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

Lord Palmerston and the Wilts Volunteers.

_9--

The fourth annual meeting of the Wilts Rifle
Associltion was brought to a most onceessfut ter-
rnmation,yesterday 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-
elation, 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, iu addition to locAl pezes to the
value of £390, a further sum of £3OO was given for
general competition, which attracted the large num-
blr of 250 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.
bet. 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
Butler,Salisbury, 1861; Sergeant Wilton, Salisbury,
1862; Lieut. Hitchcock, Market Lavinkten, 1863.
This year it has been won by Sergeant Jeffries, of
the 6th Wilts. Lady Herbert and Lady H. Wet.
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•Estcourt, M.P.,
Thynne, M.P., Mr T. F. Grove, Mr E.
Lord H,
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
Arundell, 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 Heytesbury, General Buckley, the
Marquis and Marchioness of Winchester, Count
Strzelecki, &c.

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 unfora
tunately detained in Yorkshire, the Earl of Camara
von, as the nearest relative of the family, has kindly
undertaken to speak on my behalf."
The Earl of CARNARVON, after briefly reviewing
the use and progress of the Volunteer movement,
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
Lady Herbert were :—Sergeant Wilton, Ist Wilts—
Sergeant Coombes, 4th Wilts—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, Ist 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, Ist 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
cop to the winner, Sergeant Jeffries, of the 6th
Wilts. The noble lord, who met with a most enthu-
siastic welcome, said—Gentlemen Arolun teers—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 goud 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—l 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 ❑ever
exhibited by any nation. (Cheers.) Its original
cause was, as my noble friend stated, temporary,
bat 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.
nent. We live on an island accessible to any invader
who might chance to land on our snores at almost
every point of our large maritime circumference.
We therefore cannot pretend to defend ourselves as
continental State's 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
wows be idle and foolish to attempt to fortify the
whole of the ex tensive shores which begirt these

islands, We 'nave done that which is within our

means and which is sufficient for our purpose. We
have begun and carried cut 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 seriously endan-
gered. (Cheers.) This work was begun by the
late noble occupant of these estates 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 the 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 best spirit. \V c
have thus a force of some 112,000 men ready, if the
occasion ba required, to take its place in line be-
aide the regular army. Well, then, gentlemen, the
volunteers Of England come forward to make up
the deficiency. ltoecame forward with courage,
patriotism, and devotion
to the public service be-
yond all praise, has
excited the admiration
of all the world, and Which
has entitled you to the
warmest thanks of the county,
that at
I am not
overstating the case when I say at,tohoeopresent
moment there are from 150,000 to 16
volun-
teers organised, equipped, trained, and disciplined
with officers who have made themselves acquainted
With their duties, and we know that 'when these