American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-07-16
Militia Trainings, Volunteers, sc.

Having given our views somewhat
freely of late in opposition to Militia
Trainings, on account of their demon.
aliziOg tendency, we deem it not amiss
to "dciinc our position" more fully on
this subject; and we do this the more
readily just now, because there is no
news nor any thing else of absorbing
interest to Eli up the pHpcrs, ..0.
1t is not because Of the cLerishing
oil Quaker principles, nor because of
an anti-military training, that we occu-
Ply our present position. Far from it.
During our apprenticeship, which ran
through the last war with Great Brit
ain, we were accustomed, after aiding
to arrange columns Of type during the
day, to fall into the ranks Of the youth
on the village green, of evenings, and
periodically learn the art of war;
Right diligently were the young men
and boys of Doylestown drilled and in
structcd by Judge WATTS, an cstimablc
Deacon and Prothonotary residing in
that village. When the militia were
drafted into service, to keep the Brit
lsh from attacking Philadelphia, we
performed q march Of n dozen miles on
foot to soc them safe at the rendezvous.
And We so far caught the spirit of the
times, that we should have been enrol
led in volunteer Rifle Company which
was organized about that time, and i'm
mediately called into service, but for
our indentures. Upon tho return of
that Company from the tented field,
and our attaining the age of eighteen,
we joined it, and took special interest
IN the frequent and exciting drllings
Of the corps. They donned green
hunting .frock, fringed with red, and
drilled after the Indian manner. In o
sham fight they were here and there
and every where. Sometimes behind
tence-ncxt creeping along a ravine;
and anon every man behind his tree
hrIng, scattering, and rallying, as in a
/ moment. 1t was an effective arm of
the service and the British army new.
er would have reached Washington,
and burned The Capitol, if there had
| been few hundred brave and disciple
ned ritlemen to dispute their march,
Subsequently we were honorcd (?) with
commission of Lieutenant Of Militia,
but threw it up in disgust because our
hickory quaker privatcs, although they
would turn out to save their fines, re.
( fused to turn in to the ranks, and play
soldier according to the drill book. -
! We have then, as you perceive, seen
some service, and know whereof wo af-
firm. We have seen militia trainings,
in city anu country, and are constran-
ed to pronounce them an unmitigated
humbug "a scene of drunken reverv,
profanity and strife ;-whcre the con.
grcgated youth learn much that is of
evil tendency, but nothing good and
ennobling. But VIC must have citizen
soldiers, to "rcpel invasion, suppress
insurrection," &C., and where will we
find them? Our answer is, Ererywhere
as occasion calls for them. Our Young
men are brave by nature, and marks
men by habit; and they would learn
more of true discipline and military
tactics in one week in camp, than in
score of years Of ordinary musters.-
Keep nm enrolment, if you see proper,
Of able-bodicd mon between 10 and 45,
and let them pay SO or 100 cents a
year as an exemption from mastering;
and if you must have ToluntSer Corps
for whatever purpose, the money paid
by excmpts will uniform, equip, and
probably pay all who desire, or
who may be needed, to assume " the
pomp and circumstance of glorious
war;"
Ehc WOrEBOnS.
John M Rprnhciscl Dnloooto from