Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-05


Tue Police Bin" and by some of your worthy
selves, tho "SirokiRg ait Blu" observe a section
Mn'ct - 10 prevent the persons have mentioned
from acting Musicians to Volunteer Compa-
mes. am we'll aware, l do assure you, of the
Hchcacy of the subject YOU have before you for
leg slstivc action. | feel conscious that tho rigour
you arc anout to exercise i'll tho framing of laws
\on TINS suh,cct) is the offspring OF what you con-
ceive TO be stern RcccSSHy-amd while you feel
Round To be thus rigorous, is at war with the best
feelings of your hearts. On the general policy of
your legislation, CON this sublcct,) it rs not my
purpose to speak. Whether the circumstances OF
the casC, the grcU, law of necessity, justiiies
You, questions which shall not disturb, but
do call your attention, most respectfully, 10 tho
provision above alluded to.
One of tho Volunteer Companies OF this city
has, at vast trouble and expense, succccdc5 i'll
forming band composed of coloured musicians-
they about this time, becoming cficient-arc
rendering themselves useful in tier vocation, and
promise 10 be good set OF musicians as this city
has ever Afforded They arc men oircspectability-
obtaining livelihood 10y honest means, and their
general good conduct and department has gained
them the respect of ali classes Ono of thor
means of support would be now from that know
Lodge of music which they have acquired by ga
erafcc Of their labor and time.
ltis. however, asserted, that as musicians, they
obtain knowledge of military tactics," and this
Ulono is the Justification looked to for tho propricty
Of the law.
Is it known to you that they arc not allowed tho
use of any kind of arms--that they have only the
advantage OF lockers on, which is a privilege en-.
joyod ard exercised by numbcrs of their colour
that the only military knowledge they attain is
that of marching ut the head OF tho company to
which thoy IRE attached, and surely this is but n
very, very small item-noy, nothing when wo
look into the vast subject of military science and
tactics, which is not acquired generally, to
small extent, by those who arc regularly drilled
and accustomed TO tho use of arms
Tho music to Volunteer Companies is an orna-
ncnt TO thcm-ls an incentive and stimulant to
mcmbcrshlp-lt is pleasant to have the heart made
glad, and feel translated by its martial and glowing
effects: 1t adds life and vigour to them, which
can he easily imagined by those (who like your.
selves can enjoy the sweet notes falling with a
heavenly symphony on their
1t is i'll this particular science that il is admitted
they oNco the whites; they appear to have, in the
lang ago of Jefferson, "accurate for tune and
me-" and such has been the result of my obscrva-
tIon' From infancy to old ago their musical pow.
crs on all occasions manifest, and absorbed
are they with IT, and so cngrossug its charms,
tor them, that HAD THEY THE OPPORTUNITY, they
could not abstract themselves from it sufficiently
to acquire any knowledge OF tactics, whatever
why then take from them tho exercise of this little
privilege, which they have harmlesSly and
peaslngly used well to their own as to tho salts
faction of others?
It is true, it can DC said the Companies can have
White musicians, but permit mo to remark, thai
experience shcws the hopcessncss of success in
this particular.
When Bands formed from the Companio.
themselves, from their respectable members, they
are certainly efficient SO long they can be KEEP
together, but tho fluctuaton in their ranks is sc
great, that while fine band may be in existence
on one parade, at the next it may be reduced one
fourth or ono half, and to this they are always
liable.
When regular white Musicians, forming Band
can be procured--that is, persons who obtain a
portion of their livelihood by this means they arc
genernily (thcre are many excellent and cxcmpl
exeoptons) of such character, from their habits,
as not to be enabled to give that pleasure and
satisfaction which is certainly highly desirable
this experience has fully proven.
These remarks use, to show to your worthy
selves how beneficial il would be- not only to this
Volunteer Company, but to others similarly stua-
ted, to allow coloured persons to ROMAN as Must
clans, particularly when no detrimcnt TO the
Pnhhc veal can, in my humble apprehension grow
out of it.
assure you, with all the sincerity of my heart
would be the last person upon earth to ask at
your hands any thing that for a moment thought
would be detrimental to the happiness of my fellow
cItlzonst is in truth, believing that too rigid and
magnlhed view has been taken by you (n your
vigilance to guard our Commonwealth of this
SUBJECT as tho means of attaining military know
ledge, that make any appeal to you. Do consider
the i"iJicacy of military scen cethe difficulty of
obtaining Il knowledge of 1.-THE difficulty of even
oOtalng a knowledge that would render it danger-
o"s; and particularly please TO consider the ex
ucmcly limited means the free persons of colour
Musicians have of acquiring it. Upon duo
consideration of these things at YOU hands I do
most respectfully hope for a verdict of acuuittal
IN behalf of those coloured gentlemen, and shall
conclude by invoking Orphcus to descend and
shower upon you, in the profuseness of profuson
his musical charms, and OH that he may nstill int
your hearts ard minds, that love for him which
shall cause you to disseminate his powers and not
cut in twain that noble stream of symphony that
now runs in rapid current in this our city. Accett
the best wishes of an
OLD VOLUNTEER
From the u. s. Tclegraph