The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-22 00:00:00

Lord Palmerston and the Wilts Volunteers.

The fourth annual meeting of the Wilts Rifle
Association was brought to a most successful ter-
minationyesterday by a grand fete in Wilton-park,
under the auspices of the youthful Earl of Pem•
broke and his noble mother, Lady Herbert, in the
presence of the Premier and Lady Palmerston.
After the great meeting of the National Rifle Asso-
ciation, that of the county of Wilts commands the
first place amid the local gatherings, both from the
number of competitors, and the amount and value
of the prizes offered—a result entirely owing to the
liberality of the landed proprietors and gentry of
the county, for, in addition to local prizes to the
value of £390, a farther sum of £3OO was given for
general competition, which attracted the large num-
bet of 230 candidates.
The shooting commenced on Thursday last, at the
butts near the ancient city of Salisbury, and so close
was the competition that it was not brought to a
close until late yesterday, owing to the great num.%
ber of ties which had to be shot off.

The chief prize was a challenge cup, to become
the absolute property of the winner for three con-
secutive years. To this the mayor and corporation
of Salisbury add a silver vase for the winner each
year. The previous holders have been Sergeant
Batler,Salisbury, 1861; Sergeant Wilton, S alisbury,
1863; Lieut. Hitchcock, Market Lavington, 1863.
This year it has been won by Sergeant Jeffries, of
the 6th Wilts. Lady Herbert and Lady H. Wat.
son Taylor presented two claret jugs as ladies'
prizes,
and the ladies of Salisbury gave a silver
coffee pot to be competed for by marksmen. Other
prizes were given by Mr T. H. R. Poynder, Mr S.
Watson Taylor, General Buckley, Col. Bathurst,
M.P., Mr Marsh, M.P., Mr Sothern-Eitcourt, M.P.,
Lord H, Thynne, M.P., Mr T. F. Grove, Mr E.
Hamilton, &c.

