Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-10-14

.1ne seeming ulsIaVor VIII Hnicn OUT Wt
litia system is regarded throughout the State
seems to be gaining ground. First the op
position was confined to individual express
sions Of opinion, coming. from editors ei
newspapers, numerous correspondents, and
in two Instances that we remelhter-one oc
curing in SUMTER the other in Wi.snsboro
the system was denounced by command
Ing officers before their regiments. EATER
ly there has been manifested something like
concerted action and opposition. One of the
Beat Companies in Fairfield passed -resolu'
tions, which were published ir the Register;
pronouncing the system useless and oppres.
sive, and calling for reform. Similar. reso
lutians have likewise been adopted bya Beat
eompany in York, and we doubt not bu.
that if the proposition was generally submit.
ted, ltwo-thirds of the Beat companies in the
State would endorse the move made by the
Fairfield and York companies. Under the
continued and increasing pressure of public
opinion, the Legislature, h would seem, viii
eventually be forced to act, and institute the
reform so loudly called for and demanded by
the sovereign authorities. - -
nWe'shave always considered the militia
system in this State one of the veriea hum;
bugs,p the day.. and, when the people see,
as they are now beginning to do, that it is a
humbug, they wilIthen regard it in the light
of an OPPRESSION, and whom SO felt, a free
people will not be slow in making known
their voice and determination to those who
make laws for them. As long as they are
quieted with. the idea that they are doing the
State service and performing an actual duty,
which every good citizen owes to his coun:
try in consideration of the protection which
the laws of that country afford him, they
will eheerfully perform it, however onerous
or burthensome it may be to them. But
when they are convinced that the State or
country derives no benefit and in no proba-
bic contingency could derive any benefit
from duties that are tax both upon their
inclinatiops aud their time, the obligation
falls to the ground and they will speak out
for reform. -.
Men are called out from year to year, are
mustered in the Beat companies and at the
reviews, and when at length they are exempt
from age, they are no more competent to
perform military service, practically, than
the raw recruit who never mustered day in
his life. In fact is less 90 according to the
opinions of some, for in being drilled for
regular, service, he must uplearn that which
his mpagre training has taught him imper-
fectly. There is, comparatively, very few
members of Beat company who ever man.
ifest any sort. of desire to learn anything
about military matters, for the reason that
they can soc no we'll defined object before
them. They are told that it is all import.
ant to- keep up the system, and the mass of
the people entertain sort Of vague notion
that it is important, but reduce the question
down to a practical issue, and they are not
able to distinguish what this importance CON.
sists in. The great secret is, that it was the
custom of our forefathels-was considered
indispensable in those days when war and
military renown was the great focus around
which centered the worlds ambition, and
though this feeling has been revolution
lied, and science, literature and statesman.
ship now engage the aspirations of men, yet
from habit, which clings to us after the mo,
tive and spirit is gone, the system of an old
er age is continued. Public opinion, how
ever, under the influence of the progress of
the age, is beginning to be aroused, and We
doubt not but that in few years the system
will be abolished or else material modifca-
cation of it be effected.
We believe that some sort of an organiza.
tion should be preserved, in order that the
available strength of the country could at
any time be ascertained, and the patrol sys.
tenn, which is connected with the other, it is
of importance to keep up. 1t might not be
amiss too, to encourage the organization of
volunteer companies; usually are connected
xuith thooo 1oupo ,nop 1pho have , xs.I. e.