Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-11-06
For TIE ENQUIRE

Since the termination of the Presidential Election IL il
hoped mat the public press will find time TO discus, the
great subjects OF Education, Internal Improvement. .nJ
me nhiua System. Many meetings have been held bv
uhe militia omcers in different parts of the State, who
seem rom u v number OF their meetings 10 be sensible of
exisung defects, and of the necessity of a radical chance
! have looked With anxiety for the development of some
P'ah OIL reform. As none have been given TO the public.
II Is ~prcsumable that they will be set forth i'm the con,em'
plated memorials 10 the Legislature. Knowing the tenne-
r'ihent oil the Assembly as well as | do, 1 think there is
ground 10 lear that nothing useful will be effected for Sc
veral years. Every scheme which contemplates The adj
vantages oil discipline and instruction will be necessarily
attended WIN expense, and public sentiment must be very
strongly IN Its iavor before the Legislature will aIopt il =
iheir lear oil expense is proverbial. 1t occurs TO me. tb,,
Il there be too many plans urged before them. that singIe
d { VIII DC seized upon as an excuse for putting off the
subject. 1t will be alleged that the officers cannot agres
among themselves OIL what is best, and therefore il will he
In this argument.
To obviate this difficulty, would 1t not bo expedient. ac.
yer lhe sentiments and opinions of each Brigade are ascer-
'"heu' 10 SEND one or more deputies from each, to general
meeting to be held in Richmond? That meeting yyoulJ he
IN possession OF the public opinion on the subject and might
agree upon, and recommend a well-digested system 10 the
legislature. Coming thus recommended, il would he less
hkely 10 encounter competing schemes, and possess Tho
strongest claims TO favorable consideration.
ihe writer does not propose TO suggest, az present any
schsme IL a law. His object is TO advise the officers of
the Uiulcuiues they ought be prepared C ai,..,,rr rms
necessity ior a well-arranged Militia system in fine of
peace Is OBVIOUS TO all rejecting men. But numbers will
NOT De made TO see 1t; and especially ii it will increase the
!aHe'' as II assuredly will. Officers Cannot be expected to
INCUR te expenses TO which they must be exposed in pro
curing uniform, and attending drills or camps of ins,r,c-
iIon. And even the Subsistence Of the whole nunnber oC
Nii"ua oincers, for such a time as will be sufficient to ac.
duIre any information, will amount TO a considerable sum
but mat sum, when divided among the people AT largo
VIII be but a Iriiie, compared with the great public bene.
fits that must result.
Dnt' before any thing is attempted, the public mind must
De hrniy made up 20 meet the expense. Public senti.
must sustain the scheme, and uphold the officers in
ehcounierIng the trouble and cost that will fall on tbrm,
"a commission must be made an object of desire 10 every
ngn-hinded citizen. Perhaps this may be done bv con-
'efrng certain privileges on the officers. not inconsistent
WIN me genus oil our institutions. Promotion ougbt 10
rest exclusively onmerit and qualifications; not oninfuence
OF iaVorusm-and of this, the officers of each corps OUGHT
10 be made the judges. A ~PRIVATE'"
Al an adjourned meeting of the officers of the lOotb
Regiment virginia Militia, held in Urbanna on the 27th
OF october, 1882, Col. William Shepherd in the Chair. and
MAJ. hichari a. Christian, Secretary, ii was
HcS0foed, That this meeting concur with the officers
o oiher Regiments in the State, as 10 the pronrictv of
noiiing a General Convention of officers i'm The civ of
richmond, on the second Tuesday in December next for
INC purpose oil presenting 10 the Legislature more forci-
oiy' inc vows and wishes of the people in relation, n,
amendments of the Militia System. "
heSolUed, That Col. William Shepherd, Mai Richard
a. Christian and Capt. Erastus r. Montague be appointed
delegates to represent this Regiment in The said Conven-
ton.
ReSoiUed, That the officers throughout the Common
wealth be earnestly requested 10 co. Operate with *
ReS0iUed, That the Editors of the Richmond Enouirer
ana constitutional Wing be requested 10 publish these
proceedings IN their respective journals.
LILA SHEPHERD, Chairman.
RICHARD a. CHRIsTIAN, .SecTet1yu