Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-13
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER Is, 1880.
military movements in the south.

military Movements in the South.
The BELL men are very loud in their denuncia-
tisns Of the disunion tendencies Of the Democracy
To prove their charges their press and orators have
again and again referred to the action of the last
Alabama Legislature in appropriating 100000 to
the purchase of munitions of war and for perfect
ing the military system Of that State bill voted
for by some of the most prominent Opposition men
in that State The Nashville Banner on the 2lst Of
November last, had leading editorial under the cap
ton We have given above, which editorial we pub
lshin full Let those who prating so loudly
about the Legislature of Alabama putting that
State on a war footing read the following from the
Bonner:
The Richmond Whiq in view of the disturbed
state of affairs in the country and the prevalence
of fanaticism in the North suggests that Virginia
be placed on a war footing. We make the following
extract from the Whig's leading article Of last
Thursday:
ave say in all camness, without fear anger that the times
scb that it is the duty OF virgins 70 place herself a. tie
earliest footing May God avert the fight which
must We know not may but this
right well, that every drop of blood in true sOuhrcns
veins be shed willingly, gladly, in defense Of wivea
our daughters children, honor And whOsever causes
shat blood be she'd viii be made to pay its full prsebe that
price great or small"
Whether the forebodings of the Whiq shall be
realized or not there is wisdom in its suggestion.
The surest way TO preserve the peace is to be pre-
pared for war, and think it the duty of every
State in the South to encourage the organization of
military companies There should be at least one
well disciplined company, thoroughly armed and
equipped in every county in the South. The adopt
ing os such policy can do no harm, if it does no
good.
tended by good results. Il would at least prevent
all efforts at exciting instruction among the slaves,
which would be one greatpoint gained even if there
should never be any occasion to call the military
force thus organised into active service to repel
more formidable aggressions from the North
The necessity of precautionary measures of some
kind becomes more pressing every day. The spirit
of fanaticsm stimulated by the course Of Northern
papers, in regard to the Harpers Ferry expedition
of John Brown seems bent on keeping up the agita-
ton of the slavery question and there is telling
how soon the Republicans will attempt to carry
their issctional views into practical operation.
Whenever such attempt is made the South must
be prepared to meet the North by prompt and de-
cisive action A well armed and disciplined militia
~ force will be indispensable in such emergen-
cy and the Legislatures of the Southern States
should give this matter their serious attention.
Southern politicians have talked so much about
the honor of the South equality of the South,"
rights of the South" that our Northern brethren
have learned TO look upon all these demonstrations
mere brag and buster. They will not be convinced
that the Southern peot lie in earnest until they
leave off talking and proceed to action. We de-
cidedly in favor of giving them the evidence they
require to satisfy them that we are in earnest
Every State should have military force of some
kind. No government is safe unless it is always,
and at all times, prepared for The spirit of
our institutions is opposed to standing armies. The
only means therefore of providing for threatening
emergencies is the organization of the militia. This
matter has fallen into great neglect in the South
within the last few years. 1t has been so long since
there was an old fashioned militia drill that many
have forgotten that there ever was any thing ike
military organization in the South. Such indifer
snce in important matter is to be regretted, and
we hope something will be done to rouse the old
spirit among the people. A thorough military or
ganization is always essential, whether considered
in reference to foreign invasions to domestic sec
tiOnal aggressions and servile instructions. Fol-
these reasons we urge this matter upon the consid
Grafton of the Southern State Legislatures
We are glad to have it in our power to state thai
the Tennessee Legislature has taken this matter into
serious consideration Two bills have been offered
by our joint representative, Mr.. Cheatham, anC
the other by Mr.. McClelland, both having in view
the enrolment of the militia into armed, equipped
and disciplined companies. We have no doubt thest
bills will be adopted by our Legislature, and We
hope to see the example of Tennessee imita ted by
the other Southern States