The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-13 00:00:00

lies its distinguishing feature and its intrinsic
strength. It took its rise from no speculative
attempt of military authorities, from no requisition
from headquarters, but simply, surely, and strongly
it took root in the heart of the nation. These
envious foreigners who call us a nation of shop-
keepers may change their tune now when we can
boast of a force of 170,000. Every class has con-
tributed its votaries to the cause—from the peer to
the peasant, as the Colonel mentioned, but the chief
number is composed of mechanics. During the
great continental war it would have been possible,
no doubt, to have obtained many such supporters,
but the like of the present demonstration was never
cb.;ervable in a time of peace. It is gratifying to
reflect upon that there must have been a marked
improvement is the condition of the community in
order to obtain such a result. The fact is that
knowledge may be disseminated for a considerable
period without cur witnessing much effect, and
people may go on saying that the understanding
and the reflection of the middle and lower classes
are greatly changed for the better without any
one really realising the thing in its true nature.
But let a great crisis come, or a startling event be
foreshadowed, and it will then be seen and recog-
nised how great and how good is the change. This
striking success of the Volunteer movement has
exemplified the increase of study, reflection, and
knowledge among classes not hitherto supposed to
have much to do with such subjects in their fullest
and highest extent and significance. The advan-
tages of acquirements are not realised until we can
understand and appreciate what we have learned.
We must apply knowledge to every-day life, or in
its capabilities and associations it will remain a
dead letter to us. Colonel M'MuRDo has imparted
an additional interest to the affair by ascribing so
much of the success of the movement to the intel-
ligence of classes that have not been given credit
for active brain-work by lookers-on generally, but
were suffered to be immersed in their usual
avocations to the neglect of better culture and the
absence of reflective contemplation, The real
source of strength to a country is in the spirit of
its inhabitants, but then the energy must be re-
strained within due limits, or it will be valueless ;
also, it is very necessary that precautions be taken
to provide against emergencies that may arise at
any time, and unquestionably will at some epoch
or other. There can be no doubt that we should not
have been left alone as we have been for some time
past had not the existence of our Volunteer forces
proved to impertinent intermeddlers that wo were
strong enough to confront them at all points. Sem.
per paratue is an admirable motto for a people to
adopt, and these self-elected defenders of their
country have conferred the negative advantage of
disproving the assertion that the English cannot be
trained to war unless they make it their
profession. Such fallacies are now put an end to,
and it is to be trusted that no efforts will be spared
to retain the present efficient state of the forces,
and, if possible, to increase it. Colonel l\l'MultDo
has done good service to the cause, and it will be
well if those whom he has so improved will remem-
ber his words, that, as they now stand," they form
a nucleus for a national force that will defy any ag-
gression.' It has been by patience and perseverance
that the work has hitherto prospered to such an
amazing extent; and it behoves those immediately
concerned not to slacken their efforts, but to keep on
with unswerving energy, assured that theirs is not
lost labour, and that they are rendering important
services to their country by thus ranging theta-
selves as its defenders.