Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-16
For TIE WING.

REILLY 10 AN GOLD VOLUNTEER"
Messrs. Editors Having seen in your columns
few days since, an elaborate etfusion, signed an
sold Volunteer" esteem it my privilege, as well
as my duty, to make, to some of his remarks, Il
short reply. We cannot but believe that the gen
tleman, though he speak he thinks, has also a
little interest at heart; but we are happy to know
that the gentlemen to whom his lines were add
dressed, are capable of pursuing the best interest
OF this Commonwealth without regard to secular
motives. Shall those ''gcntlcmcn," 1--WE mean free
people of colour) be attached, in any shape to
Volunteer Companies, because there are thousands
OF their own colour who enjoy the privilege of
looking on? Should not rather move that a
law be enacted, Gncluding these gentlemen" with
the rest OF their colOur,) preventing there being
any lockers on? Is it not the case on every "a
radc day, that we can scarcely march along the
streets without having to fist, sword or gun to
box the crowd from under our feet! And because
we are compelled, at last to be almost suffocatcd
III the dust which they raise before us, shall this
be urged as a reason why these deficient gentle
men" should also be in our advance? We leave it
for the honorable gentlemen, who woocd for
the affirmative, to decide. But what patriot with
all his exemplary cXccptions,) would say us much
''Old Volunteer" has, concerning bands
formed of white men, who make it ID part of their
livelihood? stating that they generally of such
character as not to give pleasure and satisfaction.
This is more than we had thought prudent 'sOld
Volunteer" would take upon himself to say
Now, Mcssrs. Editors, by your permission VIC will
give three reasons why bands of a desirable cha
ractcr and ability seldom formcd-lst. There
are capable gentlemen, more than enough in our
city, to form an eminent band but who, we might
suppose, from their not acquicscing, consider the
sphere below them. IDLY. Bands, in the warmth
of forming, apt to receive such men as are
already of doubtful reputation-and 3dy such
men as would form like brothers (for such thew
are) and constitute efficient band, and one that
would give every reasonable pleasure and satsfac-
ton, seldom get what their necessities re-
quirc-''a part of Il livelihood" Would any Vo-
untccr Company that wants band, step forward
and remove this last difficulty, they might, per-
haps, procure one which would be satisfactory
both as it respects character and ability, and rid
themselves of the vast expense of getting up CO.
Toured bands, and the trouble of applying to the
Assembly for their continuing such. For our own
part cannot but think that the honorable
gentlemen to whom "Old Volunteer" speaks
would prefer that the charms of Orphcus should be
conveyed to their ears through some other organ
than that which he advocates. We have ever
been cautious to keep dormant respecting the co.
Toured band, attached to respectable Volunteer
Company of this city, but when an attempt is
made to support them at the expense of white
gentlemen of the calling, sec no
reason for silence the part of the latter. To
speak of the ''noblc stream of symphony that now
runs in our city," implies want of Judgment, or
Il want of something, iii him who thus Speaks
That they are becoming efficient, is something
new to us, for they have long been considered as
dcprcciaing. If we speak of their gift for "tunc
and time" might VIC not say that a gift for militia
ry tactics flows in the same vcnl If the cal
! have Gift for the former, may we not say that
the eye has gift for tho latter? These colourct
"gentlcmcn" may he all that they arc said to be
but VIC hold the principle wrong oneIt is adj
ding fuel to a spark, and blowing it TO flame.
| PATRIOT.