Lady Herbert gave a grand luncheon to her
guests and about 600 of the elite of the county, after
which the prizes were distributed on a platform
erected on the lawn in front of Wilton House.
Among the company present were Lord and Lady
Palmerston, the Marquis of Bath, Earl Nelson, Lord
Arundel', Earl Grosvenor, Lord H. Thynne, M.P.,
the Earl of Carnarvon, Sir F. Bathurst, Colonel
Bathurst, M.P., Mr Bouverie, M.P., Mr Antrobus,
M.P., Mr Marsh, M.P., Mr Danby Seymour, M.P.,
Lord and Lady Hey, tesbury, General Buckley, the
Marquis and Marchioness of Winchester, Count
Strzelecki, Bec.
Lady HERBERT, who was received with a warm
burst of cheering, came forward and said—" In the
absence of the Marquis of Ailesbury, who is unfor•
tunately detained in Yorkshire, the Earl of Calmar•
vcsn, as the nearest relative of the family, has kindly
undertaken to speak on my behalf."
'The Earl of CARNARVON, after briefly reviewing
the uce and progress of the Volunteer trovement,
-and bearing testimony to the public spirit and
efficiency of the Wilts Volunteer corps, called upon
the hon. secretary, Mr. E. P. Kelsey, to read out
the list of the winners of prizes. The successful
candidates, who each came forward as his name
was called and received his prize from the hands of
Lull Herbert were :—Sergeant Wilton, Ist Wilts—
Sergeant Coombes, 4th Wits—Private Phillips, 4th
Wilts—Corporal Baker, 7th Wilts—Private Barley
and Sergeant Rees, 4th Wilts—Corporal Thomas,
2d Wilts—Private S. Chivers, sth Wilts—Sergeant
Butler, let Wilts—Private O'Reilly, sth Wilts—
Sergeant Ward, 5,h Wilts—Corporal Allen, 14th
Wilts—Corporal Pike, sth Wilts—Private Hobbs,
7th Wilts—Sergeant Allen, 14th Wilts—Corporal
Davis, 9th Wilts—Private J. Chivers, sth Wilts—
Private Hobbs and Corporal Baker, Ist Wilts—
Lieut. Hitchcock, 7th Wilts—Corporal Sloper,
Wilts Yeomanry—Sergeant Butler and Ensign
Hitchcock, 7th Wilts—Private Watson, let -Wilts
—Sergeant Till, 14th Wilts— Sergeant Butler and
Sergeant Neate, 7th Wilts—Hon. Member Hum-
phries and Corporal Fidler, 14th Wilts—Private
Watson and Corporal Marshman, 2d -Wilts—Pri-
vate O'Reilly and Corporal Wild, Wilts Yeomanry
—Private Redropp, 2d Wilts,
Lord PALMERsTON then presented the challenge
cup to the winner, Sergeant Jeffries, of the 6th
"Wilts. The noble lord, who met with n meet enthu-
siastic welcome, said—Gentlemen Volunteers—l ad-
dress those who are volunteers, and those who mean
to be Volunteers. (Cheers.) It has afforded me great
pleasure to obey the commands of Lady Herbert in
presenting to this good shot and excellent soldier the
challenge cup which I have just put in his hands, for
this cup embodies that principle which leads to dis-
tinction in every career —I mean the principle of hon-
ourable emulation. It is not only won by successful
emulation, but it must be annually kept by success-
fulemulation, and without disparagement to the gal-
lant soldier who has so well won it, I may express a
hope that next year it may be won by a better
shot—(laughter)—than he who has now become
the holder of this valuable trophy. My noble friend
has eloquently and truly dilated on the causes
which led to the original establishment of the Vo-
lunteer system of this country, and I must say that
a nobler display of national feeling, of sagacious
patriotism, and of persevering courage was never
exhibited by any nation. (Cheers.) Its original
cause was, as my noble friend stated, temporary,
but I trust that its effects will be permanent, and
that this institution so valuable and so important
to ,the best interest of the country, will continue
for all ages to come to be a great national institu-
tion. It is quite true that some few years ago, cir-
cumstances to which it is unnecessary to advert led
the people of this country to reflect that the ordi-
nary
and established means of defence were not
sufficient to keep away the dangers which it fore•
saw might at all events be possible. We differ in
many things from the great Powers of the Conti.
vent. We live on an island accessible to any invader
who might chance to land on our shores at almost
every point of our large maritime circumference.
We therefore cannot pretend to defend ourselves as
continental States may do, which, being accessible
in only one avenue of attack, by one valley or by
one pass, may sufficiently fortify their vulnerable
points, and by stationing there a military force
may think themselves secure from the invading
enemy. 'We have not thought it possible, and it
would bo idle and foolish to attempt to fortify the
whole of the extensive shores which begirt these
islands, We have done that which is within our
means and which is sufficient for our purpose. We
have begun and carried out to a great extent these
works which are necessary to protect from sudden
attack those naval dockyards and arsenals which
are the cradles of our maritime power and the
defenders of the best interest of the country ; for
it is needless for me to point out that if we lost
the command of the seas which surround our
shores and a hostile squadron was allowed to
blockade our ports, our commerce, our industry,
and our independence would be seriousy endan-
gered. (Cheers.) This work was begun by the
late noble occupant of these estate?' who devoted his
best energies to commence these operations. His
plans have been followed out, and I trust they will
soon be successfully completed. Well, although the
defence of England,if she is ever attacked, must be
by armies on the' field, it is not our habit, it does
not suit our constitution nor our interest to assem-
ble permanently under arms those hundreds of
thousands of soldiers who may be found in every
country of Europe. We think that it would be an
unnecessary pressure on our own resources to keep
and maintain such a force in time of peace. 'We
think that it would draw away a valuable portion
of the people from thY pursuits of industry, and be
a drain on the wealth and resources of the country
for a time of emergency. We have, however, the
Militia—an admirable force, well disciplined, ably
officered, and animated with the beat spirit. 'We
have thus a force of some 112,000 men reedy, if the
peceeion be required, to take its place in line be
side the regular army. Well, then,
volunteers of d f gentlemen, the
the deficiency, _ n comt, orward to make up
a‘Ydeovu,
devotion
forward
.with courage,
rotnraiotair,ra%de,
whietyhon to the. public service be-
yond
all
the worn,
and
.1 he admiration
has entitled you to the
warme3t thanks of thweheeloncu'ry. I believe lam not
overstating the case
that at the present
moment there are from 150,00013' to
a 1640,000
volun-
teers organised, equipped,
with officers who have made them;elvpsatecq
disciplined
.ine
acquainted
with their duties, and re know that w a these