Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-07

Let no one suspect from our belligerent caption
that we are about to pepetrate blood and thunder
article-tO e. -.5
~ cry havoc and let slip the dogs Of war" q
for we intend to do no such thing, but dsclalming
any pretension to the right of declaring war, to
make few suggestions as to the proper mode to be
prepared for it whenever it unhappily comes.
No matter how ready the people of the South are
to offer up their blood and their lives in defence OF
their rights and property, it cannot be denied that
they are ut this time unprepared to 60 into strug
gle which at any time may be forced upon thell
This want of preparation is attributable to the I'M
wise and suicidal policy of depending upon the
instance thst article upon which, in war, every thing
else depends gunpowder. There is not one powder
mill in the Union, South of Delaware nor Is there
a mandatory of arms, foundry for cannon,
South of Harpers Ferry. This is rather bad state
of affairs in view of the "shadOw" which com
ing events cast before Them" and it is one which
should receive the earnest attention OF tile South
WHY should not powder be manufactured IN the
South, as we'll as in the North? The North has to
import saltpetre and charcoal, the main ingredients
of powder while there large saltpetre mines IN
Virginia, Kentucky, and we have no doubt in other
saveholding States and wood enough to supply
charcoal for the wants of the world Besides being
an article essential to our defense the manufacture
of powder is money making business. We hear
of the blowing up of Northern powder mills almost
constantly, hut yet the owners 60 to work. repair
damages and set their works going again, thus
showing that with all its risks the manufacture OF
the article is profitable.
Why, too should the South not manufacture arms!
We have all the metals necessary for making them
and can readily command the mechanical skill ne
ccssary to their construction. These things ought
to he looked to, and our State Legislatures could
materially aid in getting these manufactures so es-
sental to the South under way, by judicious boun!
ties and other friendly legislation. But what will
be the use of powder, and ball, and arms, without
efficient men easily to be got together to use them
And this brings to our attention the militia sys-
TEN, and particularly that of our own State, which
is radically defective.
There should be in each county of the State at
least one efficient and well equipped volunteer COM
pany, Ohe more cavalry the bctterO and the militia
should not only be enrolled and ocercd, but regu-
larly mustered at least twice year, once in the
Spring and once in the Fall.
We havc two excellent military academies in North
Carolina, which are Hourishing now, and bid fair to
flourish yet more vigorously. Let them De warmly
encouraged, and others will spring up, as there is
room enough for mure. These institutions will be
excellent nurseries for officers for volunteer com.
panies, and for the militia in time of service.
Lastly there should be at least three large arsen-
ais magazines of powder bail and arms, located
one in the east, one in the centre and one in the
west of this State.
We throw out these suggestions for what they
are worth. Some people may not think them worth
any thing, but with such we take issue. We are
by no means cnamoured of our peculiar plan, and
doubt not better one may be suggested, and if We
succeed in elicting better one our object will be
attained. One thing is certain--any other plan
would be better than the present radically defective
one.-Raleigh Register.