The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-07

youths, the future glory and ornament Of
their country: the latter, although based
upon the soundest princi, ,'lcs of free
government, has not yielded all those be-
neflls Which its intrinsic excellence 50
justly deserved. At your last session,
commissioners were appointed, in every
election district of the State, to cyam!ae
and revise The Free School system, and
to report TO the Executive such amend
menls, or alterations, as they might deem
useful. Many Of these commissioners,
with a very commendable zeal and ability,
have discharged the important duty as
signed to them, while others have failed
to make reports. In obedience to your
resolution, hare placed the reports which
! have been made, in the hands Of com.
mission Of two. gentlemen, Professors
Elliott and Thornyell, to be examined by
them, and system to be advised and SUBJ
mitted 10 yon, at the present session.
Their report, as soon as prepared, shall
be transmitted 10 you, with the reports
of the district. commissioners.
1t affords me unfeigned pleasure, TO an
nounce to yc.s, that The College continues
to answer The high expectations of the
State. 1t is ra apid!y advancing in ca
reer OF prosperity and usefulness, which
must rebound to the lasting henefit of the
country. 1t steadily increases in num-
hers, although The standard of admission
is higher than formerly. | ardently re-
commend this noble institution to your
parental and fostering care. The State
can only expect to maintain its wonled
high character, by an enlighted popula-
linn, well grounded in solid learning,
ard lofty moral elevation.
In free government, there exists a
just jealousy of standing armies. The
hist ry of all nations justifes this feeling.
It's records are replele with instances Of
their danger to liberty. Our ancestors
had practical knowledge on this subject,
which led th"m TO guard. By constitutions
al restrictions, against their introduction.
Hence, the reliance Of the trainers of our
constitution, on the Militia, and the pro-
vision for organizing, arming, and discip-
lining it, Hence, the recognition OF the
great political truth, that well regulated
Militia, is essential to the safety Of FREQ
State; and certainly our ancestors were
not deceived, in their estimate Of the de-
penhencc which might be repesed in its
c:E.>i,"1y. r TIC purpose Of dcfenzirc
warfare, it will not be llazarding too
much. to assert, that hlilitia arc equal, if
no. superior, to mercenary troops. The
nob!cst anh highest motive that can actu-
ate ;iIc bosom OF man, imprls the citizen
soldier 20 draw his sword, 10 repel the in
vadcr oi his soil, and 10 defend his altar
anil GTrsidc. /. may be conceded that,
for purposes of foreign conquest, regular
troops are more available. But, happy
for us that it is so: this great Confrderacy
Of R publican States, is. from its char
act,r, pacific, and never canbe prone to
engage in wars merely for winning glory,
or acquiring foreign dominion. From
these considerations, we learn the vast
importance of well regulated Militia.
Tu prepare them to fulfil the high desti
nics for which they are intended, care
should be taken, to train and discipline
item N times rG peace: but this duty ap-
plies more especially to the officers. !
am aware hat lreemcn will not submit to
lhos' rigd rules, which are applicable to
the regular soldier: nor is Ibis required.
The idea is not entertained, that the pri-
ratc mlliiia-man can, or ought to he, SUBJ
jecled 10 the same degree of rigorous dis.
ciplinc, as soldier, in the regular ranks.
Indeed, it is questionable, whether the at
tempt to give the private miltia-man the
au,omation precision of the soldier, should
be made at all. 1t is not believed to he
essentia! to the perfection of our system,
that any such attempt should be made.
But the case is widely different with the
militia officers: they may be instructed,
and brought to high degree Of discipline
in the military crt. And if the officers
have attained to a respectable degree Of
knowledge, ii will not be difficult for
them, in a period Of actual service, to
train their men, in short time, in all the
duties Of the soldier. South Carolina has
acted On the assumption uf this idea. and
all her militia laws lock particularly to II
body Of well trained and disciplined oil
GERS. And perhaps no instrument Las
been more useful in accomplishing this