Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-03
Senper Paratus.

There is a bill pending in the lower house
of the Legislature of this State. which is in
tended somewhat as substitute for the alb
surd old muster system wisely repealed by
the last session OF the General Assembly The
object seems to be good one, and the pro-
visions of the bill. to prevent abuse of its
privileges, are sufficient and explicit. In a
few words, the bill proposes that every six
months the commissioned officers of any mill
tary volunteer company of this State, shall
be allowed TO file with the Executive an aft
davit that their company consists of not less
than siXty-fve men, well drilled by compe-
tent officers, armed, equipped and uniformed
at their own charge--that they have paraded
preceding six months and that during that
time have held themselves at the command
OF the Governor for service in the State;
Their on filing such affidavit said company
shall receive aid from the State in The sum of
- dollar.
We readily agree that proposition for in
Introducing military force into the power
of the Executive is likely 10 be misunder-
stood and TO he misrepresented; many will
think that it will be time enough to encourage
soldery when crisis shall arise-somc. per
hapS. that the mere fact OF having armed and
drilled bands of soldiers would be provoca-
tive of tumults. This latter is as conclusive
an argument as would be opposition to fire
companies. on the ground that the organza
ton OF such companies with engines. hose
reels. &c, would be an inducement to incen-
diarism.
Some will object on the score of expense
We will suppose that with such aid promised
ten companies would be formed in different
portions of the Siate--these companies will
IN all probability average one hundred men
let the Stale aid he fixed at 81 900 TO each
company. There will he then an annual ex
pcnse on The Treasury of ten thousand dol
lars securing a body of well-drillcd men.
numbering 1000, which ifraised and equipped
by and at the expense OF the government.
and held to service for one year would cost n
sum not less than SI5O.OOO.
In case of any disturbance, what a salts
faction it would be te the people that there
was body of well disciplined soldiers at
work IN their shops, fields, foundries and
stores who could be called together in an
hour and concentrated at the point where the
trouble existed, in day. We do not appre-
bend any difficulty now, nor foresee any very
clearly in the future, but wise man does
not hesitate TO put lightning rod to his
house because the sky is clear aud no cloud
in sight.
Before asking for aid the Bill requires large
sacrifices of those applying, both of time aud
OF money. A writer in the Union and Ameri-
can fixes The outlay of uniformiuga band of
65 men at about s400O-little enough es-
pecialiy for such equipments as our citizen
soldiers are accustomed to adopt-again he
states that the usual expense of such a COM
pany is annually about 5000. From expert
ence the writer of this knows that this is too
small sum, that TO rent a room suitable for
drilling and 10 procure military music Of the
plainest aud most unpretending kind would
exhaust a sum larger than that indicated.
Let our worthy representatives look well
into this matter--let them act with liber-
atty becoming a great State-a State known
ns the volunteer State-Let them A. the
bounty a. 81 600 per company and limit the
number OF companies to ten II they will, dis |
tributed through the different sections Of the |
State-and then for the sum OF $40 900 (pre-
cisely the amount the State secures to each !
mile OF railroad in her borders. and to some of |
them withoutl the State will prepare in lime |
OF peace for war; aud will rest tranquil
that she has arms TO defend her /
which are not only willing but also under /
stand how TO do it, fEs l ~
IaSPFR