The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-01
uulll6catioa excitement I
Two hundred thousand

qualification excitement
two hundred thousand
appropriated fer munitions of s. 3
as !. consequence, greatly increased
importance of the arsenal. A garrison
was kept up uutil 1912 Governor
Richardson conceived the idea OF using
these m;li5ars posts as schools, holdlog
that as they had to be maintained, 1t
would be Only a SMALL additional ex-
pense to impart destruction to the
young men constituting the garrison.
Thrs we see that the origin aud pur-
pose Of the Citadel was for public de-
fense. and that the scho astic feature,
is graft upon the old trunk. There.
fore 10 purpose and practice the Citadel
bsars close rclatiou to the militia sys-
TEN Of the country, aud I desire to
express few thoughts 90 this lne, tor
in i, are some OF the germs which must
give life or death to US as a republic
In national life, in the first outbreak
of war or civil disturbance at tome,
there are but two resources for protec-
tiou and safety They might. like
hotels, be classified as the "European
aud "Auerican" plaus.
EUROPEAN PLAN.
The FIRST depends upon large stand.
ing army, drawn from the ranks OF
civil life, to be maintained in idleness
at the expense of the producers. Con-
stituting in the bands of 40 AMBITIOUS
aud bold executive perpetual menace
to popular rights.
AMERICAN PLAN.
The second depends upon patriotic
and well-organized militia, ever pres
ent, rarely seen, quartered among US,
not in CAMPS and forts, but at the hfe-
side, 10 the counting-room and work
shop.
THE FOUNDATION OF NATIONAL. GREATNESS
It has been we'll said that With the
decadence of the martial spirit the
decay of nation begins, hence every
ratiou adopts some means to foster this
spirit. varying in degrees, from the
dance of the savage to the science aud
culture of West Point.
In a critical analysis of the elemental
foundations OF political economy, there
are two essential factors, upon whose
proper understanding and application
the progress, perpetuity and stability of
our government depends. First, Po-
l;tical Wisdom, manifested through
broad craftsmanship. Second, Cour-
age, disclosed through the martial spirit
Of the people. The former embraces,
the aggregate ability, learning and ex'
perieoce Of the nation. while the latter
is a sense of justice and right, backed
up with an unfaltering determination to
protect both at all hazards of personal
danger.
What We call craftsmanship, is sim
ply careful study Of the past, critl-
cally and honestly compared with the
present, for the purpose Of securing a
logical AID common sense application
to the future. Militarism, 10 plain
terms, is courage and manhood, trained
aud disciplined to act in concert with
others. 1t is the scientific adaptation
of courage to the best and most effec-
tive methods of self-defeuce and pro-
lection. Upon these two elements
rests the progress and perpetuity OF
every free government. 10 their
highest development civilization stands
irrevocaoly pledged.
When | say that the military spirit
of toe people should be developed, | do
not mean a spirit of war, IN the &C.
cepted parlance of the day, since | con-
s;der that there is a vast difference be
tween the TWO terms. ''In the midst of
life, prepare for death says the scrip
ture, and who will deny its solemn
truth. Likewise. runs the old adage,
"In time of peace. prepare for war, :"
and none | faucy will question its Wis
dom or prudence. Preparing for war
does not mean var. anymore than pre-
paratioo for death means death itself,
since both are precautionary measures,
applicable alike to the frailties and
weaknesses of MANKIND.
The age of chivalry. with its feuda
system, serfs and slaves, has passed
away. No longer does brute force With
shield aud battle-axe settle and con-
clude controversies No longer does
personal courage, as displayed in single
combat. challenge the admiration of
mankind aad make aud unmake king
doms..
The science of mortal comba: now
demands numbers, trained to unity Of
action, and thas continuity of purpose,
which alone brings out aud utilizss the
utmost limit of courage aad endurance
The martial snirit Of our people may