Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-21
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THE MILITIA SYSTEM.


afftirs which NAV at any time terminate in battle,
20 examine our resources, and ascertain our
degree orreadinoss Tor the fiery ordeal Of valor
and strength to which may be called. And,
with this object we would ask every candid man
whether if the militia ofthe State were suddenly
called out, they would possess any efficiency as
Iliseiplined soldiers whether, from all that they
have learned as militia. men, they would be any
better prepared to meet the thoroughly trained
legons of England. than if they had never seen
n muster or parade IL not, is it not an useless
expense OF money, and waste of the citizen
time, TO require any thing more than mere en-
rolment and registration of men, subject to mill
tary duty, leaving their more complete organlza-
ton and discipline to period when they may be
called to the icldl
We are fully sensible of the illustrious servi.
ces which have been rendered to our country by
the militia. The annals of our revolutionary re-
nown are umined every page by their galan-
try and fortitude. The last war is not wanting
in brilliant proofs of their valor and usefulness.
Yet IT has never been by means of any discipline
or military Knowledge previously acquired, that
they have achieved renown. Their most success
ful modes of Il hiing have often been in violation
of the established rules OF warfare, kind OF
guerilla contest, in which they relied entirely
up m their native courage, sagaciiy and strength.
The instances have been rare in which they have
obtained much .ciat in a scientific fight. 1t has
been the men, and not the system, which has g-
efficiency TO our militia.
The present Militia Law of the Commonwealth,
requires annually one regmental muster, and
two company musters, besides an annual officer
drill Will any one who has ever with, sscd these
psrades, pretend that they are of service in
conveying military knowledge and sodierly DIS
clplne! Can such short period Of instruction
and practice, even If every officer Of the militia
were graduate OF West Point, prove OF perma-
nent benefit, or enable men 10 meet in regular
warfare, soldiery whose life has been spent in
the camp, and to whom battle is as familiar
a review No one, we suppose, expects any
such result. 1t has been indeed urged that, as a
mere relaxation from ordinary business, these mi
ltary exhibitions are OF benefit TO the community.
And certainly, If heavy expense IL TO he incur.
red by citizens, for mere amusement, the
State could adopt more ehectuai method than
the solemn farce of an annual regmcntal mus.
ter But we deny that il is relaxation ." 'h" r-'"
cIPar Pai,,es transaction, the unfortunate
privates who compelled 10 toll and groan
through the weary day, in what may be we'll call
ed in their case, 1.-The pursuit of knowledge under
difficulties" 1t may be sport to the spectators,
but it is "death" TO them. Ii may be fun to the
superior officers, who, with gorgeous epaulettes.
and sabres glittering in the sun, with CAV pIumes
nOddnS over prancing steeds and counter ances
resplendent with the greatness Of the hour re-
mind young school boys of Masha Murat, and
cause the Ethiopian almost TO change his .kin in
the luxury of his unboundcd admiration But
with the rank and file, VINO are forced to follow in
the train OF these conquering heroes, we appre.
bend there is Just about as much pleasure as pro.
tit. Not a mothers son of them who is forced to
trudge for hours upon his 'winding way beneath
the burning heat, or drenching rain, but would
Juyfuly cast away the corn stalk, broom. stick. or
old musket, with which he is required periodically
TO sustain the honor Of his country. and betake
himself with alacrity to the labor and reward Of
his daily occupation.
The total number Of the militia Of Virginia,
including officers OF every grade, is 1868.
Three days IN every year, the days for regimen.
tai and company musters, must this immense DO.
dy of men leave their ordinary pursuits, and lose
but a moderate sum TO state the average worth 10
each man of the day thus lost, at one dollar per
day. Here then, have the enormous annual
amount of 1864 $50, lost from the means of the
community, without one cen: Of compensatino
good. But there is n direct expenditure in atten.
ding musters, for feed for man and horse, which
would scarcely average less than fifty cents Der
man. But we will place it in round numbers at
100000 per year.
Compute the total of this enormous sum. and
then think what fund for the Improvement of
the State and the education of her children. the
people would he able to contribute but for the
Immense LOSS which they yearly sustain upon an
idle and silly pageant.
simple enrolment and registration of the
militia, dispensing entirely with musters, womb
answer every useful purpose. Other States. Dor
dering too on the line of foreign power. have
adopted this plan. The militia, under such a .ys.
tenn, would he just well prepared for warfare AS
at present. In the mean time, our volunteer
companies should receive the encouragement of
the State and the people. They are generally
soldier like and we'll disciplined body of tnep.
fully prepared Tor any and every en- rgency. The
State never can, and never ought ~ dispense with
their services. Their efficiency might be also
promoted by commutation tax upon each mllitin
man OF fifty cents, ~ lieu Of his three annual
muslers. one half Of the whole am unit thus raised
TO AID in defrayng the expenses Of volunteer COM
panies, the other to be added to tho Literary
Fund
The Military Institute too, should be cherished
as means Of dHuslng Military knowledge, as
we'll as the other inestinablc dement's Ia education
which have proceeded from this noble In.tution.
IL will supply the State with capable instructors
for her schools in peace, and with soldiers, who.
10 war; will emulate the example Of the noble
youths Of the Polytechnic school IN the French
Revolution, and lead the people IA their strup.
giles glinst an enemy. But our present Militia
System Is worse than useless. IL Is a dead and
barren tree. "Why cumbereth II the ground p