The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-26 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

The following correspondence has been sent us
for publication :

St. James's-place, Dec. 13.

My Lord,—Some of the officers commanding volunteer
corps in the metropolis met at the Volunteer Service Club,
on Monday, Dec. 3, to consider the question of the admis-
sion of,rnembers of the Society of Foresters into their re-
spective corps.
Having reason to believe that the Government were
opposed to the admission of members of secret societies into
the volunteer force as separate bodies; whether small or
large, and agreeing- with this view, we passed the following
resolution :

" That the commanding officers present do all in their
power to give effect to the views of the Government, as
above stated, and pledge themselves not to admit into their
respective corps members of secret societies in separate
bodies, small or large."

Since then my attention has been drawn to the enclosed
paragraph, headed "Foresters Rifles," which appeared in
the Volunteer Service Gazette of Saturday last. From this
it would seem that Lord Radst.ock had communicated to a
body of metropolitan Foresters what passed at the meeting
to which I have referred, and had likewise expressed to
them the views which the Government are believed to
entertain with reference to the admission of Foresters as
separate bodies into the volunteer force. Nevertheless they
resolved :

" That this meeting is of opinion that one or more com-
panies of Forester Volunteers should forthwith be orga-
nised in this (the west) district, and pledges itself to co-
operate in the movement now being made for that pUrpose,
notwithstanding the communication from Lord liadstock."

This resolution can, I imagine, only have been adopted
by the Foresters in the belief that the views of the Govern-
ment, as expressed to them in Lord Radstock's letter, would
not be enforced ; and as this question of tho admission of
members of the Society of Foresters, or of other secret socie-
ties, into the Volunteer force, as separate bodies, is one the
importance of which cannot, I think, be exaggerated, I
would venture to suggest to your Lordship the propriety of
some public official announcement being made of the views
and intentions of the Government upon this subject which
may serve as a guide to officers commanding Volunteer
corps.—l remain your lordship's obedient servant,

ELcilo.

War-office, Dec. 20.

My Lord,—l am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant,
relative to the admission of members of the Society of
Foresters into Volunteer corps.

In reply, I am to inform you that while Mr. Herbert is
fully sensible of the public spirit displayed by the Foresters
who desire to form separate corps or exclusive companies in
the various metropolitan corps, he is absolutely precluded
from sanctioning their proposal, as the regulations of the
service do not allow the members of any secret society, as
such, to constitute corps, or portions of corps, in the Volun-
teer force.—l have the honour to be, my Lord,
Your Lordship's obedient servant,
DE GREY AND RIPON.
Lord Elcho, St. James's-place.

The presentation of a silver cup to Captain Basil
Sparrow, of the 12th Essex Volunteers, was made
the occasion of some interesting proceedings and
speeches. The cup was presented at a public din-
ner in the Corn Exchange, Braintree, Mr. Onley
Savill Onley presiding ; and Mr. C. Da Cane,
M.P , Mr. T. S. Western, M.P., the Rev. Sir J.
Page Wood, and several of the leading local
country gentlemen being among the guests.
The Rev. Sir J. P. Woon, in responding to the
toast of "The Bishop and Clergy," said :
"Although my coat is black and my neckcloth is
white, yet lam a Volunteer to-night as well as your-