;
there is no question about that, but if we mean
only defence, let us say 80, and stick to that; if
we mean something more, as some of us do, let
those who do el) acknowledge the fact," When
Lord Derby wildly remarks, as some of us do,"
he suggests a fact on which we need not insist
—that there are unfortunately amongst us manv
writers and speakers who seem to do all in then.
power to foster a war spirit, and who would ap-
pear to mean defiance when they talk of defence.
Though this party is happily losing ground, it is
pretty generally confessed that we must streng-
then our defensive forces, and the plan that
Lord Derby suggested—that the country should
be divided into districts, and each district supply
a certain number of militia or volunteers, or, iii
default contribute so much money per man de-
ficient—commends itself to the good sense of
the country the mare it is considered, and we
hope it will be fairly considered in Parliament.
Sir W. Mansfield, the Commander of the Forces
in Ireland, takes very different view of the mat-
ter, and it view which, we believe, the more it is
considered, will become more and more unpopu-
lar. Having elaborately stated—we cannot say
shown—that army, militia, and volunteers all
seem to be pulling different ways," he remarked
that this conflict of interests arose, in his opini-
on, "front the fact that every one of these mili-
tary bodies relies for its existence solely on the
voluntary principle." Sir William thinks that
this voluntary principle is rightly applied to the
regular army and the volunteers, but with regard
to the militia he uttered an opinion which is .
now being much commented upon, and which
will assuredly be quoted in the debates of next
session. " I believe it to be absolutely necee
Nary," he says, "that we should revert to the
principle of obligation—that is, that every man,
without respect to rank or to hie position in the
world, should he liable to serve in his own per-
son in the militia." Admitting the necessity of
certain exemptions having regard to employ-
ment, he insists on " the primary obligation on
every man to serve in his own person; and no
pecuniary sum of any amount should enable a
mail, a hatcver his raid: or position in the coun-
try, to save his person by means of his purse."
After this utterance we find the word "cheers.
They must have proceeded front unthinking peo-
ple, caught by the claptrap about rank and posi-
tion. But this will never do, Sir William ; there
is no necessity for it; and it would be imposing

THE STO', FRIDGE oPSET ITER.

LATEST NEWS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION TELE9RAMS.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

oi ay of the Dissenting bodies of the town.
one of the most numerously-attended meet-
ings which the association had over witnessed, it
was unanimously decided that such should not
be taken, as it was felt by almost all present that
the distinctive character under which the asso-
ciation was founded, and had so long prospered,
should be strictly maintained. It should be
borne in mind, however, that with the exception
of president and other officers of the association
it was open to members of all Christian denorn-
inations. At the same time, the committee de-
sired to express their conviction that as a church
association it might and ought to be doing more
for the extension of Christ's kingdom, and great
benefit might be conferred upon the town and
neighbourhood if all its members would work
unitedly and assist the clergy of the district.
The committee hoped more earnestness would
be witnessed during the ensuing year, and that
they would not allow the association to sink into
a mere instrument for their own convenience
and divertisement. The income of the past year
had amounted to £132 Ss 6d, and the expenditure
to .1278 5s Hid. The apparent decrease of
names was owing to a large number of non-pay-
ing members having been erased from the list.
The committee noticed with pleasure the large
number of new members during the past year,
no fewer than 65 having been admitted. The
issues from the library have been in a favourable
I increase. The committee acknowledge with
thanka the donation of 18 volumes from Mr.
Holier, through the Rev. T. Williams, and also
seven volumes from Miss E. H. Freer, which had
been added to the library.
Upon the motion of Mr. Newnam, seconded
by Mr. S. Colborne, the report was adopted.
The next business was the election of presi-
dent for the ensuing year.

Mr. Akerry proposed the election of Mr. Bol-
dero. Mr. A. Freer seconded it.

Mr. Dickson proposed the Rev. J. W. J. Welch,
which was seconded by Mr. Newnan]:
Mr. Thebridge proposed Captain Walker, and
Mr. J. Bird seconded it.

The voting showed the muabcrs to be for Mr.
Boldero, 16; Captain Walker, 15 ; and Mr.
Welch, 13.

Mr. Boldero was called into tho room, and
sequainted with the result; when he thanked
them for the honour they had conferred upon
him by electing him president for the ensuing
year. He had felt himself amost inclined to de-
cline the honour, but he thought it would be
very ungrateful to do so. Although his parish
duties at the present time were very heavy he
was quite willing to render them every assist-
ance ho could to promote the interests of the
association.

The vice-presidents were all re-elected, with
the additional names of Messrs. W. Corbett and
A. Jones.

The next was the election of the committee,
and the following gentlemen were appointed :
Messrs. Colborne, Paddon, Ridley, Dommett,
Dickson, Clarke, Bird, and Gatchfield.
Mr. Akerry proposed, and Mr. A. Clarke
seconded that Mr. Boden be re-elected as trea-
surer ; which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. Dixon proposed, and Mr. Bird seconded,
that Mr. Akerry be appointed secretary for the
ensuing year.--This was carried.
Mr. C. Holloway was then elected assistant
secretary.
The librarians were re-appointed.
The meeting fixed the 20th of February next
for the annual soiree of the association to be
held in the Corn Exchange.
The president closed the proceedings with the
benediction.