The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-12 00:00:00

speaks of the value of discipline, which is an essen-
tial ingredient in all undertakings, and in none
more conspicuously than the vocation of the soldier.
It is not of itself sufficient, as same persons errone-
ously imagine, but the needful and necessary attri-
bute that gives power to the daring mind, and
enables the heroic spirit to achieve the goal to
which it aspires, and in some measure, at least, to
realise its ardent aspirations. In these words does
the BISHOP enforce its necessity :—" In speaking of
courage and of discipline, I recollect having the
other day met with a saying attributed to some
one of that numerous family of brave soldiers—the
Napiers. One of the generals of that family, in
speaking of discipline and enthusiasm, said, 'Ah !
enthusiasm runs away.' I don't know that I should
say that—if I may venture to criticise the saying
of a soldier, himself one of the bravest of the brave.
I don't know that I should say that, but I should
say that enthusiasm without discipline is only
likely to carry brave men headlong into danger, to
fall a sacrifice, and an unavailing sacrifice. There
must be discipline—there must be practice. It is
practice that makes us into marksmen ; it
is regimental discipline that gives united
strength ; and with these, then, by God's
blessing, it is courage that wins the day. That
will never be wanting in British hearts whenever
they are called upon to meet the day of battle."
Thus does his lordship conclude his eloquent address
in words that will find an echo in the hearts of all
who are animated by the love of their country,
and who appreciate the might of that endurance
which has made her sons conquerors in every quar-
ter of the globe. It has brought them out victori-
ous from encounters with the vaunted armies of
Imperial France, when they returned triumphant
from an European campaign. It will again be
their safeguard should occasion arise ; but let them
remember that prudence is the better part of valour,
and not relax in their efforts at preparation. No
one can be too well prepared or too much instructed
for the performance of such arduous duties, and
the motto of their career should be—" Ready, aye
ready, for the field." The Bishop of CHESTER
cannot be too highly commended for the part he
has taken in this national endeavour, and his wise
admonitions and earnest exhortations will, it is to
be hoped, sink deeply into the minds and influence
the actions of his hearers. They can thus gather
benefit from the event of the meeting that will not
pass away with its evanescent excitement, but
live on in their memories as a beacon and
a warning to herald the way to greater successes,
and to indicate the dangers that may be
lurking near. On Saturday last due honour was
rendered to the Volunteer Forces at the civic banquet,
and the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, in returning thanks
for the army. thus dwells on the topic :—" I observed,
on entering this hall, that there were these words at
the end of Defence, not defiance.' Gentlemen, that
is, I believe, exactly what the people of England all
desire, and it is with that feeling that the citizens
of London, combined with the whole nation, desire
to see the various services efficiently maintained.
And, my Lord Mayor, though we are not, in the
common acceptation of the term, a military nation,
we are not, on that account, less true to the military
spirit than any other nation. On the contrary, we
have, I think, of late years seen evinced among us a
noble military spirit, such as no country has sur-
passed, and few, if any, have equalled. I cannot
help remarking upon the gallant spirit with which
the citizens of London have come forward in the
great national Volunteer movement. I have
seen it observed of late that the Volun-
teers would take the place of the regular
army. Now, I do not for a moment
believe that either the Volunteers themselves or the
people of England have any such idea. The gene-
ral sentiment is that the Volunteers of England
should form the most admirable auxiliary force
to the army which any country could produce; but
if you were to attempt to allow the Volunteers to
take the place of the army, the whole Volunteer
system would in my opinion break down. That is
the sentiment entertained by the Volunteers them-
selves, and I am sure the same feeling is partici-
pated in by the people of England. As far as lam
concerned my earnest desire is, in concurrence with
the Government which so liberally support me, to
maintain the service I am connected with in that
high state of efficiency which will enable it to do its
duty by the country, if again it should unfortu-
nately be called upon to enter the field." The
validity of these arguments must be apparent to
all, and it is most satisfactory to meet with such
views advocated by those in high places. The re-
marks of his Royal Highness are most conclusive
concerning the relative position of the army and
the Volunteers, and it is to be trusted that he
will be enabled to carry out the correct
ideas he has formed on this important question, To
keep the Volunteers in their right place is to ensure
a glorious success to their efforts, and a worthy
issue to their undertakings ; but to pervert them
to a wrong purpose is to ruin their cause with that
over-cleverness that has proved the failure of so
many noble endeavours. Such an error, it is to be
trusted, will not be made, and then there will be
every reason to hope, despite the dreary prognos-
tications that abound, every cause to feel assured
that when the day of trial comes, each will know
his appointed place, and in doing his own part,
aid the work of all, by avoiding confusion, main-
taining order, and combining to repulse the com-
mon enemy with that unity which is the source of
strength, and that spirit which rises to meet the
emergency.