Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-04-01

We lay before our readers the Farewell
Address Of Adjutant General JONES, to the
Militia Of South Carolina, accompanied
with the remarks of the talented Editor Of
the South Carolinian. On account of in
disposition, we are forced to defer our own
remarks until future day.
From the South Carolinian.
TO THE MILITIA OF S. CAROLINA.
Having rendered TO the Commander-in.
Chief my resignation of the office of Ad-
ju,ant and Inspector General, l cannot look
forward to the dissolution of those ties by
which we have been so long united
strengthened and consecrated as they are
by so many gratifying recollections-with-
out being affected by the strongest emo
lions; nor can ! permit the occasion to
pass without bidding you an affec,ionale
farewell, and offering to you individually
and collectively, my best wishes for your
success, in all your pursuits, whether as
cltizens or soldiers. Profoundly grateful
to you for your orderly aud respectful de-
pertinent towards me while officiating as
your Military Instructor, and to the State,
for the flattering proofs of its parliality and
confidence, which have repeatedly expe
rienced, should do violence to my feel
ings were 10 retire from the office with
which have been Lonored, without pub
lie expression of these sentiments, and
without explaining the motives which in
duced my resignation.
Iaccepted this high and responsible trust,
in the hope and belief that 1 could "ren-
der the State some SERVICE" by devoting
my best efforts to the improvement Of The
discipline of our Militia, so as to render il,
in fact, as it is in theory, The great bulwark
of our civil and political institutions. be-
lieved that the Legislature, admonished
by our then recent experience, had devised
q sYs.ees which. faithfully executed, would
fulfil all the hopes of patriotism, by provid-
ing body ofintelligent and well instructed
Officers, at all times prepared to conduct
the troops Of the State, when any public
emergency might call them 10 the field.
This system, as you are aware. was re-
pealed by the Legislature, at its recent
session; and though l may not presume
to question the wisdom of that body, in
adopting that course, may be permitted,
without arrogance, to decide upon the d-
minisbed value Of my own services, pro-
duced by it. Conscientiously believing
that any services could now render would
be purely nominal, cannot but feel that |
owe it to the State, not less than to my
self, TO retire from station in which can
be no longer useful, and where my COM
pensation would be without an equivalent
return ofbeDefit to the public.
A Board of Officers. appointed by the
Legislature, at its session in 1885, 10 digest
the Militia Law, submitted the result of
careful and laborious examination of the
subject, in the form Of Bill, embodying
what was conceived TO be the whole Mill
tia Law of South Carolina, divested Of The
intricacy produced by multiplicity Of
conflicting enactments, and Ineligible to
all. lcannot otherwise regard the rejec-
ton OF tina, Bill, by two successive Legis-
latures, than as the highest evidence of the
declining importance of the Militia, in the
estimation of the State, and believe than
any future efforts on my part, 10 revive an
efficient system, would moi be appreciated
or sustained.
In taking leave of you, and f/the SER
vice of our beloved Stale, beg you to be
assured, that the deep interest have here.
tofore felt in your Military improvement, is
in no degree diminished, and if conjunc-
ture should occur, inlwhich South Carroll
ma may be constrained 10 defend her fire.
sides and altars, shall always be prepar-
ed TO rally with you under The Palmetto
banner, and devote myself to her defence,
in any rank she may be pleased to assign
me. Again, brother officers and fellow
soldiers, l bid you an afIectionatc fare.
well. JAMES JONES.
COLUMBIA, March %, lS4l.