The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-29
GEoRo1AS MILITARY oRGANIzA.
TION2

SAVANNAH, GA, July 27.-EditoY Morn
ing Ne'eS: Having for fifteen years been
connected with the volunteer force Of
Georgia, naturally read with deep inter-
esV, the proceedings Of the recent military
convention, held in Atlanta, Ga, July 10.
70 memoriaiiza the legislature in behalf OF
the military organizations of the state
Inc report Of the able chairman of the
coIn'ui0tee, aud the resolutions adopted bv
uhe convention, had nv hearty anproyal
aud earnest sympathy. In this connection.
llcl.se you letter written to me by the
iaue Zen. Henry c. Wayne, sdiutaut general
OF Georgla, lS6l-'65, twelve wears aGo It's
publication, and a few explanatory lines
mere 4 by me, viii, l am sure, be read
"i-u deep interest by the members OF the
several volunteer military organizations:
LIE FIRST volunteer Regiment Of Georgia
was the first command in the state. and
among the first, If II { the first in the south
aJ IuiIy and frankly accepted the verdict
VI thtu &fbltramsut, to which she herself
app aled when shs drew her sword. Upon
Gue reorsanizaion OF the First Volunteer
regiment OF Georgia both officers and men
became lmnue with 81 earnest purp 1se to
10 their duty IS citizens. They believed
that the true policy to pursue in tho allay-
inenL OF passion and the dissipation OF
prejudice was TO celebrate all national holt
days, and 10 bear the national flag on these
occasions.
COLORED VOLUNTEERS.
In 1876, as the senior officer in the voluu-
teer force Of Georgia, addressed myself to
the very perplexing question and matter of
grave import, viz: the status OF the colored
volunteers, The cOlored men were forming
cOhpalle3 alt over the state, and particularly
was this the case in Chatham county. the
IanQInrr of Themselves int
panles was not confined to the city. In
each precinct of the county companies
we're organized, and in many and most
instances, they were nothing more
nor less than a bowling mob
volcano was, as beloved.
slumberlng beneath our feet, which was
liable at any moment to burst forth, and as
the senior officer, felt deeply the response
6iu5y, and wrote long and earnest
Istter to his excellency, Gov. Colquitt, beg
glnS nm to meet the issue, as it
would nave to be met sooner or later
promptly. advocated recognition of
these companies, by organizing them
uuder proper restrictions into com
panics aud battalions. commissioning
them and admitting them into the volu1-
teer forces of the state, subject to its rules
and regulations. To my deep qualification,
Gov. Colquitt promptly aud wisely met the
-''ttD ~ AoCN'ss AA-AiLlS lIblI, du4 q low
months thereafter visited our city at my
earnest solicitation, and accompanied bv
myself and staff, reviewed them. The re
suit OF Gov COlquitt'5 action has been the
disbandng of many of the worthless organ
tons and the present well organized and
well-equipped colored battalion, who by
their decOrous behavior and conservatism
nave commanded the respect of our best
citizens.
The colored people of the south have for
twenty-five years "Seen through q glass
darby" but the "scalesn are gradually fell
ing from thor eyes, and they at last
are commencl ls TO realize that the white
people Of the south have always been, and
are now, their trues5 and best friends. Two
striking Incidents In the career of the
sou5hs great cheftain, Gen Stonewall
jackson, are pleasing Illustrations of this
fact. In 1862 a friend in Lexington, Va,
received a letter from him, Just when the
ruggle was at its hottest, and his brilliant
movements were the astonishment and adj
mlratlon of the whole country, and to the
great surprise of his friend, there was not an
alluslon IN his letter to what ne had
done, not word about the great victory,
not hint of the forced marches and Of the
tragic scenes about him. An old servant
who belonged to him, and for whom he had
most tender regard, had Just died. and it
was of the dear old Amy as he called
her, that tds victor, whose name was on
every lip, sat down in his tent aud wrote.
StouowaH JackSon's interest in the negro
race was very great, not because they were
slaves, but because they were human beings
with souls to be saved. He accepted slavery
as 1t existed in the southern states,
not as thing desirable in
ITSELF but as allowed his
Providence, for ends which it was not by
business to determine. COMMUNICATING the
Ignorance OF the race, he establishel by
much personal effort and under some oblo-
guy Sunday scho ! for them, numbering
several hundred adults as well as children,
which he kept up with assiduous diligence
till the breaking ont of the war This
school has been maintained in successful
operation to the present day.
A casual conversation with Gen. WAYNE
on the streets in regard to the flag, colored
volunteers and a prescribed uniform for our
volunteers, induced me, after finding his
views were in accord with mine, to request
he would give me his views in writing, as
our conversation was held Just on the eve
of one of our state conventions, and |
rightly thought the influence of his nams
and services would strengthen my hands.
THE RECENT MILITARY CONVENTION.
Almost every walk in life is said 10 have
been represented in the delegates to the late
and all united in the object Of
securi e to the state of Georgia a volunteer
service, which will not only be an honor to
the state, but a protection and safeguard
t. her citizens. Gov. Gordon's address
clearly indicated that ne heartily indorsed
the object Of the convention. Our law
makers have not, heretofore, properly ap-
preciated tho importance Of having an eff
fectual, well-instrncted and Intelligent vol
unteer force. When the United States was
not more thaa a fifth or sixth as large
as it is now, and before all the
nihilism and communism,
had found a lodgment on our shores,
George Washington, in that memorable
letter addressed by him to the governors
of the several states, and dated June 8, 1888,
said in impress ing upon tnem the duty Of
the several states fostering its volunteer
military organizations;
THE volunteer force of this country
must be considered as the palladium of its
and the first effectual resort. in
case of hostility, that a nations security
lies not in the hands of mercsnaries and
hirelings, but rather in the loyal devotion
and bravery of its own sons" There is
nothing that will 50 insure peace and re-
spect between the states, in the state and
for the state as the fact that each is pro
vided with an effective and disciplined force
Of troops. 1t is folly to say that
the present constitution does not
the great importance Of
a proper military organization. 1t declares
that it lis essential to the peace aud secu.
rity Of the state" What stronger language
could be usei to express the Importance OF