Piney Woods planter and Amite union literary reflector., 1838-04-14

| bltrary gOyornmentso OF the old world, stan
ding armies are resorted to, not only to
effect their legitimate ends--but, olso, for
the purpose of extending their dominion
over neighboring and powerless commu-
nities--and for suppressing the tendency
in the popular spirit to rebel agninst those
unnatural and Fictitious divisions Of socie-
ty, which originating in fraud, are to be
sustained but by force. But the wise
founders of these confederated Republics,
with their enlarged sagacity, enlightened
experience and sleepless patriotism, were
apprehensive there would be more of dan
ger than protection in standing army
and wisely concluded that the brayest de-
tenders of peoples home, were the citizens
who know its treasures. Time verified
their wisdom at the ever memorable con-
tests of New-Orleans, Baltimore, and the
Thames. Indeed, scarcely battle field
of the last war but attest, how gallantly
the citizen bore himself amidst its tragic
but triumphant scenes.
| The peculiar nature of our domestic in
sttutions, of all others, requires well or
ganized and well disciplined militia. I'm
der all circumstances, and at all times
this is indispensably necessary; how ritGl-
ly important is it then, at this inauspicious
period--when the canting philanthropy Of
the age is striving to covert the slaves OF
our household into into the cnomios OF our
peace. Common prudence requires US to
guard ourselves against the incendiary
purpose of deluded fanaticism, to place our
militia in such an "armor and sttitude"--
as will not only suppress even the contem-
platon of insurrection, but effectually pro-
tect ourselves from the ulterior views OF
| Northern Abolitionists, be they what they
may. And in so doing, we prepare the
| American citizen for his most exalted du
ty--his country's defence; and we make
the appellation of citizen soldier, not az
empty sound--bnt the appropriate desig
nation of the highest and holiest obliga
tions ola freeman's life.
You are soon, Fellow Citizens, TO exer
else one Of the most import ant duties OF thu
citizen soldier--the selection of your Off
GERS. Permit me then, for brief momen
to name my humble pretentions to the
Major Generalship Of the First Division.
At very early period Of my life, | wa'
animated with an enthusiastic admiration
of the profession Of arms. My late vene
rated Father had been engaged during
the Revolutionary War, in the service 0
South Carolina, the most distinguished
a,,d sanguinary erena of that never to b.
f,ruGtt,,p struggle; and it was from his de
,s;Ie ~ tn at memorable and glorious con
test. that I lSrst learned to love soldier,
aut;as Soon after my return from 90
lego, in 1924. entered the Militia Of thi
STATE, and was app ointcd to the comman
of the Wilkinson Lig IT Infantry; tnat ma "a
the distinguished honor, at the severai a. u
ferent Reviews, of electih,s by 'helr acc'
rate discipline, and gallant nd martial q
pearance, public expression III apProc'
ttion Sy the Reviewing Officer. remall
ed in COMMAND Of that corps for 4 year
! ,.,hor I was sSYpulnrUa DIis~1- h.sDe, 20
wheI a..t;ss Of wiich office | exercised, u
II III the nartiality of my Fellow Citizen
rromoted me 10 the command Of the Flrs
Brigade, have been twice elected Or l
aadier General; once by me oncers Oh IN u
brigade, and once by the sovereign Pee
pie themselves. .1 200,
have been engaged actively ana le1l |,
ousIy in the Militia of the State ltr :
years---and if an accurate knowledge :
the discipline and science of the profession
of arms give me any claim on your sup
port, | can advance my pretensions with
some degree of confdence--as it is known
to nv Fellow-C Citizens of this section, tha
in the rugged and acclivous paths of sci
ence have been directed, almost exclusive
ly, to the art and strategy ofwarfare. Fo
have long anticipated that the perio'
was not far distant when the chivalry o
the land would be called to the field to de
fend the dearest rights of freemen.
/ trust that nay long and indefatiguabl'
exertions in the military service of thu
State. will be sufficient surety to my Eel
Citizens, should they honor me witt
their confidence, that the best energies 0
nv mind will be devoted to their interest
VIM. L. BRANDON.
II sposoupn IA alto March Of 1878.