Piney Woods planter and Amite union literary reflector. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1838-1838, 1838-04-07
MAJOR GENERALS ELECTION.
To the poters Of the first Dipision Of the
Mississippi Militia.
Eur oxr- (NyrEwrNa.


To the poters Of the first Division Of the
Mississippi Militia.
FELLow-C CITIZENS:
In becoming a candidate for the
Command of the First Division, regret
that the time intervening between this
and the election, is SO short, as to prevent
me in great measure, from presenting
myself personally before you. This would
have saved me in some degree from the
embarrassment of speaking of myself
the necessary result of addressing you
through the medium Of Circular.
In all we'll constituted governments,
whether free or despotic, the physical
power must be concentrated under some
efficient organization, alike to guarantee
its integri'y--and to protect its citizens
from foreign aggression. Under the arr
bitrary governments Of the old world, stans
ding armies are resorted to, not only 10
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 against 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 coRfederated Republics,
with their enlarged sagacity, enlightened
experience and sleepless patriotism, were
apprehensive there would be more of dam
ger than protection in standing army
and wisely concluded that the bravest de-
tenders of peoples home, were the citizens
| who knew 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
stitations, ofall others, requires well or
gained and we'll disciplined militia. UR-
der all circumstances, and at all times
this is indispensably necessary; how cienl-
~ important is il then, at this inauspicious
period--when the cantiDg philanthropy Of
the age is striving to covert the slaves or
our household into into the enemies Of our
peace. Common prudence requires us to
guard ourselves against the incendiary
purpose of deluded fanaticism, to place our
militia in such an s'armor and attitudess--
as will not only suppress even the conten,-
plation of insurrecton, but effectually pro-
tect ourselves from the Interior views Of
Northern Abolitionists, be they what they
may. And in so doing, we prepare the
American citizen for his most exalted du-
tv--hls country's defence and we make
the appellation of citizen soldier. not an
empty sound--but the appropriate desiR-
nation of the highest and hottest obliQa-
tons ola freeman's life,
You are soon, Fellow Citizens, to exer-
else one the most import ant duties Of the
citizen soldier--the selection Of YOUR off,
GERS. Permit me then, for brief moment
to name my humble pretentions TO the
Major Generalship Of the First Division.
AT very early period Of my life, I was
animated with an enthusiastic admiration
OF the profession Of arms. NV late vene.
rated Father had been engaged during
the Revolutionary War, in the service Of
South Carolina, the most DISTINGUISHED
and sangHnary erena of that never 10 be
forgotten struggle; and it was from his de-
tale Of that memorable and glorious con-
lest, that ] first learned to love soldiers
lutles. Soon after my return from Col
ege,in 1924, entered the Militia Of this
state, and was appointed to the command
y the Wilkinson Light Infantry; that had
nc distinguished honor, at the several diff.
erent Reviews, of electing by their accu-
ate discipline, and gallant and marsialsp.