Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-29
Far The enquirer.
TO THE MEM BERs OF THE VIRGINIA
LEGISLATURE


Such has been the lapse of time since hi
country was engaged in actual war, and such ha
been The advance Of nations in intellectual
and religious improvement, that TOO many
arc prone 10 think that The wisdom Of Exc
culive and Representative bodies, with just con
sideralion Of the great international interests will
under any and all circumstances, ward OF hos
tiliies. That this is the religious duty OF all
none will doubt; bit while We may wonder a
even the remoiest prospect OF war, in this enlgh
ened period, yet on rational view of our presen
condition, whose eyes are so dim, whose nina.
so narrow as not 10 perceive that Inc eeincn'S %
war are in serious agitation-and mat, ere obs.
that great calamity may fall upon usl Should
il come. The people OF this country will stand to-
aelher, under one name only, viz The Palriol
Soldiers OF the Union. Political titles will for the
time be discarded and sectional jealousies will
listraci US no longer
But will the combined efforts Of our people
avail, inspired as cy will be- By an abiding pa
rictism, without military discipline? No, sirs;
unframed, a, they are, they will fall under The
shock OF The disciplined regiments OF Britain
rout after rort will ensue, ill the militia VIII DIS
trust their officers and cease 10 conhde IN them-
selves. Success would attend The arms OF The
ny lives were lost that we should be qualhed 10
defend our hearlhs and win The plaudis OF those
who would be looking 10 US as their defenders
The militia laws Of Virginia are unavailable Tor
the necessary military instruction. Onr officers
are unframed, and privales face 10 The right
about. when ordered front fice-inducina one 10
think that there was no modern chvary al leas'
in Virginia, and 10 fear that our Virginia sol
ders might obtain an odum not meriled, by
being shot in The backs in obeyins the above
command, by coming 10 righi-abo
In view, then, gentlemen, Of The probability OF
war with The greatest power on earth, the very
access afforded an enemy by our navigabl.
streams 10 our towns, villages, farms and farm
houses The defective military system OF the State,
and The importance Of preparing for war during
peace, respectfully suggest the necessity OF
so Altering and amending the Militia laws as
10 ensure The more perfect drilling oil the militia.
If the training OF officers, and regimena
ard petty musters were more frequent,
military pride would soon be aroused and
corresponding improvement in tactics on
The part of officers and prvates speedily iol-
low In the event Of all causes OF war being
amicably adjudicaed, another Legislature could
adopt such acts as wonld heller compor with INC
quiet condition of The country. Should The pre-
sent Legislature make such changes or additions
as aOoVe lIlpiie', duI 'ue t'e Pe"f'ei 'i'd
ising circumstances would not utter complaint
for the loss of time 10 their domestic affair, in al
tending 10 This great department Of individual.
State, and national interest.
BUCKLE NECK.
rive may be wrong, but we think the views OF
our correspondent are not sustained BY The recent
news. In justice 10 him, however, we publish The
above. Upon The principle, ain peace, prepare
for war;" his suggestions may be valuable. No
one will pretend, that our present militia system
isabove provement.-Eduors.