Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-10-03
The militia.

1ue OERhulLhuOu OF Ine militia OF the
city is progressing very rapidly. The
commissioned aud uon-commised Off
GERS of the 4th and 9Th regiments are
being drilled nightly by competent drill
officers, and a great deal of interest is
manifested. We understand that there is
the same activity among the militia in ad.
Joining counties, and the Pan Handle, at
least, will soon be on even footipE.-
The proposition to arm the militia meets
with gen raj favor as nothing can now be
plsjner than the necessity for it.
II has been well remarked by valuable
exchange, the Providence Journal, that tho
decline of the militia was great cause of
weakness in some of the States, and those
states in which the militia had been held
III most honor, responded earliest aud most
efficiently to the call made upon them for
the common defence. 1t is a reprosch
and danger to a free people to be un-
accustomed to the use of arms. Form
nate circumstances of our own position
and of the occupation of foreign powers
with their own affairs and with each other,
have saved US from the stern but healthfuI
necessity Of military preparation. Our iu-
ternal difficulties, aud the growing power
of ambitious dynastic governments, have
brought the danger and the necessity near
to us, and 1t is now our first duty to put
the whole country on a war footing. When
this is once accomplished, it can be kept
up at a moderate expense, and with COM
parattvely little trouble, as it is in Switz.
erland, where every man is soldier and q
marksman,an where the ordinary pursuits
aud employments of life are scarcely inter-
rupted thereby. It is this which makes
Switzerland secure at home and respected
abroad. 1t gives hardness and manliness
to her population, aud confidence in them
selves and in their government. Sur
rounded with hostile aud grasping powers,
which look upon her territory with longing
eyes, some of them with hereditary recol-
lections of the bloody contests in which it
was torn piecemeal from their own ancient
possessions, Switzerland has maintained
the integrity of her boundaries, and with
the 'eapability Of putting 300, 900 diseiplin-
cd men in the field. yet, not exhausted by
maintaining them, her armybeipg producers
not consumers, she commands the respect
which the world gives to nothing bat power.
TherehasalWays been With as just and rea-
sonable jealousy of a great standing army.
which, however composed at first, is liable
to be, in the hands of ambitious men, an
Instrument for the destruction of public
liberty. This jealousy could. not exist
against a volunteer force. ofieered by the
States, and constantly returning to the peO-
pie from whom it sprung. 1t would be the
most economical mode of maintaining a
force, a constant protection at home and
constant menace to the rebels. 1t would
be ready on any great emergency to meet a
sudden incursion or to check sudden
hostile movement. We trust that meas.
grs of such vital Importance may not be
delayed.
tbs soundinEs for new Atlantic Tele-
graph have just been made. Some of them
extend to a depth of 1900 fathoms. The
British steamer Poreupius was the one en-
PlOyed. The reports of the officers will be
first considered by the Lords of the Admi-
rally, who will afterwards communicate
with the Atlantic Telegraph Company
The intention is io,y tl,.7 10. ~.