Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-12-15
"0UR MILITIA.

To the Editor Of the Wig,
Believing in these perous times to the South when
the cloud OF disunion hoyers and lives and
property endangered that is highly important that
volunteer companies should be aud sus-
tanned and that the militia should be organized and
tabished upon n firm basis IL becomes to consider
well the subject and them adopt the plan best cacu-
lated to accomplish these ends The Legislature can aid
volunteer companies by exempting the members from
serving on uries acting surveyors Of roads aud
such other manner as II may deem proper. | do not
think It possible that present militia system can ever
succeed The hne imposed for nonperormance of military
duty only seyentytve cents mans dinner and feed
for his horse will cost cents and f he find
II as cheap to remain at home and attend his business
As to go to the drill, he will probably prefer the
former If We wish a well organized and thoroughly
drilled militia must impose such fines for non attend
ance as will make it object with man TO avoid
the fenaity-it matters what the penalty may be-
ten, or even an hundred dolars-or il he fail attend
and have sufficient for doing So the fine will nor
be enforced and If he have such excuse he should
be made to pay well for failing discharge his duty If
such penalties affixed will insure the attendance of
every person subject TO military duty then competent
men will be induced to accept offices that now go beg
ginG and we will have well drilled citizen solderv ad
equate to any emergency that may befall us
But have departed from the point to which wished
more particularly TO call the attention of the Legislature
Ihat Is the clause contained in the Governor Message
ettve TO the election rather the appointment Of
ohcers He recommends the appointment by the Exc
cuve Of all officers. from MaorGcncral TO Captain
While candidate for important post as that of Ma
jor or Bugadier General should be sufficiently known
to make suitable appointment it is utterly impossible
that he should have such knowledge of the citizens of
each county as will enable him fill the minor offices
satisfactorily According to this plan there must neces-
sy be very partial and unfair distribution of these Of
hces Look TO military schools however deserving
young man may be, If he have influential per
son TO present and advocate his claims before he Pow
ers that be, he has possible chance of an appoint
ment IN one of these schools So il will be IL ibis mower
Is vested in the Governor-favoritism will unayoidaby
control these appointments. few influential persons
or perhaps one desiruus of the preerment of some rs
tive or friend regardless of tho merits qualifications
OF the asprant, recommend him TO the Executive and
By their or his influence he receives the appointment
when perhaps he Is unacceptable pInetenhs IL not TO
every member of the corps he is appointed to command
Were you 10 administer dose of strychniue to each
member ottha corps, you would not eectualy ps
troy 1t. The success and prosperity of company De.
pend much upon free. nntrammelled choice Of com
manding otcer-the members certainly have the best
opportunity ot Judging the merits and qualification of ss
piTanfs for office and most unquesonably the right TO
select the man they prefer command aud lead them 10
battle. The power is now where il properly belongs
and trust that the Legislature will not alter the mode
nov prescribed for filling these Offices HRJ
CrNEIRILSn, Dec. lOth, 1859.