The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-11-21
The Sumter Light Infantry.

Mr.. Editor: 1t afforded me much pleasure
TO attend the inspection last Friday nipbt o,
the Sumter Light Infantry. 1t is a f3ue bod y
OF young men OF martial bearing aud evident.
ly have been brought up TO a high state. I
VIII not cay perfection, both in the maoual
aud mauoeuveripg. The promptuess in obev.
ing and precision in executing an order vse
remarkable. There were however two or
three in ranks who would be improved
particularly 10 attention, by being subjected
Tor while to the awkward SQUAD. Ex.
Captain Loring Lee aId Capt. Wilson and
Lieuts. Fisbourne and Doar deserve mnch
praise not only 10 efecting such good results
In matters Of detail above referred to. bnt
OF bavinR Infused toto the body sn esprit du
corps, which 10 the fret snd most essen tial
element 10 every military organization from
tae company up to the corps. The Asst
Adls. Gen. Frost is . military man. everv
Inch OF him. and has made . record which
viii ensi.ls hiw to promotion at The nexi
general election. Ny thought however in
Starring this notice ives not 90 much to speak
OF omcers and msn % to throw ont though,
80 TO the militia Of the State.
South Carolina, has certsinly made the
nienest oational reputation for patriotism aod
geiisntry 20 oil The ware foreigu and civil in
which the United States has been On gagged
SINCE and even duriog colonial DAYS. The
mein reason for this 70 that the State bas
ios'ered military spirit among her citizens
oy sustaining her military academy, and
encouraging military organizations. To
avo'o toe daugers of large standing army
snd 'ne temptation OF colonial acquisition by
Iorce OF arms-'he two greatest dangers which
oow toreaten o0r republic Escb State mus,
maistsin tf6cent volunteer ORGANIZATION, ~
times OF peace to be ready for times of war.
l consider this to be duty each State owes
to her owo citEens, as one of her local affairs
and shosld not be committed to the F.der,
Government. IL is TOO dsneenou oower "a
oe placed in any other hauds, when we con.
s'der the peculiar race problem which has
oeen imposed uPoo the late slave. holding
states oy the result of the civil war.
we bear today frem Gen Miles q bucle
no'e. winch should be warning to us of the
SCUM. De sAys the regular army must be
Increased, 90 the militia can oot be regarded
as emcent Tor even home defence. He ba,
a'reaoy forgotten the great lesson taught nv
vo'uoteers on both sides durioR the civil
war.
VI course It will require annual sppropria.
noos to Keep up the efficiency Of The State
@iI'us These should be made oy ,he legis.
'ature and with no grudging hand.
40 emcieut infantry company at each
coooty scat 10 40 object lesson of warning
Which 70 slwsys read BY the ignorant and
cfim'osi class, and one OF protection aod
security to the dsfenseless women sud chill.
dren throughout the country. will not
presume to advise our legislators ; but Asst.
AoJ'' dsn. Frost's suggestion strikes me 40
one OF tne best have heard, to wit, to order
~ oor ~ dr'i's 10 squad and company each
year and to give to each man Sl f.r esch
drill he sttends, Withholding same for each
ne does not attend, aud defaultiop q certain
member, without sufficient excuse, he be
dropped from the roll of tho COMPANY.
J. ID. b