Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-12
WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
HONOR TO THE BRAVE!

HONOR TO THE BRAVE!
On Monday last. we had the pleasure of
Witnessing the presentation OF a sword 10 1t
Col. CASTOR Meares, late of the Arkansas Cav
airy, by the citizens of this his native place.
William Hill. Esq, oficiated on the occasion,
and in an eloquent and stirring address, COM
municated TO Col. Meares the expressions Of
regard with which he was universally regard
ed by the citizens of this place. The orator
gracefully alluded 10 the occasion as one Of
high interest. Still almost in the first blush
of manhood, him whose gallantry and patriot
ism they had met to honor, had left his birth
place a few years since 10 seek fame and for.
tune in the Valley of the great West. The
war came, and the gallant young Cape Fear
soldier" as Mr.. Hill very happily termed him,
was found among the first OF those who rush
ed 10 the standard of their country His was
no mere excursion for patriotism
with him, was not satisfied with the mere ca
pacity to boast that he had been in the enc
mys country, and within sound OF his cannon
The period for which he engaged 10 serve
having expired, he again volunteered TO sus-
tain his country's flag to the end OF the war,
and did not resign his sword until peace was
accomplished. The orator alluded in felici-
tous terms to the day, as associated with the
memory of Jackson, and took occasion to pay
well-merited tribute 10 the virtues of the de-
parted. in his various military and civil capa-
cities. Upon the very spot where few weeks
since the citizens of Wilmington had assem-
bled TO mourn the loss and hear the eulogy of
the gallant Burgwin, they are now honoring
the deeds and rejoicing in the merit of anoth.
er equally brave but living townsman.
Col Meares responded in clear, strong,
and manly voice. Words, he said, were in
adequate 10 express his sense of the compli-
ment which his fellow citizens had been pleas
ed to bestow upon him. 1t was the more
grateful, since it came from the associates of
his early days. The Colonel modes,ly abstain
ed from any detail Of the action in which he
secured 80 proud name, but spoke in gene
raj, and al some length, of the war, and the
capacity of our volunteer troops to endure the
hardships and discipline of the camp. The
effect OF their proves and good conduct has
already told in Europe. He at the same time
paid an eloquent tribute 10 the graduates OF
West Point, and mentioned with honor the
officers and men of the Volunteer Regiment OF
this State
The ceremony took place on the steps OF
the Cape Fear Bank, and was witnessed by a
large concourse Of citizens and strangers from
the surrounding country. Numbers of ladies
graced the occasion with their presence, and
added by their smiles to the interest of the
! scene
We were pleased TO see Major Genera
Marsteller and Staff present, accompanied BY
the Clarendon Horse Guards, in full uniform
The military never looked better. Indeed, we
think there is growing taste in military mat
tiers abroad. If what COL Meares says be re-
ceived as authority, our citizen soldery, taker
from our midst, make the best armies for thu
Republic, and are most reliable in case of e.
Emergency. The occasion may be proper fo
the remark, however, that our present militia
system is wanting " in more respects thar
one,'' as we always feel inclined to say, in
stead OF more generally condemning an ar
rangement which produces much evil, and NJ
good, that we can discern. There are, proba
bly,, on the stage, happier illustrations of pop
ular folly, but we fancy that none can equa
a militia training in the intensity of lis conf
calities If musters be intended for instruc
ton, as they should be, they ought to be fewe
in occurrence, and longer in duration. A MAJ
can learn little of the tactics which would b
serviceable in war, under the present arrange
ment We notice that in Pennsylvania an
one or two other States. the militia are Assem-
bled but once year. They are marched t
some convenient place of instruction for fey
days, where they employ themselves in be
coming familiar with the duties of the soldier
and while engaged in such services, officer
and men. receive the same pay and allowan
ces as if actually on duty, in the service c
the United States 1t is thus only that an ell
} ficient and soldlery corps of men can ever b
, constructed.