Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1840-07-04


been avoided, and an immense expenditure Of
blood ard treasure saved to the naiiOn. The
warning voice, which vas not needed then. may
perhaps be beard now, and, Il 1t s,ii may produce
incalcuable benefits
a mere oTganzaiion would avail but Little ,un-
less inducements we're held out for proper ustruc-
ton and equipment; aud ! consider, therefore,
some provision for elementary instruction and for
such equipment as may be necessary 10 excite a
proper emulation, Indispensable TO any improve.
mont Of our militia sysiem--indlspGnsable,l may
add, TO its very existence. An arrangement for
these objects would embrace the first class only.
Il would. to be sure, involve expense; for an ad.
eoua,e compensation must be allowed to the per-
sons REQUIRED to be embodied al these schools Of
instruction for a few days in the year; and II
would probably be found expedicn TO continue
the present plan Of voluntary corps. with some
changes. and to require them also 10 meet for I'M
proyemeni. 1t Is N vain TO expect, that the whole
adult male population OF the county can or will
furnish themselves with the articles required by
law or that their collection for any number OF
DAYS they can afford to devote to this object, and
under the usual circumstances OF such assemble
ges. can produce any beneficial effect TO them
selves or their country. Already, in number of
the States, the system has sunk under the weight
ofpublIc opinion and the practical question now
is whether we shall remain in fact defenceiess or
resort to large standing military force IN time OF
peace-that just dread of all free Governments
or adopt an efficient plan, which viii prepare Tor
the public defence the greatest force at the least
cost, and without danger The blessings We have
inherited cannot he preserved without exerllou,
nor without expense. twere idle TO sit still and
aatter ourselves with the hope that war is never
to overiake us, and it would be worse TO delay all
efficient organization of our physical means, tlII
the lime fJr lis active employment arrives. Near.
ly fifty years have elapsed since the adoption OF
the present Constitution. During all that time no
essential changes have been made IN our militia
system,and il has gradually declined in utility and
efficiency and in public confidence and there is
reason to fear IFS entire abandonment unless II
undergo lmporan! notifications In TINS long
interval, the value Of the system seems 10 nave
been appreciated by all the Presidents OF the Uni
ted States, as well as those who, from the haohs
OF their lives, could best estimate its value by their
personal observations, as by those whose orIn-
IONS may have been we'll formed from the course
their annual communications, commencing with
the inaugural address of General Washington,
this subject has been almost constantly pressed
upon The attention Of Congress. For the purpose
oil showing MS Importance, in the opinion OF those
eminent citizens, have caused their communca-
lions 10 be examined, and find that the subject
mas been presented 10 the Legislature and the ma
iion no less than thiry-one times in their official
recommendation. indulge the hope that the pre-
sent state OF public atflirs may lead TO a re-exam-
lnatlen OF the systen,and to such changes as may
render It permanently Useful"
NY plan eKewpls the very Young men from
militia du'y, and, " this respect, comedies with
mat proposed By General Scott, and recummen-
oed oy Mr. BGboG--Eo, only because ! agree
with them, that such distribution OF service is
is an improper and unnecessary Interference
with parents and guardians. and has an immor.
al tendency. but from the hardship it impo-
ses, and the difficulty !, creates Of bringing TO-
se'neT even small body of men in sparsely SET
led districts. 1t includes oil free white men,
f,m The age OF from twenty to ,bHty.seven, sepe-
rating from she mass Of the MALTA 400, 900 men,
one nah OF the number. 10 be liable 10 be called
o@ Tor training and the other halt to be liable TO
military duty Ne reserve, If then services should
be needed-the militia mustered for training. to
De assembled IN the neighborhood Of depots OF
arms 10 be established for The purpose. each bat
'aiion within his ats own State, and as nearly as
practicable IN the centre of It's district. II re-
comments The battalion formation, as confessedly
( ihat best adapted for instruction. II contem-
( plates armlng the militia thus selected, with arms,
TO be furnished and Kept constantly in good order,
I by The MISUNDERSTANDING in force the LIST
section Of the law Of 1872. both because no pre-
ceeding plan proposed its repeal. aud because the
act which provides for The distribution OF arms
among the several States in proportion to the
number OF Their militia, enables them TO relieve
Their citizens IN avery great degree. from the bur.
dens OF furnishing their own arms and equip
( menis. hat sechon OF The old law is in these
"ofds. nat every citizen so enrolled and no.
tined shall, within SIX months thereafter, provide
himself win good muskei or ireock,a sufficlen,
oasOns' and belt. two spare fitnts, and knapsack
/ poaEca wlth box therein, TO contain no, less
than "a cartridges suited to the bore Of his mus
ket or hsslook each cartridge to coa,ain prop
ef qdanliiy Of powder and ball, or with q good
/ rife, knapsack, shot pouch and powder horn. 20
balls suited 10 the bore Of bis rife, quarter OF a
pound Of POWDER and shah appear so armed,
acce3tred aad provided. when called out 10 exer.
cise OF INTO se'nee--except, thai Nhen called out
on company caysio exercise only. be may appear
without knaPsack. Tia, the cOmmissn'd officers
shall. seTerally be atSned wi,h sxosd or hanger,
aud sspOOtOon- and shat from and after eve
ysaEs from the passing Of this act all maske,s iol
arrlng me Malta. as herein required. shall be OF
coFes sutacent for balls Of the eighteenth part Of
pound. Add every eiilsen so enrolled and pro
S'ded wIih arms, amunlisons and accoutrements
required as Aforesaid shall hold the same exsmpi
from al suats, discusses or sales Tor debt or Go'
The psymeHi OF taxes" Tbs section of the aci
was approved hy GeSefai Washington in 1892