Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-12-07
Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA, NOVEMBER %, 1872.

ana ff0uSe o. Appropriateness
Coming as you do, fresh finn the DO
som Of The People, imbued with the high
est and latest confidence Of your constiiu-
ents; guided by an enlightened perception
of their interests, aud hecdful Of the as
pect Of recent events, the occasion may
be regarded as favorable us il is impor-
luut, TO invite your attention 10 some ofthe
means oil promoting the veal and prosper
ity of the Stale aud its institutions.
Among these, the most obvious aud the
most useful, nre, doubtless, an effective
preparation for defence, 10 our military
organization aud munitions of war; The
diffusion Of the advantages Of a liberal aud
enlightened education; the Improvement
Of the morals Of our people; tho jGdiclous
rcglulion of our currency; the develop
ment Of The sources, and an Equalization
Of the burdens Of revenue, tholencourage-
men, oil agrieniturat industry aBd improve.
ment; and. finally, the attraction OF The
talent, patriotism, and aspirations OF our
cilizcns, TO the performance ofihe highest
duties and obligations Of their allegiance;
by d~igni(yins aud elevaiing her official
stations, land thereby improving their OPP
portunitics Of usefuluess,) TO a standard
worthy Of the highest intellect as vel as
the most honorable ambition.
Happily (or our interest, the wisdom OF
the late legislature has provided tue most
ample and permanent means for ilnprov
ins one Of these enumerated and esscniial
esource Of our strength, ouripcace. and
our security. The nuw complete organi-
zaliou Of II militia. accompanied by a
juGic:ous and ineligible disesof all the
acts regulating il, together with the resto-
ration OF The practical opportunities OF
improvement, afforded by the camp drill,
has mare than realized its anticipated ben
e6ts. aud prcscuts US in an altitude of de-
fence, 10 command lae respect of The
world. It's influence has aroused The spir-
il and the emulation Of our officers, inspi.
red a sense Of duty in our soidiery, aud
animated the patriotism and confidence of
all our people. Built upon the expert
nee Of more than forty years. since the
fist organization VI our mililia sysiem-
educated from the accumulated Iahors and
opinions Of many Of our sablest and most
efficient oficcrs--,he deiibera,e result Of
che popular will. and rc1eciedby the firm
convictions Of Two legislatures. Il ought 10
be- regarded with a sacred Yeneration,
which no supposed perception OF slight
imperfeciions or Inconvenience, should
ever induce us TO abandon, or To- iaHorntc.
No scepticism in the morals, or patriot
ism. or the capacity ofthe yeopie for self
government, is more dangerous ss unjust.
than that which deprcciatcs and dcrides
their ability for soif-dsfence. If. in tho
absence of all constitutional power 10 re.
tain q standing military force, the States
Of tb:s Union possess 40 meanssat that of
a polemical argument TO mailtain their
-p;sAss@as&sovrrrfSusI rtTrsc Tf6ElssssUeftf
indeed be found 10 be vain, shadowy, and
unprnf,able before Tho aFbitf1fnent of an
armed federal po,co,a,e. inorr late con-
ties. with federal power, it was not TO the
mere efficacy offs laws, or the sarc!ity
ordinanccs-to the justice Of her caose, or
the strength of her defence, thai the State
looked at last for protection. And were
the dangers of the past to recpr, or the
u~nfavorable forebodinss Of the future TO be
realized. i; is 10 the bold hearts and nerved
and disciplined patriotism Of the militia,
lha, South Carolina wot>ld again appeal,
as the first 10 feel aud IN synpaihizo for
her wrongs, aud as the only 6ually avail
able source OF defending hor. Occupying
this important relation TO the State, Ihoy
have asked aud received from her conf
dence and libersliiy, the mean and the
opportunities. Of acquiring all the accom-
plishments. as we'll as performing all the
Tolls. Of their laborious vocation. No ca.
PRECIOUS spirit Of chanse-uo servilc defer
ence 10 popular clamors-noignoble HON.
age to parry pride or in'erest-uo dcluded
sense OF sccurity-I trust. will ever induce
you TO revoke il.
/, afford, me a similar satisfaction, TO
report the favorable condition and ade.
quate supply Of our arms, arsenals. ani
munitions OF war. Procured nj an ex.
pense 10 the State Of not less HAN half @
million, aud requiring an annual appro.
p%riali"n Of iwcuIy.four thousand dollars,
for their care and supervision, as well rs
for indispensable police duties inciden, to
a military depot. they necessarily occupy
an important portion Of the soliciiudo and
attention Of tho Executive, TO VI those con
troll they ore almost exclusively subjected.
Undcr this responsibility, ! Instituted m
investigation, TO ascertain If no part Of
this annual burden on the treasury could
be juliciously dispensed with. The re-
suit Of a minute aud dispassinnate Inquiry,
soon satisfied nc Of the fallacy of this ex-
pectalion. a r%uinous neglect NJ. arms,
ordnance, aud military atoresdro the value
Of more than half q million-the danger
arising from the neglect or ipjudirious care
Of powder. 10 the amount or more than
fifty thousand pounds. with The addition
Of The entire supply Of the city. allowed
by law, and required by tho regulations
Of council, TO be deposited 10 our maya.
zines)-and the dilapidation and decay Of
valuable ard costly buildings, would, Of
course, ensue, and prove in It's results, the
most unpro6table of all systems Of econo
my, and could not be regarded as a policy
which n people, vigiIani nf their rights.
and providen, Of the public wenl. would
approve. The value and utility OF these
military institutions. demunsfPatsi as they