Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-09-24


The following remarks upon the present situa-
ton Of the militia IL this state, and the neccs.
siiy that exists for It's speedy reorganization
from the last Lynchburg yirgnian, deserve
10 be read with attention.
II has long ago been observed that mi
li.la is the cheap defence Of nations: ! But
we very much doubt whether they would
constitute any defence at all, organized or
rather completely disofganized, as il is a.
mongst US. We have witnessed with es-
pecial regret, the decay oil everything like
military spiri,--so that Il 10 absolutely dit
ficult, ina population Of 5000 souls. TO
maintain two respectable volunteer corps
for any length OF time. just after the
Southampton uffair. a splendid cavalry
company was foimed in this place--full in
numbers. handsomely equipped, and pro-
missing well both for stability and useful.
ness. But the occasion which called It
into being having almost passed away
from the memory,s that once energetic
corps has diwnded away TO amcre hand
fol 50 few in number, that they are abso-
lutely ashamed 10 show themselves on the
street, which they formerly paraded in all
The pride Of conscious strength and res
pectabiliiy. This should not be so, cspe1
cially al this time which wears not only
present aspect Of peril. but exhibits omin
Gus indications of An approaching crisis
which will summon every man 10 bis post.
The two skeletons OF companies which
now exist among US should he filed up 10
TO the maximum required by law, and ono
If not two Others should be formed. And
we should be glad 10 see the spirit difiu.
sing itself in the country also, every neigh
borhood furnishing at least one well or
gained and equipped company.
We cannot but hope that the aspect Oh
ailairsmiIi draw the earnest and serious at
tcnlion OF the neat legislature OF Virginia
to the importance OF efficiently organizing
the military force of the state--not BY the
passage Of q law occupying some fifty or
hundred pages Of the statute book. with
n,eless details, which are read by not ono
in thousand Of the people, and remen-
bered by not one in hundred Of those
who may read them. but by the enaction
OF few simple regulations, which may be
universally enforced One or TWO COM
panies in every battalion should be armed
--musters should be more frequent; and
in order to secure full attendance, The oili-
GERS should be men Of respcctabllity and
standing, and, abote all, the fines should
not onIy be so high as 10 render il she ins
ieresl of every man TO take bis station IN
the ranks, but placed on the footing OF
other debts, SO that their collection may
not be evaded by men perfectly able 10
muster or to pay, but who now do neither
Ii is apparent that the day is rapidly sp.
preaching. when we must either render
our militia more effective, or do away
the system altogether, and resort TO other
more efficient and more Objectionable means
Of defence. That day is true may never
come. The dangers which threaten the
peaceSx stability Of this Conlederacy, may
pass away, as they have heretofore done.
before the rekindled blaze Of public patri-
otism. But It is well TO be prepared Tor
the worst. II is impossible TO shut our
eyes and close our cars to the sinister m
fluences that are every where at Work.
threatening to pull down the pillars o.
public security, and to cast u upon inc
agiiated waters OF civil strife. we may
hone and believe that these influences VIII
be counteracfed ard subdued that the
acitators will be pu. down and that peace
and harmony will succeed the angry con-
contentious which now distract and divids
M. should our present disputes be thus
happily terminated. it viii be the cause Of
graduation and rejoicing TO every well-or-
dered mind~-to every patriot--to every
lover Of bis species. But this may not %
the issue Of the existing controversy. ne
luctanily as we have brought our minds 70
the conclusion, we do not believe that y
will be. And hence we would urge, most
strenuously, upon the ensuing legislature.
the necessity Of rensodelIing our militia
system. and. in The mean time. the impor-
lance Of OF being prepared for any emer-
eenev which may occur, either from foes