Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-19


not incumbent on US as duty we owe our
selves as well as in mercy to our untaught
fellow creatures, to restrain the abuse Of
that lenity which we are so well disposed to
practice towards them, and not to suffer
them by too great indulgences to rush head
long upon their own destruction.
AK.
Hanover, 18th August, 1907.
A VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION.
EVERY one sees and acknowledges the
strong probability of rupture with Great
Britain. The requisition by the President
of our quota of one hundred thousand men
to be held in readiness, and his call of Con-
gress by Proclamation, are sufficient proofs
thathc, who sees and understands the whole
ground, entertains the same Impression
The Secretary os War, in his letter to the
governor of this state, which has been pub
iished, says that volunteers will be recei-
we'd under this call the governor of the
state has, in his general orders, expressed
ms hope that the whole quota of the state,
viii be filed 10y volunteers the admins
tration of the United States have since ear
nestly pressed the state Executive 10 encou-
rage the Poillnteer ssrUire. Hence il is e.
vdent that volunteers are not only pre- fer-
red to drafted militia, but anxiousjy desir
ed beth by the fcdor i and state Executives.
/ he reasons are obvious ito go into the
s,rvice will not be equally conven en-; q
all. Their respective occupations and pur-
suits in civil life i; the state o. their health
The state of their families the state of
their affairs and a thousand other circum-
stances, will necessarily make viii diff
terence amongst the individuals of socie-
ty. IN relation to this subject. To some it
might be ruin and death to go into the SER
vice to others it might produce very little
M Convenience to others none at all: s. to
others again It might be 4 source of plea
sure. This difference OF convenience will
naturally produce different degrees of will
lingnesS to join the service. 4 draft will
pay no respect 70 these conside rations: il
VIII light with the impartiality of death, on
the willing and the unwilling; it may take
the honest laborcr from the business bv
which he gains the daily bread Of a hume
rous family; it may take the man of weak
constitution and precarious health it may
ear the husband FROM the chamber of a
| sick wife; the son from the bed OF an AGED
and Intirm parent, who may lean upon his
p'ety alone ;A-Whereas voluntary associa-
lions by taking only those whose circum-
stances and cast of character render mill.
tary service pleasure, actually lightens
the hardships of war, in a national point of
Views while at the same time, it collects
together the most willing and ardent spi-
ritS, only and consequently forms the most
effective army.-But militia companies be-
ing formed by districts, it is rarely to be
expected that whole company, with its
proper officerS, shall enjoy those circum-
stances of convenience; which will induce
it to move in a body, into service of any
length. Hence the act of Congress of the
2+th of February last, contemplates voiun-
teer associations distinct from the militia
Of Me STATE; such are the associations
whicn tho Executive of this state has been
requested to encourage. These voluntary
associations DO not by any means Interfere
with the militia arrangements tie rank
OF no militia officer can be affected bv it:
since even the volunteer recruits, them
selves, are directed by the act of Congress
before mentioned, to remain in their seye-
raj militia companies and do duty, as here.
tofore, until called cut into actual service
and as to the officers who may be commits
stoned in the volunteer associations, being
destined only for specific purpose, they
can have no collision, for rank with the re-
guar militia of the state; and their COM
missions expire as soon as the purpose for
which they go forth is answered. Officers
now IN the militia, whose circumstances or
inclination it may suit to raise company
OF volunteers, may take a commission for
the latter purpose without FORGETTING their
resuiar commission, until called ont INFO
drtuat SerUfcej for the reason that until
this call takes place, the act of Congress
declares that the militia arrangements
shall be in no wise affected and euen then,
no otherwise affected than by having de-
tached from its body the volunteers who
have previously associated: if at the call,
militia officers move off in this ASSOCIATE ton,
then, and not till then, their regular COM
missions will be vacated and their places
supplied.
Several citizens of the state following
up the wishes of the Federal and State F.x-
ecu:ives on this subject, for the purpose of
extending and acceleratiRg these volunteer
associations, have projected a plan to raise
sufficient number of companies to form
four regiments. This plan has been SUBJ
m;tted and approved by the proper autho-
rites both of the union and the common
wealth Its operation has begun by seve-
raj commissions being issued TO captains
for the purpose of enabling them to form
their companies. The subjoined form of
letter will explain more particularly the
objects OF this plan. As the number of men
proposed To- be thus raised will be far short
OF the quota required from the state, a
large and honorable field will be omen to
other associations, and those who NAV be