The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1885-07-29
Comrades, Ladies' and Gentlemen !:

]
/ am reminded that one of earth's
greatest soldiers lies unburied. Like
Caesar, he was never defeated in life
and, unlike Cesar, General Grant
was unconquered in death; for there
bloomed in his heart the hope of a
nobler life; and, laying aside al
deaths bidding earth's greatest hon
ors. he has gone to the reward that
awaits the tender husband and faith.
er, the generous friend and true, the
conscientious citizen, the magnani.
nous victor, the Preserver Of the
Union and the Friend Of Liberty
The circle of his fame is commensu.
rate with earth's circumference.
We ought to congratulate our
selves that we have so fair land in
which to hold our Encampment
In warmer atmosphere we might
become oppressed with the duties oi
camp life, but here the sweet, cool
air invites o.martial exercises, and
the glorious prospect which the
matchless scenery of Western Caro-
lima spreads around US awakens in
each heart a deep sense of pride and
patriotism the highest incentive to
the worthy performance of any pub
lie duty.
His Excellency, Governor Scales
whose administration promises to be
as successful as any in our States
| history-and General Jones. who
drafted the bill upon which our
Guard is organized; and whose sig
nal services to the State in this d1-
rection has secured him the appoint
ment to the high position he now
holds under three successive Cover
nors- these distinguished superior
officers have invited me to speak to
you of "The Importance of the State
Guard as an organization" y But be-
fore I enter upon my subject, permit
me to say that | have had occasion
to regret that the whole people OF
the State do not take greater inte-
rest in the State Guard, and l ex-
press the hope that the Legislature
will give us a more liberal appro-
priation; for~the amount now given
is very inadequate for the purposes
which they had in view when they
gave the Governor power, and made
it part of his duty. to train and
drill the Guard,
/ am aware that people are now
busy with their crops, that business
is Frightening; and all eyes are
turned hopefully to a future oi
yet greater Individual and national
wealth.
/ know that it is hardly the time
to hope to gain the thoughtful Mt
tention of all when speaking of the
Importance of military matters: yet,
[ am encouraged by thes increasing
interest manifested in this direction,
as evidenced by the great number
of the Guard present, representing
al quarters of the State, and / look
upon it as>iadicating that the breeze
is beginning to blow III the right
direction.
| Since this first encampment may
be pronounced an unquestionable
and decided success, we may confi-
IDENTIFY expect, as natural result,
that a publication of It's success will
excite great interest throughout the
State, and will have the effect of adj
ding numbers, dignity and strength
| to the State Guard.
In speaking on the subject given
me, | shall confine myself first to
the importance of the Guard when
considered in its proper relation to
our State, and then speak of its re-
lation to the Federal Government.
AS there are fearful elements in
the bosom of the natural world, so
in society. in SO large u State as ours,
there is always present more orl less
of dangerous elements criminal
classes to be held in check by the
majority, if justice is to run her
course or virtue rule.
Ordinarily the civil arm will be
strong enough, but history, even OF
free States, teaches that emergencies
arise where the civil authority needs
to be armed and strengthened by
the military; and as the only legit-
innate military power in such cases
| is the soldiery of the people freely
coming forward to uphold their au-
thority, it follows that the Guard is
the proper force for the Governor to
use in suppressing insurrection,
mobs and illegal assemblies Of all
sorts that overpoWer or defy the
civil authorities.
The practical benefit of the State
Guard on such occasions, depends
not more on the Guard themselves
than on the Legislature which, by
law controls it, and determines the
limits of its Office. 1.-THE power Civ
en- the Governor is SO limited that
the aid he offers to threatened COM
munities is Intellectual, the Leeisla-
ture is responsible; and if too great
power ever be placed in the Guard.
| it will not be. the fault of the organ
| ization, but Of the law making pow
er that controls It.
The Guard is intended 10 be much
more than posse comitdtsss, or police
force; for when the civil arni hangs
lneryeless and powerless, it is inten-
ded that the Guard should come to
/ tile protection of society, and that il
bring order, health and peace, out
of disorder. disease and license.
There are those who are ready