Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-24
rae MILITIA,


10 hs Edi6f Of the Wig.
Some of your correspondents seem 10 be very nerv-
Gus about the passage Of the Militia Bill 0oe would
suppose if be were not better informed, that these
gentlemen actually fear being called into the field
themsslvss You can't imagine the number OF sdvo-
Gates that were secured for the present bill when it
amended so 80 to include those only under So Aud a
host of others would be secured il it affect only
those under 49, 1t may not be generally known that
there are more persons now in this State between As
and 80 than can be found in any other SEMI
The Confederate conscript law worked like magic. /
know several who only SO in 1860, who are now
46 years of age and rapidly advancing But peo-
pie are very peculiar Before the war, those on the
border were the last to to which they
believed would reeut in conflict Then, those South
of James river we're anxious TO show their patriotism
and offer their services TO do all :he fighting. Unmo-
Tested by the enemy in persons and property
having full opportunity Of maturing and executing
their ans without fear of moestaton, they should be
the first to urge thorough organization OF our arms
bearing population to march to the border to aid IN de
fence of Tie little mich has 6GeH ff their less fortunate
brethren Is this the case
If we would learn lesson from the last Pennsylvania
campaign it would teach how much could be effected
by a locl organization If our people had been well
organic I'd ct the time Stoneman and his whole CON-
maud could easily have been captured, II they were
now no such raid could again take place with impuny.
But the greatest good might result from such organ
izl;ion by enabling General Lee collect all his regu-
lars upon the OF battle, aud have several thousand
Stale troops besides to guard trains prisoners &C. Nor
would be necessary for them to be out more Than ten
or fifteen days at time.
But it is objected, that too much time would be
wasted in dtilhng once q week." l am sure if one
fourth the time which Is spent by these industrious peo-
pie at post offices and railroad depOs hunting for news,
were consumed in drilling, the army for local defence
would to-day be better drilled than any regiment in the
regular service.
But the loss of time would materially lessen the
productions Of the State" What will the productions
be worth if the enemy us And il the tide OF
invasion should continue roll inward is it not palpa
BILE that much will be lost by entirely deserted
iarms than can possibly be, by few hours or days
absence? "But our prospects are 30 bright, 1t were
folly to begin such organization now" Our pos
poets were very bright before the commenced
Then England and France were ready 10 embrace us,
and turn with arms men and ships, because Coz
ton was King and he had so ordained. Our prospects
were very bright alter the battle OF Manassas, ana ali
that was needed for correct report OF il 70 be
made 10 eur ioIe:gn allies, order indie
pendeuce and Nationality. DsSzngly bright were our
prospects when great Lee rolled back Mcclellan
rom Richmond Pope from Culpeper, and panteo
ne soutnsrn standard upon the coil OF Maryland. Lot
Us lraru WISDOM from past AMI De caugnt no more
v, uc iase lgEts Ia vi peace prepare Tor
= lue pIdt o. god 10 sune, let US prepare tor Dad
AarK 81 Ii hi snty, stunning blow be not sGru,k
our enemies Deture December nex Lbey will bring iu
Tue hello next sprpg largest amy tney nave
uAu. Let ell DC prepared tor Worst, AID II goOC
zines suoulI come they al DO better prepared 10 C. 10
.nsm. l. b. A