Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-29
The GeorEia Volunteers.

Editor Morning NelcS: Within the past
few weeks much wholesome agitation has
been developed throughout the State con-
corning the citizen soldiery of our Com
mOnwealth. Effective work has also been
done to bring about unity of action and
to develop the proper esprit dH corps by
the establishment of military posts, COM
prising within themselves the various
companies, battaliOns and regiments con.
sututing the volunteer forces of Georgia
as at present organized.
This movement, as is well known to
your readers. originated in this city,
which in military matters has always
taken the lie ad in Georgia.
Post No. Georgia Volunteers is to-day
firmly established, and has come TO stay.
Ii has given the needed impetus to SINH
lar posts in various sections of the state,
and IN a short while the necessary unity
Of action will have beea fully attained.
The necessity of a thoroughly equipped
and organized volunteer military force IN
any free State is too obvious TO require
further explanation or argument. Indeed
this branch of the subject has of late been
very effectively treated i'm the leading
journals of Georgia,
1t is the present purpose OF the writer,
himself an humble member Of the class
presently TO be referred to, TO allude to
another phase Of the subject in question.
isis we'll known the membership of
our volunteer companies is made up OF
different grades or classes. Among them
figure quite extensively those generally
known as 1.pay members" These men,
while not active participants in the gen.
eral work of the military, constitute an
important element in all commands to
which they belong. They are vested
with many privileges enjoyed
by their active comrades. Ihey
are simply exempt from active
military service. IL Is optional, however,
with pay members to render such active
service. As rule the gentlemen eOnsti-
hIting this special element in our volun-
teer organizations have the good and
welfare of the military at heart, and,
while the particular commands TO which
they belong may receive their more mark
cd attention and assistance, yet 1t is safe
to assume that in the present we'll di-
rected movement they Will lend valuable
aid to the general cause.
A recent writer in the Columbus En-
QHirer-Sun, speaking Of the purpose of the
movement, thus summed up its general
scope: SIT is to promote military eff
cheney create a bond Of union between
the several component commands, pre-
serve the peace anu kOOO OEueE OF the
Commonwealth and encourage good fell
IOwship among individual members Of the
organizatiOn.'' This is, in fact, a correct
summary of the objects as embodied in
the constitution of Georgia Volunteers,
| Post No. 4.
Towards that desirable end all military
men. in fact all good and intelligent citi-
zens, ought TO work. To attain that end
/ should be their eonstantendeavOr. pay
! members" are equally interested IN the
movement on fsot, and should lend help
/ ing hand 10 effect the purposes mentioned.
/ And. they should do more TheY might
use all honorable means at, their COM
mand 10 bring about the desired end.
/ Zach and every one should interest him.
| selfin the general scope OF the. movement
/ and actively help the good cause. The
effort TO reach our. friends throughout
| GeOFgia must be made, ahd-cAn be easily
accomplished. Agitation Is the very life
/ OF the movements Every man can do
/ something Letters ought to be written
/ 10 friends in the cOuntry-newspaper
containing informationOnth the topic should
/ be sent them. The importance Of the
scheme must be urged incessantlysor in
Nctivity will ensue.
The writer calls on his comrades, IN be-
! half Of the volunteers, tc exert hemseiVes
| In the direction indicated, and pafticu-
larlv to bear in mind the timely sugges-
tions in that behalf offered BY Col. VIM.
Garrard. contained in the issue Of your
naner YESTERDAY. PAY MEMBER.