The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-06-14
Volunteer Military Companies.


volunteer Military Companies.
Il will be seen by notice, that a new
military company, under the name Of "Ev-
snsville City Guards" has been formed
We are glad to see these evidences Of the
revival of the martial spirit of olden times,
which Of late seems to have become almost
extinct. In this and many of the Western
States, the militia organization has been
abandoned by the State There is scarce
an organized military force anywhere, on
which the civil authority could appeal in an
emergency for support; and in the increas-
ing spirit of lawlessness and disregard of
civil authority, every community is liable to
events in the sudden outbursts of mob viO-
lence, wherein the civil magistrate, to sus-
tain his authority and maintain the law,
must appeal to the aid of the citizen SOL
diery. The necessity and the importance
Of such support was illustrated few days
ago, in st. Louis, where the Mayor called
out two volunteer companies to protect the
prison against an excited multitude of TO-
600, bent on lynching murderer before
the law could perform its office. The SIM
pie appearance of a hundred resolute men
in military array, at once quieted the out
break, and sustained the magistrate, and
guaranteed the triumph of the law. Not
only was the life of tho prisoner saved, and
a foul crime prevented, but the character Of
the city was saved from deep blemish and
the majesty of the law vindicated and pub
lib respect secured for it, for all time to come.
These consequences-ofa as little moment as
they may appear in the current events of
the day-may be of actually more value to
the country, than the trophies of q brilliant
victory over an external foe. The blood
less victories that country achieves over
its own bad passions are often the most
valuable and glorious.
In all our cities, to which the vicious and
lawless now congregate for the freest indul-
gence Of their criminal propensities, the po-
lice are daily becoming more incapable OF
protecting the property and rights OF citi-
zens, and arresting the yiolators of the law
by the turbulent when combined in num-
bers. We do not think there is much dan
ger that our Magistrates will very soon
need military aid to execute the law here,
but no one can predict how soon such an
occasion may occur. The fact of the exist
ence of such force may of itself have an
influence to save any occasion for the use OF
it. These efforts to form well disciplined
corps of citizen soldiers ought, in our opin-
ion, to be encouraged in all our large towns,
as q measure of public safety.
If these companies will not indulge in toe
many frolics and excursions, which lead to
drinking and dissipation, their influence:
may be turned to good. They serve a:
bonds of social union, and nurseries of pub
lie spirit among the young men, who com
bine to give their time and money to serve
the public. The drill is an excellent mus
cular exercise and, il properly conducted
developes the physical powers and improves
the whole bearing Of the man. IL is sait
the Americans never learn to walk; th,
march and evolutions of the drill, if made
thorough, are the best schools to cure on
slovenly gait. A West Point cadet may b.
distinguished anywhere, in any crowd o
citizens, by his port and manly step; ever,
young man can acquire a free and nobl
carriage and tread, in month, under tn
drill of a good sergeant. The new Compa
ny has several members who have been il
regular service, and are ex cellent drill Off
GERS. We hope to see It's ranks well filled
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