The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-01-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
IFoR TIE LANCASTER LEDGER.
No ".

1t may be that we are not SO deficient
in fire arms, aud ammunition AS is ap
pretended bu; it is now no time Ito de-
liberate in cold debate" We must accept
the issue presented to us ; and
''If circumstances lead US, we should find
Where truth is hid"
-"In the reproof OF chance
Lies the true proof of men,"
Suppose that, with all public and pri
vate fire arms, of every sort, brough. into
service, it should become manifest lha, a
considerable portion OF our people We're
without arms. Shall we remain in that
condition. with the invader on our soil,
and our domestic security dependent on
servile Population-liahie to sudden ag.
ita,ion, and miscbieyous delusion
TO be sure We may trust in the Justice
Of our cause, and put confidence in the
Providence OF God yet, no man nor peo
pie ever had a right to this ,rus, or con
fldence,rniess there we'e human co'opera'
ton, to the utmost Of human mea,s-
When we perform our part, faithfully,
wisely, stre1uously, promptly, then, and
only then, we are conscious o. the protec
lion OF that supernatural Power, which
the history Of our race, shews TO be ever
attendant on such performance.
1t is idle to hope for foreign aid, and
better for US in the end, that we should
not calculate upon i. We have profied
from a few chance arrivals Of war mate.
rials from abroad, at great expense, which
was i'll afforded; and at such risk, that
they seemed amos, accidental 1t is TO
be feared that our inexperience in the sci
ence Of war,has rendered even these sup,
plies less valuable than we flaltered our.
solves they would be or why have our
costly artillery been placed IN such posi-
tlons, as at Port Royal, and Lady's Is.
land, where they fell into the hands of
the enemy; notwithstanding the bravery
OF our troops, which has been rewarded
by the praise Of our authorities? We
cannot calculate on such resources, nor
have we time 10 wait for them. Here
too we need the authority of law, and
obligation Of duty-generaIizing the pre-
paration for danger, and the uniform arm
ing Of The people.
Does the South need to be reminded Of
the action which first brought our chief
magistrate into public notice Has il
forgotten that at the ever memorable bat
tle Of Buna Vista, the rihemen of Mis-
slssiPpi cut TO pieces the Mexican squad
fons, with their bowie knives The rife,
or musket, with a b,yonet affixed, when
analyzed, is a combination Of the rifle or
musket and the pike. 1t is a con,rivance,
by which tie two most formidable weap-
ons which can he nsed by single man,
are both placed, at once,in his hand vet
each can only be used to advantage at
the same time. Indeed, the most gallant
and effective charges with the bayone.
have been generally made without firing.
We'll disciplined men can march. and
have charged up 10 a line FIRE, received
the enemy's shot, and pierced through
and scattered their ranks Indeed it re
quires a very steady aim agains, charg-
ing force, to make fatal fire. II may
be also that in weapons Of composite
character, somethingis is taken from each
arm, so conbned. When men are
scarce, aud weapons plentiful, il is well to
combine the gun and the pks but when
the reverse is the case, and II becomes
rteessdry fCr every nan 10 he armed, is it