Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-08-16

BSP The population of the /" United Kingdom OIL
Great Britain and Ireland cannot be less than thirty
millions The population of France proper-the France
from which the military power Of the Empire is sup
piled can hardly exceed thirty-fve milons-there are
some few more IN Algeria but that colony rather serves
as school than source of supply 1t has cost good
deal more than it has come to.
Why is it then, with population hardly inferior to
that of France in numbers, and certainly superior in
physical development of bone and muscle there is in the
dominions of Queen Victoria such chronic dread Of
French invasion? Such jealousy of French military
power? There can be only one reason for it. The
English people are unarmed and unframed The En-
gSh aristocracy and Weather classes are jealous of
efficient militia volunteer system. They unwi
ling to arm the people They willing enough to
draw taxes from Ireland--wiing enough to enlist SOL
ders there but they will not authorize the formation OF
volunteer companies in Ireland Issue arms to them
1t is evident that the military weakness of England
does not arise from want of population for, in that re-
spect she is hardly inferior to the great military mon
arches of France and Austria 1t does not arise from
want of and resources for there again she is not
only not inferior to any of her rivals but she possesses
wealth and credit superior to any or all OF them Her
weakness military power arises from the dlstrust OF
the people which is entertained by the governing class
es. The army is wholly hireing and mercenary. 1t is
neither called into existence by decree for the public
safety, by enthusiasm for the public good-t is not
sought honorable employment, save in its higher
grades for from the ranks there promotion There
fore it is that it cannot be sweled to meet emergen
cy-that it has expansive power no adaptlblllty.-
That it is found generally faithful enough but not ready
nor intelligent, in presence of an enemy-not at first
certainly but it is the most reliable military force in
the world when called upon to act against its own peo
pe for the soldiers separated in feeling from the
people British soldiers would never dream OF frater
nizing with the people.
The strength and the weakness of the British govern
ment have had their origin in the causes-a the
separation of the governed from the governing classes
of civil life from military life, of The army from the PEG
pie The people are not dangerous to the governing
classes yet are they strong as they ought to be
against foreign aggression The army is certain pro
econ against the pOpulace,whether it will be iounc
equally efficient when called upon to afford protection It
the people against invasion, remains to be seen.
The recent rifle movement, sporadic as it is, begins
already to be regarded with jealousy by the mobile
lords" 1t puts too much substantial power in the hands
of the people, 1t is confined to Great Britain. After
six hundred years experience of the blessings of Brit
sh government, the Irish people are not yet recon
ciled enough to be trusted with their Defence
They might defend themselves against their British pro
tectors.