The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-11-23
THE MILITIA.

THE MlllllA.
We observe movement made by the com
mandan.s and other officers of the 1st Divi'
sion Of the Virginia Militia, to hold Militia
~ Convention In Lynchburg on the 18th day
of December next, for the purpose of peti'
tiening the Legislature to restore an efiicien'
militia system.
Whilst entertaining great respect ior 'he
character and motives of the gentlemen VINO
have originated this movement we must oe
nerm;,ted 70 doubt its practicabiity snd ex-
pediency. Revolutions do not 'FaVei oa.A
wards and we can scarcely suppose ina. 'iie
rnr;sIa,nre which at its last session aooiish-
na,ho militia system, will at its next revive IT,
w.k,ow of no new facts or circumstances
which have occurred since last winter to can
reconsideration of the Legislative &C
.;nn nc that period The militia system,
which had gradually become old and innrn'
has died quiet and easy death, and we would
write upon It's gravestone, May 1t rest in
peace"
We never were able, in its palmiest days
to see any earthly utility in the militia sys
being the bulwark of liberty, but from the
DAYS of King Alfred down to the last war
with Great Britain, we have never heard of
a militia which was not more dangerous in a
war 10 its own flag, than to that of the enemy.
Individually, it is brave enough, but personal
courage, without discipline, is of little more
advantage in INTERPRETATIONS than personal
cowardice. Indeed, well-drilled army OF
poltroons, officered by men of talents ana
decision, would easily rout twice Its number
of undisciplined heroes Gen Washington, we
have understood regarded the field services
of the militia in the Revolution, as OF very
little account In the late war they were no
match for half their force of regular troops,
and no one ought to have expected them to
he. We hope that in all future conflicts our
rulers will know better than to oppose valu-
able American citizens, unacquainted with
military tactics, to the base mercenaries of
foreign governments. If they are TO be fired
at let them be taught to fire back to the best
advantage, and not slaughtered like sheep, or
forced to run at pace which would kill Red
Eye or Nina.
The militia system can teach men nothing.
1t never has taught them anything A few
days drill in every year, even when veteran
martinets are instructors, can never make
soldiers of citizens. But when the instruc-
tors themselves are citizens-gentlemen, we
admit, of high character, chivalry and posi-
ton, but perfectly innocent of all practical
acquaintance with the art Of war-iti is obvi-
Gus that the pupils can make but little prof
cheney in their studies. They would learn
great deal more, provided they had the time
to spare, from the most ignorant and unedu-
Gated orderly sergeant of the United States
Army than they could acquire from tie
most intelligent and refined civilian of Nir-
ginia.
The militia musters had one benefit, in
bringing the people together and promoting
social and convivial spirit. But as set-off
to that, it must be admitted that on these oc-
easions there was a great deal of bad liquor
drunk, and good many worse speeches
made. Still, the amusement which these spec
tacles afforded, is not to be moderated. Our
own risible faculties, though not easily NOV
ed, have never been able to Withstand the
mirth- exciting caricature upon war; of mi
litia muster the pomp and circumstance OF
the officers, contrasted with the farcical dis
play of broomsticks in the ranks and the
countenances of the privates, who, when or
dered to perform some complicated move
ment, looked "perplexed in the extreme.
IL,
the conscious expression of being put in q
ridiculous attitude, which pervaded the faces
of SO many brave and intelligent men, and
gave them the humble and draggled appear
ance of fighting cocks out in hard shower
We have no doubt that the rank and file OF
any muster would rather have faced d battery
of forty four Founders than the laughter
which their ludicrous appearance awoke in
the crowd
There are no better materials for fighting
purposes than the people of the United States,
provided you can drill and discipline them.
The only means of accomplishing this object
was developed by the war with Mexico. The
volunteer system is the only one which will
make soldiers of Americans In the Mexican
war, the volunteer regiments fought side by
side with the regulars, and shared with them
the dangers and glorieS of the most perilous
field. The force of Gen. Taylor at the mem
orable battle 0fBuena Vista, was principally
composed of volunteers. There was not
single company of regular infantry on the
field, though but for the services of the regu-
lar artillery, the daymight have been lost. Yet
the volunteers fought splendidly. We don't
believe that any regiment at Waterloo beha-
we'd better than Davis's Mississippi regiment
at Buena Vista. The volunteers were gene
rally drilled and commanded by experienced
officers, most of whom were graduates OF
West Point If we would secure to Virgins
military efficiency we must give energy and
spirit TO her volunteer system and to military
schools.