Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-24
The Militia.

We have urged the immediate and thorough re-
organization of the Militia of this State, under the
late law passed by the Legislature. We have done
so, first because it is the laD and we are a law
abiding citizen secondly, because the crisis demands
that every man in the State, not yet in the army,
should put himself in the best position to drill and
get ready to defend the State and the South. Third
ly, because it would greatly promote the spirit OF
volunteering for the army.
But we must not be understood as favoring the
idea of calling out the entire militia to fight the bat
ties of the South. A time may arrive when it may
be necessary, but the necessity must be mperious.
We approve of the plan Virginia adopted in organ
izing her militia and requiring erery man to drill
one day in each week, but we wholly disapprove Of
Gov. Letchers course in calling out the militia in
Virginia The Virginia papers have very generally
condemned it, and we think they are right
Every man between the ages Of eighteen and for
ty-fve years, is not prepared to fight There may
be physical mental and other obstacles in the way
of their fighting. Many men would be a hindrance,
disadvantage to the army, while they might do
something profitable at home. Besides, some boys
at seventeen and men at fifty or sixty would make
better soldiers than many who are required to do
militia duty.
We believe that this war may and ought, if it
can, be fought out by Volunteers. We doubt iSthe
world can produce better soldiers if so good as the
Southern Volunteers now in the field Drafts made
from the militia would not be equal to them by
half nor can it be expected that regulars or State
or Confederate troops ordinarily can be equal to
them. Our North Carolina Volunteers, and the
same may be said Of our present State Troops, are
taken from the best portion of our citizens. Many
of them the most substantial reliable men, or the
sons such men in the State.
An army composed Of such men as we are sure
will volunteer from this State, unless they are great
ly discouraged by Encouragement and partizan
trickery will be amply sufficient we believe, for all
the purposes of the war. The organization of the
militia will leave enough behind to manage the crops
carry the necessary business Of the country and
to provide for the army. Let then, the militia be
organized, and at the same time let Volunteer COM
panes be raised; let them drill uniform and prepare
at home, and wait for the call of the State.
PowDER-North-C Carolina will need powder and
good deal of it, for the war. We learn that a
company has been formed for the erection of pow
'der-ml near Charlotte This will not be sufficient
lot our Puspese. Sulphur, a large ingredient in
we Manufacture Of POWDER can only be obtained in
'ns STATE from the metallic ores, copper, &C. The
process so Obtaining in sufficient quantities is
Slow sod expsnsivs bns esr necessities demand it.
NO one Ing hs Stats undessAnds better II 50 well,
now to make NJ psressssy arrangements for its
manufacture thsp ~ 1EnnosA nd il strikes us
'na' prudence woula otate a ~ sAshositiss the
proprlety Of directi6s ~ sitsitqn ny 70 that
matter lssss5. ~