The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-11

ing millions OF money, composed Of leves
and conscripts,-persons forced to perform
military duty, and serve n country where
their feelings and affections are not enlisted.
In this Confederacy the case is different
We rely upon the patriotism of our citizen,
and upon our citizen soldiery, 20 aid and
assist the civil authorities in maintaining
the supremacy Of the law. Although rely
ing upon this principle which ought to
govern every well disposed citizen, still
there has occurred in some of the Northern
States outbursts Of the populace, which
seemed for the moment 10 be upon the eve
of turning everything that pertains to law
and order, into anarchy and confusion. Yet,
in every instance where the military have
been called in 10 aid and assist the civil
authorizes, the supremacy of the law has
been maintained aud peace restored.
In the Southern States, it is tue that We
have not such mixed race as they have ut
the North, yet we have race of people
under our management and control, who
/ if left alone under their present benign sys-
TEN Of treatment, would be an obcdicnt
and loyal people but they are exposed TO
the tamprrings Of lawlrss and abandoned
wre,ches, who neither fear God nor respect
the rights Of their fellow man. Such men
have been in our midst, and past experience
teaches that it is wise to be prepared to
meet all emergencies. and hence the neces-
sity Of we'll regulated military service
Indeed, the citizen sol,!iery in Republican
Government forms the only bulwarks Of
the peace and happiness of our people. This
prucpIe has always been recognized in this
country, and especially in South Carolina
Your Committee are satisfied that the
present military organization OF the State
into Divisions, Briga'lcs, Regiments, Battal
ions and Companies. is wise and proper.
No system, SO perfect in every arm of the
service rs the present one, could Le devised
or planned, and therefore it should not he
hastily abandoned. At the same time.
your Committee are Of the opinion. tha, the
time has come when the practical operatin,s
of the system should be examined by com
petent persons; whose duty it should he to
See whether it could not te so mudifird as
TO relieve it of its onerous burdens, and
adapt il to the wants and condition Of our
| people. Your Committee are satisfied that
the present onerous feature Of the system
could be got rid off, by allowing the citizen
The privilege of either doing military .nty
or paying small Communication in money.
That instead Of the present Militia duty, as
required by law. we establish Volunteer
System. In time of peace there is not that
demand for the rigorous exac,ions of mill
tary duty, from each citizen. as would be re
4uired when threatened by an invasion or
insurrectlon.
From past experience your Committee
are satisfied, that ID men can be better re.
lied on, in an emergency, than the Volnn-
teers of our State. They should be encour
aged all over the State, in Infantry, Artillery
or Cavalry. They will form the neuceus,
around which the Militia Of the Stale can
rally and the money that would be rails
ed by commutaton should be given 10 the
Volunteer organizations, and in this way
many men would be induced to Join the
Volunteer service, and in short time we
would see Volunteer Companies, BattaIions
and Regiments, springipg up all over the
State.
The Police of our State, which is mafo
entirely dependant in the country upon the
present Military organization, would not be
disturbed by the proposed change. The
Militia Of the State would be enrolled as
they are now, and the Volunteers of the
country would come under this enrolment
for patrol duty. The City and Town Vol
unteers would remain, as they are now.
under the municipal authority of the City
and Town in which they live.
Your Committee, therefore, in view of the
facts before them, recommend that the Res.
olutions from the House. asking for the ap-
poiDtment of Military Commission, to
take into consideration the condition of the
Military service, be concurred in by the
Senate.
Respectfully submitted.
J. FOSTER MARSHALL,
Chairman.