Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-01-09
NECESSITY AND PLAN OF A PERMANENT
PATROL.

No doubt the recent runlors OF impending lnsurrec.
tior, have excited a sensation OF uneasiness and ap.
prehenson throughout the community. 1t is fortu-
nate indeed that We have only to deplore passing
panic, since The developments have revealed very
prevalent spirit OF muny, il not general purpose
| OF revolt among the slave population. II the affair
Ia to be turned proper account, We may congratu'
late ourselves securing the safety of the commu
| nifty at the triaiug Inconvenience OF a momentary
| alarm.
There Is reason to fear We know, lest this happy
escape may induce the belief that the cry Of danger in
the frst instance was false alarm, and people may
now be disposed to ridcule their idle apprehensons
In such an event the negro population will bo induE
ed 10 still greater license Of conduct: the rgor OF our
police will be still farther relaxed and our social sys
tenn will be more exposed than to the peril of
sudden serve revolt. In this way the saiutary les.
son Of these recent disturbances, will be perverted
to own insecurity; and we may have to suffer the
penalty Of foolish contempt of providental admo-
milton.
Although no actual outbreak has occurred among
the negro population OF Virginia, ye, nobody can de-
ny that they have very generally discovered an In.
subordinate impulse, and very generally entertained
fact of the gravest consequence. Shall we make no
provision agains, the danger to which We find our
ssves perpctually exposed All sensible men will
acknowledge the pertlnenoy Of this inquiry.
In every community on earth the security Of socie
ty is protected by adequate arrangements for the pre-
vention and suppression Of sediton revolution
But, in Virginia, long exemption from any sort Of
social violence has begot,en of security which
scorns either police or military protection. Few
people understand how utterly destitute this State is
of any organized OF defence against servile
revolt We have no permanent patrol; and III quite
imprsccable to provide efficient system on the
spur of q sudden alarm. Besides, that would be to
ock the stable after the horse is stolen for the end
and function OF patrol is to detec, the earliest insub
ordinate movement, and to prevent any combination
Of malcontent spirits. And not only are We thus e1.
posed to the haz ards Of unexpected outbreak but
We are absolutely destitute of the military force for
its suppression. The last report of the Adutant &C.
neral of the State discloses condition OF things
which should not be suffered to continue for another
moment. To be sure the Governors staff 10 large
enough for the Gensralssmo of Infinite army, but
the entire military forca OF the State might be garr'
.oued in country Westinghouse or paraded on
the playground Of an old field school. 1t ia ques.
tonabe il the abolition OF the old militia system was
a polite measure; 1t was certainly unwlse TO supply
no substitute and to leave the State without any sort
OF military establishment. But for the holiday resl
ment of the gallant Col. August aud an occasional
company In some Of the interior towns, the military
forces of Virginia woud not suffice FOR salute on
the fourth OF July. Ye: We have sn abundance OF
raw material, in arms aud ammunition, and in the
brave spirit Of our people.
This statement should coG-lnce everybody Of the
need Of some more satisfactory preparation against
possible outbreak among the slave population. Our de-
acieucies indicate the points 10 be pcOtected and we
should be careful to social safety by some
adequate agency Of prevention andsuppression The
people are very generally agreed that the Leglsla-
ture must establish some military system or other,
whether on the voluntary principle or after the good
old fashion Of fathers, who responded to the call
Of their country the day OF muster 10 shirt sleeves
and with walking cane. But less thought seems to
be bestowed upon what We regard the more impor
tant regulation, viz: the establishment of perua-
nsnt patrol in the country
The existing system, or rather noaystem of patrol,
Ia not only inadequate it's purpose, but Is liable to
nucu douse' NOW, tne pau "o PtoPooet oon'cih'
plates the organization of patrol force in each
gsteral district OF the State to be composed Of per-
SONS OF good character to be supported by levy
on their respective baw!cks, to be held to rigid
official responsibility, and to be constantly employed
in preserving order and quiet among the negro popu.
ation. Perhaps, by increasing the pay and numbers
Of the present constabulary the duties of patrol
might be imposed upon them The two systems
readily admit of such combination.
We submit thees suggestions with the view Of d.
recting the public mind to the subject II any crude
idea of our own may be developed into practica.
ole system by some more capable person, we shal!
be very happy present his plan to the public All
are agreed that the safety OF the community Is not
now sufficiently protectedi let every one contribute
what he can to supply the deficiency. Our columns
t,n nnrra,rnndtanta