Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-12-05

nence Of our republican institutions, have
their only guarantee. in an intelligent NOR
al and religious population. Hence, this
important subject has commanded the
warnlest regard Of those who have prece-
dcd us The establishment of the College.
and the adoption Of lhe Free School Sys
lem, are enduring monuments. 10 The
memory nf"ihuse, by whose sasaclnus et-
tori. they were brought into rSlstrncc.--
The former from small beginnings, has
'Isen to proud emincncc among The Ill
erary institutions Of our great ConlrlerI
cy, awl is annually scnins forth band
ot well educated youths, the future glory
aud ornament of their country; the latter,
although based upon the soundest princ-
pies OF free Government has mol yielded
all those benefits wlHch its intrinsic excel
lenco Sd justly deserved. At ynnr last
session, commissioners were appointed, in
every election district o(Ihe Stale, to eX-
anime and revise the Free School system,
and to report To the Executive such a
nlendmenlI or alterations, as thay might
deem useful Many Of these commissions
crs, with Il very commerdab'e zeal and
ability, have discharged the important duty
assigned To them, while others have Failed
to make reports. Ii obedience 10 your
resolution, have placed The reports which
have been made. in the hands OF com
mission of two gentlemen, Professors Ell
liou and Thurnwell. to be examined ny
them, and a system to Dc devised, and sub
miIed /" you, al the present sessIon.-
rueir report. as soon MS prepared, shall be
transmitted 10 you, with the reports oil the
district commissioners.
Ii affords me unfeigned pleasure, 10 an
nouuce tc you, that the C"Icge conIinneS
to. answer the high expectal"ns OF the
State. itis rapidly advancing in career
of prosperity and usefulness, which must
rebound to the lasting benefit Of the conn-
try. # steadily increases in numbers, al
Illuugh the standard of admission is higher
than formerly. ardently recommend
This npble INSTITUTION TO your patcrnai and
fostering care. The Slate can only expect
to maintain lis wonted high character
by an enlightened population, well groun,
ded in solid learning, and lofty mora
elevation.
In free government, there exists jus'
jealousy of standing armies. The history
ol all nations justfies This feeling. Its re-
cords are replee with instances Of thell
danger to liberty. Our ancestors had 4
practical knowledge on This subject, which
led them To guard, by cons.itul,nnal re-
StriclinnS, against their inIroduction.---
Hence, the reliance of the trainers Of oul
constitution, on the MILITIA. and The provi
; sion Tor organizing, armins, AMI discip'
lining it. Hence, The recognition Il t
srear political truth, that a well regulate
Militia, is essential to the safety oI trrt
State; aud certainly our ancestors wrrt
u0I d, ceIvrd, IN their estimate nf tho de
rendenro %lirh might he reposed in IL
efficiency. For tic purpose Of defensive
warfare. it will uol be haZarding 100 much
to assert, thai Militia are equal, if nh su
pprior, 10 mercenary troops. The mobiles
and highest motive that can aciualc Iht
bosom #, man. impcis the citizen SnIdr
10 draw hi, sword. to repel the invader o
his soil, and to defend his altar and lire
side. Ii may lie conceded That. for purpo
srS OF foreign conquest, regular troops art
more available. Bur, happy for us ,ha
il is 50 this great Confe'leracy of Rcpuh
licau STATES, is. from It's character, pacific
aud never can be prone 10 enSaScin war,
merely for winning glory, or acquiring
foreign do:nnipn. From these cnnsidern
TONS, wr learn the vast Importance nr F;
well regulated Militia. To prepare rIen
IL lulti the high t,stinies Inr which the,
are intended. care shonld he Iakpn, I,
lraln anh discipline them in times of peace
nul lh.> duty applies mure especially II
;ne officers. 4 am aware thai fermrl
S,l not submit l., those rigid rules, wiiIri
re applicable 10 the regular soldier; no
IS lin, required. The idea is moi enter
ajn,d, that the privaI' militia man cam
,r uu.iIi 10 t", sah!"cted 10 the same de
.rrr of rigorous discipline, rs a s''l lirr, j.
the re ,:luar rauks. lndeed il is qu"Slinna
uIc. whether the ar'cmptIo give Inc privat'
miilia-nlGn the autnnatiOn precision o
;iIe suti-r, should re made at all. 1t i
not believed To be essential 10 the perlrc
ii N of our system, that any such aitcmp
|-.uonId bc nlae. But the case is wiIel,
different " ilh ihc militia officers: they MAJ
&c instructed. & broush lna hiShdegree o
discipline i'll lIIe military art Aud if th'
officers have attained TO a respectable dc
cree Of knowledge, it will not he difficul
for ,hru,, in IA period ofacIual service, Il
rain their men, in shorI time. in all TIT
duties of the soldier Snurh Carolina ha
acrcd on the assumption of this idea: ant
all her militia laws look particularly 10 ;
b,dv Of well trained aud disciplined Off
GERS. And perhaps no instrument ha
been more useful in accomplishing thi
end. than Brigade Encamrments. will
be readily admitted, that these assemblase
are attended with much Inconvenience II
the officers aud scrgeants. Bntlih"ry cal
only he maintained at the expense of srea
sacrifices, aud eternal vigilance. Exemp
ton from Inconvenience wonld be made
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