The North-Carolinian., 1851-03-29

Nor have the higher qualities OF the gentler
sex developed themselves where chivalry
has departed from among the men, leaving
them effeminatc in their habits and coward
y in their hearts. And wherever a nation
has been found relying solely on political
management for the security Of its rights,
or to the swords Of foreigners for their
defence. corruption in every form has gain
ed possession Of the souls Of the people.
Time was when it was thought that
volunteer troops we're unworthy Of reliance,
and perhaps many even now will battle in
defence Of that hoary error. But among
the names Inscribed upon the pyramid Of
American glory, those Of the volunteer
forces may justly hold rivalry with any
other. The most glorious fields Of our
revolutionary strifes were crimsoned with
the blood of volunteers. In the war Of
1895, the rolls Of the volunteer compa-
MES were Transcribed by fame on her
bloody record. The battle-felds of Mexico
are consecrated by the apotheosis Of many
bold spirit among the volunteer troops.
And the times are coming when the patriot
&c volunteers may be the only soldiers that
Freedom will have to fight her battles
They will stand by her when all others have
fled or become traitors to her cause. This
is force that she will always find in her
hour of need wherever there is a manly
heart to respond to her call. and hand Of
sufficient strength to lay hold upon a sword.
We know not what is awaiting US, but the
times are ominOus and the scenes around
US are full Of awful portents. Heaven
forbid that this "nce happy, nay. now
happy land, should become the scene of
domestic slaughter. But who can say
that it will not be SO? And is it not time
for every thinking man to be looking to it
as al least possible event? and to put to
himself the question. How does it behoove
me to act in such crisis? what shall do
to avert it. if that be possible? but, If come
ought to do? what preparation ought the
people. of which l am part. to make for
its coming? Again l say, Heaven grant
that it may not come. But who dare say
that it will not? Oil has been poured
upon the waves, and it has for a time
quieted their tumult; but the hoarse winds
are still bowling around US, and they may
yet lash up storm more fearful than any
that has preceded it. But it is not nf that
l come to speak. What will say is. that
in the day Of that or any other similar
calamity, our volunteer companies must be
our chief reliance.-perhaps our only
reliance. They alone can be animated by
the proper spirit. They fight not for
bread. or matter of business, but only
for the cause in which they have drawn
their swords. That cause will always be
just. They will strike only for truth
and their native land. And when their
object has been achieved, they will wipe
the blood from their swords, and having
quietly sheathed them. once more betake
themselves to the occupations Of peace.
And troubles even more strictly domestic may
arise among US. In some parOxysm OF excite
ment, even our quiet people may be seized with
a temporary madness, and present to view that
most frlghtful of monsters, an infuriated mob
Words are Inadequate to the expression of the
fearful nature of this exhibition of human power.
Like fierce tornado, with awful uproar it
sweeps along its destined track, and its progress
is marked by ruin and desolation. But happily,
unlike the tornado, human might may withstand
a mob, and say to it, here will l stay thy pro-
gress. A few well disciplined soldiers, properly
armed, can effectually check the progress of
mob the most numerous and determined And
what species of disciplined soldiers, other than
our volunteer companies, can always be ready
for such occasion without imposing on the
community continual evils, equal at least to
those resulting from an occasional outbreak of
an excited mob Who then, does not perceive
that in many contingencies, nay. may we not al
most say certain occurrences, how important 1t
is to have at our command an abundance OF vol
unteer force? And how shall command it,
if it does not exist? In this town Of Fayette
vile, populous it is, one such company at
least ought continually to exist in full sire myth
and perfect preparation. do not say that there
ought not to be more. Indeed, am decidedly of
opirion that there ought There time
when Fayetteville could boast of her battalions |
Of handsomely equipped and we'll disciplined
volunteers Ancient Sparta herself could scarce |
have presented more warlIke front. Why have
those palmy days passed away? and why are we
now SO much wanting in military ardor But
let at least preserve and cherish what is left
to u.s. Let US build up and improve the Com |
panes that we have. They will. when the time |
Of need shall come, prove wholesome leaven in |
the masses of our people, and furnish the means
Of more speedy supply of as many volunteers as
may be required. But consider, pray you, II
this only source ofsupply were entirely cut off,
under what disadvantages should we labor in any
Of the emergencies to which have referred. |
How important then is it that we should pre- !
serve It! AS the community sets value on ITS |
own peace and honor; it values the lives and |
md property of its members, it should give due |
attention to this subject. To this great object |
every in some way contribute. Those |
" ho have already done their duty active SOL |
diers, can encourage by their commendation, by |
their countenance, and even by contributions in |
money. But chiefly by doing honor to such |
young men as manifest proper spirit by joining !
this some other Company. and doing their
duty with fidelity. And why should the Young
and ardent spirits of our community need en-
Why should they suffer an in
sttution such as this to languish and decay,
while they are in existence to fri up its ranks
Do they feel no zeal that Fayetteville should
enjoy the honor of having the second, ii not the
oldest Volunteer Company in the land Are
they fired by noble emulation to fill stations that
their native town? In casting my memory
back to the Oldest and most respectable citizens