The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-08-16
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Ledger.l
The Militia Question.

Perhaps no State in the Union can boast OF
more elevated position in regard to talent
virtue, or moral and high.:oncd sentiment
and none more remarkable for general in
telligence, than South Carolina; yet it is n
lamentable fact, that where old and obsolete
customs should be abandoned, and where
new and decidedly Advantageous ideas of re.
form are brought forward for adoption. she
is slow o'act and, consequently, in rear OF
many other sister States. This is strikingly
exemplitiedin the Militia Laws of the State.
While othersStatcs have long since seen the
inutility ofthe system, and cast il aside rs be-
ing worthless, ,Sou!hC Carolina still enforces nm
arduous military duty upon her working clas-
ses, rs If she were daily looking for an invad-
ing enemy,and expected her untaught, undril-
led.militia TO repei them! The history of 1919
might teach her. thai tn ls..d 90 s-si..is.iinad
mill ID 10 tbc 'battie-field, is to lead them to
slaughter pen.
We rejoice to see that some of the upper
districts are, at last, moving in this matter
but this, like nil other efforts Of reform, is,
Of course not without opposition.
We have never heard any good reason
advanced by the friends of the system, why
IL should not be abolished but an evident.
seeming reluctance to change old customs,
Is clearly Perceptible-an apprehension Of
something that they have never taken the
trouble to define, or, perhaps a superstilious
dread that some terrible calamity would re-
suit from abolshing system established by
their fore-fathers.
We are told that we are doing well under
the system. and had better let "welr" n
lone.
To such paltry argument, we might re-
ply that twenty years ago we were doing
vastly well with sailing vessels and stage
conchcs, but now, with steam boats and rail.
roads we do infinitely better.
II Is also recommended as social benefit.
We are told that it is pleasure for men to
meet and hold social concou urse at the mus.
ter ground But these social meetings often
end in ri"t and murder. We agree, it is n
famous place for men to meet and greet
each other, and oftentimes not with the hand
Of cordiaIity, but with the cub, the bowie.
knife, or the rev olverl Instead Of its being
a social blessing.it Is moral curse! Go
search your records Of justice and there see
the tcrrisle and damning array of crime ard
murder that has been perpetrated at1hese
moral pests called petty mustcrs. The prose-
cution Of these crimes has cost your State
an immense amount of money; enough,
doubtless to support police force, sufii.
cient for all the purposes where your militia
could possibly be aysIlable.
Again, we are told that to abolish the
system, would damp the ardor Of the mill.
tary pride, which is somewhat notorious
10 this State. This, We doubt not is very
powerful objection in the eyes of greal
many. Men delight TO hear themselve.
called by high sounding titles---delight "a
see themselves mounted upon prancing
steeds encased in military trappings! All
this looks exceedingly fine In the field, bu,
TO gratify the ambition Of few who seek
military honor, is scarcely asufIicient motive
for dragging tte poor man from his farm
the mechanic from his shop, or the merchant
from bis business, at times, too, when ihcil
daily labor is necessary for the support Of
their families. and many having TO traverse
distance Of twenty titles or upwards, and
then exposed for hours TO the heat Of a
brcilng spn. in actual danger Of lje. And
all for whati Certainly not to drill you,
militia Tor sevvics, for the idea is ladicrous
but to feed the vanity Of few Who crave
military distinetion.
We honor and respect tbs seeker after
military fame. when he Is setaated by pars
and ehIvslic impulses But is this always
the easss Have your nilitia leaders ever
ssineed any erenf prediIsctioa for actual
serxicei Let the past testify. When IN 4e
your ss'iaat little State was called upon 70,