The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-07-12
fs % I J / y I J " 4 i :
IYI lis GEL L "A NEO.US
4 ,s5de.Is7 NuiAiti:a system.

melancholy satisfaction in signing forth
the familiar strain, "would were boy
again, surely it is when, called away
from more congenial pursuits, he is
Summoned to mount weapon and
tramp through the drumbless, fifeless,
sNncouth man1uvcrings Of q militia
beat company. However much we
may ycnerate the law and love to lend
$slSWilling obedience to its high bchcsts,
..3isge shall always object to the obnoxious
and outrageous clause, which com
tsnands ds&Athe sovereignty to "fall in
TO line" (Which line BY the way, is
usually about as straight as the Indians
tree, which, bent considerably over the
5Spther way, and to execute motions for
the sport of sensible men and the ad-
a1niration of the multitude Of the rising
8s5en eration-without the slightest i'll
\ 5ssceIttiste to spur him onward in the path
fSSfs duty sas:e that administered to his
heels by his door neighbor, and without
oven the sweet consolation which al
way springs from a consciousness of
3self-improvement, of serving ones
country, or OF comforting q benefit upon
humanity.
But seriously, these are only frivo-
3lous and childish objections to the mi
3litia system of our State; which we, at
sthesrisk of being considered presump-
stuotls ls,snnst hold to be must consun-
unteshnlnbug, uuu,iligated by the
lstightest semblance Of utility or of
Sieason, unworthy of the wise legisla-
t5IoiS Iliich has unusually marked the
sSOinsels of-our State, and entirely be-
lind the spirit and temper Of the age
Iin k@hieh3swe live. And we rejoice,
therefore, to perceive, in several quar-
tiers, well defined indications of a de-
sire on the part Of the people for it's
essential notification or entire abolish
slrlei,,. Although it may be thought
gratuitous waste of time and space to
consider y question, the right decision
sof@llicli:appears SO &palpably evident
and Of such easy access, yet its real
would seem to demand az
our hands more than passing notice.
fhe SoaM C'arolimian, III comment.
ing upon the subject, uses tho following
plausible language "Whilst admit.
ting that reform Unnecessary, it should
aforementioned that our present sys-
tenn has heretofore worked well, and
that. South Carolina has sent to the
sbattlo.tields; of the country as we'll
trained and disciplined troops as those
from any other State in the Union"
Nov, We are proud to admit that the
citizen soldicry of South Carolina has
done bravely ,Md we'll in her service.
and with a rare devotion, borne her
flag trinmphantly through the perils OF
;thc conflict; but we are not ready to
grant that this effect is to be ascribcd.
IN I'M my the least degree, to the innu-
5ellce ola military training at home
$Onthc contrary, we would rather re-
gard the briar-patch lessons inflicted by
the the drilling ota beat company, as bet
ter calculated to inspire disgust and
contempt for everything military or
sWar-like;; and it surely affords u super
fetal and Incorrect knowledge of the
true system Of tactics, which must it.
self be cnnlearned and entirely oblitcra.
ted ere the simplest movement of the
real soldier is begun to be learned. in
truth the Successful heroism in battle,
which hus Won all cnviablc character
5for. the, citizen soldier of the Palmetto
sStatesfisithe boon left by gallant an.
3cestry-an inheritance of the spirit
Sssllich animated the patriot fathers OF
ssene sl9syolntion, and which will always
fneryea ahejsons to deeds of noble dar
singg, Wills amemory of the past holds
$nlplaccs in the consciousness Of tile
present. 5
$ NVe,are we'll aware that the prcscr
3Nation Of q complete military or ganiza-
stionFis important, as well for the ordi-
mary. purposes Of internal police, as for
the contingencies which may at any
Stimesarisc, requiring the employment
sDf forcc3a arms. This end, however,
caltbe much more eflcctuaIIy subscrv-
ed byihe adoption ofthc system which
as ofiorce in Virginia, and several 9TH
ses States, andrwhich embodlcs all the
advantages of the present organization,
without the glaring evils resulting from
ats imperlcctions. The law in these
States provides for the enrolment Of
every one liable Is do military duty,
and the leYying upon each Of small
reputation tax instead Of the actual ser
vice,7--the money thus oblained to be
appropriated TO the complete equip
sllnent Of properly organized volunteer
eoll,Paliies, either cavalry OF infantry
one 10 each rcgment.l
by the enactment Of such provis.
.ionlin our State, and lthc consequent
8abolitionfof the beat company, batal.
3lionand reginental paradcs, much bet
ter drilled and orgaRized companies
aud aslnesc effective police would be
produced. We pentlrel 70 say that al
most every one @ould choose to pay
5a snail tux rather tllan perform the
5Jl;iSse'l,l y; service now required; while
sEssSf v yllp tt!lei!soSSF y. dEfPerd lscome