The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-06-24

sgssen. There is undsniably respectable mis
nority, if not q majority, Of tho people who
desiro an utter destruction Of the present eyss
tenn, with, we believe, n.entiro Willingness 70
submit to a reasonable annual tax in lou there
Of And we know there are manyiwho enter
thin n strong belief in the efi dbnsy mud utility
of our militia regulations ias athey now stana.
These. iin The event Of reform sach as mem
TONED, would constitutes the yoluntecrs;: and
for a while would no doubt be quite punctual
| in tho performance of ;y0lnnteer duty. But
we predict for such organizations as volunteer
battalions and regiments, a stormy and evanes-
cent career. Tho thing would be a signal fail.
urc. Suppose the Legislature Of. South, Caroli-
ma should demolishtle present system, and al-
low the citizens of the State to muster or not,
Just as might seem good to them, and very re-
spectacle majority of them were to undertake
d system of volunteer military duty, how long
before disaffeotion would arise, strife crawl In,
and disorganization epsuef Battalions, regi-
monts, and brigades would certainly be found
altogether too large and unwieldfy for manage
ment by any command unless it were invested
with legal authority. Innumepable: questions
of q obstructive character would inevitably
arlse-eloctions, appointments, e. most fruitful
source OF jealousy trials for default and 60 on
and as there would be no law binding them
together save their own voluntary agreement
whole files would quit tho field. We conclude
some other attractive power than mere military
pride is necessary to the pcrpetuaton of any
system of soldicry.
1t might be that kind of optional system
would be more effective and accommodating.
That is, lot the alternatives muster or pay a
tax, be presented. Money, we know, is very
potential, and next to law would perhaps do
most in filling up battalion ranks, but MANY,
very many, would prefer any reasonable tax to
the field and drill.
1t ls not our purpose though to enter into
discussion on the subject of military reform
Individually, we care little whether the system
be perpetuated or not; because VIC do not re-
gard its continuance rs essential to the "gen-
eral welfare, nor its demolition as ominous of
evil in any degree. But we only speak of it as
matter of general interest. If tho people of
Abbevillo District are in any wise dcsirous of
change it is their right to know what move
ments are being made in regard to it in other
quarters Of tho State. A majority of tho citi-
zens of South Carolina might desire change
never so much, and one District bc making Wig
orous efforts to that end, and yet another Dis
trict holding the aame sentiments bo totally in
active because ignorant that. sho possessed
allies 1t is right, then, of the people to
know what is in motion in other sections, and
the press owes it to them to impart that knowl.
edge to the extent of its capabilty, its aversion
to or sympathy for such movements not con-
sidered. 80.
The influence of the press hasoundoubtedly
been marvellous in tho formatioRof our char
acter as social, political and religious peopie,
butwe arenot such strong believatsi in its infiu-
ence as to look for the crumbIing Sfstatutes and
systems ut tho echo of its tocsin- aNevertheless
its voice is IN index to some oxtentto the scnti-
ment Of people. AS such we notice the fact
81 several journals in the State baing avowcd
advocates Of military reform. The Greenyille
Patriot, Anderson advocate, Newberry Sentinel,
two believe and perhaps some others, seem to
favor reform. The Press says lot oil muster
who like the fun of mastering, but it had much
rather perform military duty by proxy, or the
annual payment Of reasonable tribute to tho
public treasury.