The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-16 00:00:00

THE Vi)LUNTEERS.

Lord Elcbo makes the following remarks on a let-
ter going the round of the papers, headed " Royal
National Rifles," and signed John R. Walmisley :
The writer says, "I am taking steps to form a bri-
gade of riflemen composed of artizans and the more
respectable of the labouring classes, and, as it is the
intention to assist the men in obtaining the uniform
and to form a benevolent fund, I have to solieit the
favour of your donation or annual subscription."
The first thing that strikes one in this circular is
"Royal National
"National" more
is not, however,
nictiusirnegto call public at-
tention than
eafinesa:
. strangenessy Whyex existing
n,
gRo f
"Royal
its
pl heading,?s„p
mr
Ith y
the title of the
rvbietut
because I know, from
proposedtf oenr ti
othnet
etohripss purposectihr
ea ofut
lcircular,
having lately attended two mi!etings of working
men, that there is a strong and laudable feeling on
the part of the artisan class that those of their num-
ber who can afford it should take part in the de-
fence of their country, and it is therefore most
important to consider what steps should be taken
with a view to their admission into the ranks of
the Volunteers.

Is it desirable or necessary to form special artisan
corps, aided or supported by pliblie subscriptions ?
Is there any reason why artisans should not enter
the ranks of the Vclunteers along with the other
classes of society? Now, believing, as I do, that
the success of the Volunteer movement depends upon
the force being very large as well as well-trained
and disciplined, and that numbers can only be got
by the admission of the best working men to the
Volunteer ranks, I am nevertheless of opinion, and
I hope to be able to show, that it is neither desir-
able nor necessary to form special artisan corps.
It is not desirable, because in this country the
different classes of society have few opportunities
of meeting, and because volunteering presents this
opportunity, and enables them to meet together
and unite shoulder to shoulder in defence of
their common country. All, indeed, who have
taken an active part in this movement will
bear witness to the social good arising
from it, and it is impossible to over-estimate the 6
many social advantages to which it may lead. If,
however, special artisan corps be established, not
only is this great good lost, but positive evil will
arise from the strengthening and perpetuating of
class distinctions, which none but the political agi-
tator can wish to de.
It is not necessary, because there is no reason why
artisans should not enter into existing corps if the
expenses of these corps are
kept within moderate
bounds, and if some sight concessions are made in
their favour. In the corps I have the honour to
command there are now 150 Scottish artisans ;
these men pay for their uniform and accoutrements,
the cost of which, including cap, blouse, tunic,
trousers, leggings, belts, and pouches, is under
£3 35., by weekly instalments of ls. 3d., and the
only concession made to them is, that they pay no
entrance fee, and only 58. as subscription the first
year, after which they will pay the annual sub-
scription of £l, the same as the other members of
the corps. This, then, is a proof that where the
expenses of an existing corps are moderate, indus-
trious artisans can afford to join it ; but, unfortu-
nately, the cost of the uniforms of most of our
metropolitan corps is beyond the means of working
men, and this it is which at first sight appears to
give grounds for the formation of special artisan
corps. There are, however, two or three ways .by
which this difficulty might be avoided
1. By existing corps adopting a cheap, comfort-
able working dress, which should be the uniform
of the corps, and the cost of which should be under
£3, and therefore within the means of the working
men, while at the same time there might be a more
ornamental and expensive dress, which any member
of the corps might or might not get, according to
his taste and fancy, but in which he would never
appear on parade.
2. By having artisan companies attached to exist-
ing corps, whose dress, though the same in colour
and general appearance, might be less ornamental
and expensive ; and this is, I believe, the system
which prevails in Scotland.
3. By establishing a corps confined to no class or
district, but the expenses of which would be limited
—say to £3, so as to enable artisans to join, and a
corps of this description is, I believe, at the present
moment being formed under the title of the Metro-
politan Rifles. Any of these plans would be pre-
ferable to the formation of a class corps. Economy
is, indeed, the soul of the Volunteer force, while
extravagance is, I fear, the rock on whichit is likely
to split, and we cannot calculate with any degree
of certainty upon the permanent amount of our
force until we see what number pay for a second
uniform. The expenses of some corps are enor-
mous, £4OO or £5OO being expended on their bands,
and in many instances the uniforms and outfits are
needlessly extravagant. Now, bands ought to be
viewed as luxuries, and paid for, as is is done in
some cases, not out of the funds of the corps, but
by a special subscription, and it has been already
shown that a Volunteer can be neatly, comfort-
ably, and effectively equipped for £3 3s. I am
confident that no greater service could be done to
the Volunteer force at the present moment than
for the Government to recommend the adoption of
a cheap working Government
and the 'practice of the
strictest economy. It, in addition to this, the Go-
vernment could be induced to give, free of cost, a
certain fixed allowance of ammunition to each effec-
tive Volunteer, and if they would give a few drill-
sergeants to each county, there would be no occa-
sion for special artisan corps. All classes would
then be able to mix in the same ranks, and a
brotherhood in arms would be established such as
would secure our country against all dangers, whe-
ther from without or within. There is only one
other point in connection with-this subject to which
I would allude—viz., that I believe there exists
among the artisan class a proper feeling of inde-
pendence which would deter them from joining any
corps which proposes to create an eleemosynary
fund for the purchase of their uniforms ; for, touse
their own expression, they do not like to be thus
" patronised.