Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-02-19
To THE CITIZENS OF MEMPHIS.
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~ VIZ -
PROPOSITION OF THE "sOUrHERE GUARDS"
In view OF the fact that the legislature Of
the State have refused to make appropriations
for arming and squipping a military force,
and placing it in a position commensurate
with The public safety and security,
Be II resoIusl, That the bylaw Of The com
panvr requiring az admission fee Of five dollars
Tor membership, be suspended, and that a
committee Of hree be appointed 20 receive
contributions from citizens Of Memphis, in
order to equip eighty members, ready for active
service.
Rssolpsd, That W. R. Hunt, C. Deloach and
Lieut.. B. W. L Holt, be appointed said com
mittee, with the understanding that the sums
subscribed shall not be used until the amount
required be collected. n the amount desig-
mated be not obtained, then the committee to
return to parties the sums respectively con
tributed.
RssoIusa, That the sum Of 81, 200 will be
sufficient for the purpose contemplated.
The above resolutions were adopted with
the purpose OF placing the company upon a
basis for Efficient active service. Organized a
little more than a year sincs-squipped at its
own expsnse-it has attained, upon a peace
footing, a tolsrabls proficiency in drill, and a
respectable display fer mere parade. Actu-
sted, however, BY motives which none will,
or, at least, ought to impugn, the members, If
seconded by the citizens, desire TO be Of some
service, should the public eXigency demand
them.
The legislature, in extra session, so amend
ed the charter Of the l54th Regiment as to
subject it to the order OF the mayor Of Mem
phis or the sheriff Of Shelby county, in case Of
riot, instruction, or other disturbance that
may require, in their opinion, the military
arm, but made no provision for equipping the
soldier il called upon. Tents, blankets, camp
utensils, clothiDg-in fact, all the equipments
requisite and necessary were denied, and the
volunteer required by law to perform duties
without being furnished the first essential
means for such service. Such an anomaly is
without parallel in the history Of legislation.
Governed by a determination, however. to
perform the duties OF soldiers, in the event Of
need, the SoUihsrn Guards make the proposition,
embraced in the above resolution, and pledge
themselves to a fuifilment Of its provisions, il
they can only be placed in a position that NAV
enable them to do so.
Il is hardly necessary to call public atten-
ton to the necessities OF an efficient armed
body in times like these. When States, North
and South, are resounding with WRrlike prepa-
~rations, when, to the most casual as well as
rejecting observer, wal seems imminent, the
fact is too patent to doubt that Tennessee, and
especially this community, is, and would be,
helpless, and at the mercy Of hostile contend
ing forces. Our city, as the most exposed and
attractive point for attack, and so easily ae-
cessible to hostile approach, should, certainly,
place her military upon a footing superior to
that Of 4 mere holiday display.
AZ the resolutions express, the objects Of the
is to compensate, by a faithful perform
anee Of duty, the acceptance Of their propo-
sition. Under ordinary circumstances, such
action would not have been taken, as the con-
panV have never suggested aid, and would not
in times Of quiet and public security. The
purpose, now, is to recruit the ranks with
patriotic, sble-bodied citizens, who are loyal
to the South, and who, in any exigency, viii,
as soldiers. faithfully serve the State.
The gentlemen appointed as the committee
have consented to act, and will report BY the
255h inst. Very respectfully,
J. HAMILTON,
Captain "~Southern Guards.D
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