Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-07-14
volunteer. tor the war.

>
The proclamation of Gov Ishsm G. Harris.
| predicated upon a reqnisition from President
Jefferson Davis, calling for the services of
three Thousand men az infantry. and two COM
panies as cavalry, during the continuance oil
the war, may be found in another eoluma OF
this paper.
The subject is of sufficient importance to
justify few words in relation to IT, Inc con-
siderations urging the adoption OF longer
time OF enlistment than twelve months are
palpable and such as to commend themselves
10 the approval of every dispassionate reason
er. 1t is well-established fact that new le-
yies of raw recruits, when brought together
and organized into commands, without any
disciplined troops, with whom they may be
Incorporated in their organization can not be
rendered thoroughly effective for prou acted
struggle, without long discipline and careful
training. In other words, war is science
and an art, in which to attain the greatest
skill. much time. discipline aud study are an
sOiutely prerequisite. When il is asserted
that, for effectiveness. volunteer forces must
be Injured to war by habit and experience. no
intention is entertained to disparage their
chivalry, the great and patriotic services
such troops have rendered TO their country,
and will yet render when they meet the foe
On the contrary, some Of the most brilliant
victories recorded in the annals of history
have been achieved by the daring. iatrepiditv
and bravery of volunteer soldiers whose term
OF enlistment was one year or a shorter Pc
Rod Witness the battle fields of Monterey
and Buena Vista; not to mention others that
CLEAN like gems from the pages of history.
All aglow with the inspirations of patriotism,
and recently called from their homes, lit may
be humble log cabins) the plough handles
and the workshops, these noble defenders of
the Country have enshrined their namrs deep
in the heart of nations gratitude. Laurels
OF fadeless green they will continue 10 win
and wear. But it is no injustice 10 them, it is
no dimming the lustre of their honor. TO urge
the reliability, the effectiveness and the ALSO
lutte necessity. in these trying times of public
danger. of forces enlisted for the war, and
who will, should the struggle be long, become
veterans n discipline, and Injured to toll. ia
tigue and danger.
Another reason for such period of service
is the economy OF such troops, in comparison
with those enlisted for shorter time 1t liz
an incOntrovertible truth, that the most ex-
pensIve period of service to any gov
ernments the first year CT enlistment. At
no time should the question of economy
more earnestly engage the attention of our
authorizes. The issue is now made of free
dom or slavery. independence or subjugation,
liberty or death. No one can foretell with
certainty the duration of the contest. We
do not believe it will be of long continuance.
1t is the interest of both sections ii should
not be. But, as we have made up our minds
what we intend to attain, the length of the
war is more peculiarly question for the en-
envy. He Can shorten or iengthen it as he
may choose. Should the infuriated and ia
sane passions that control at the North aud
urge on the unholy conflict with us, continue
to bear sway, 1t may rage more than one
year. Hence, the prOprIety and wisdom Of
military policy, which combines economy
with the highest attainable efficiency.
This policy is demanded on another
ground: and that is the action of the enemy.
He has fixed the period of enlistment for
three years, or during the war. He calcu-
lates when our troops, who have been called
into the field for one year, shall be disbanded
and return to their homes, and new levies of
raw recruits shall be called out, to oppose
them with disciplined troops, and thus
achieve by policy a decided advantage in
this regard. Do not prudence and wise
forecast require that measures be taken to de-
feat this object of the enemy?
There is one remark proper for the volun-
teer, in personal sense Should the con-
flct continue, it may be, for who can know
the fortunes of war? that the whole availa-
BILE military strength of the State and of the
Confederate States will, as a matter of neces-
sity, have to he brought aud kept in the field.
If such contingency should occur, would
IL HOT Dc DetieT iOE Tue NUluDttST HtuStll t''
be organized permanently and for the war ?
Would it not be preferable for many reasons?
Certainly most of those who volunteer would
not o. choice exchange the officers, associa-
tions and ties, the growth of the trials, suffer-
ing-, and common dangers of campaign life,
for service with those who are perhaps I'M
known and untried. Strong are the links of
friendship forged on the battle field 1t is
true such might re enlist and retain their
former organization, but such result would
be quite predetermined.
IL is hoped the men of Tennessee will rally
to the call made upon them The voice of
their own chosen Government calls tham be-
meath the folds of its standard in a holy
war. Noble aud sacred, indeed, are the
causes that impel them to the ba,tl- lid
the defence and preservation of al that free
men hold dear: the defence of their homes,
their families, and their most sacred rights
the preservation of free government and cUu-
s'ilutional liberty Union s. Amerie4H.