The Sun. — 1867-01-04 (London, England)

THE VOLUNTEERS.  Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir J. Y. Scarlett, K.C.8., ',presented last Saturday the prizes to the members of the Burnley Rifle Volunteer Corps which they had won last September at their annual contest. The corps consists of 777 men, of whom 663 had entitled themselves to the capitation grant, and 14 had obtained the 20s. having distributed the prizes, Sir James said that, as honorary colonel of the Burnley Volunteers, he took a deep interest in them, and though the position was merely a complimentary one, a sinecure, giving him no privilege to interfere with the internal discipline or with the drill of the regiment, still it did not diminish the interest he took in the corps. (Applause.) The pleasure of having seen the corps in the field last August gave him additional reason. for being desirous of presenting the prizes they had won. Ile had been particularly struck with the efficiency of the corps, and he attributed it to the fact mainly that they were accustomed to leave their homes for a few days' training at Lytham, and live in tenth every year. He believed that encamping was the principal reason of their efficiency. Every man was bound to defend his own home, for patriotism was nothing more than the desire to defend hearth and home. Every man in this country had that feeling, and therefore, if he were not able to do it himself he should do it by 'substitute, or by some other mode. Therefore, the Volunteers were of the greatest import. ance in this country. (Applause.) It was a movement which ought not to be allowed. to decline ; but, ou the contrary, every soldier young enough and capable enough ought to do his best to attend a certain number of drills. If that there were the ease, we should want very little organisation in England ; and with our own regular troops, with our Militia, with our Volunteers, and with our pensioners wo might look in the face of any foreign nation without shrinking fur a moment. (Applause.) He need scarcely say that England was not an aggressive nation. " Peace and goodwill to all" should be the motto of England. (Hear, hear.) That was what she wanted; and all she required with her troops was that they should protect her dominions, and check all disposition to invade her shores. The principle of preparing for war, even in time of peace, was a very sound one, and he thought the authorities were very much inclined to take the proper course. England wished for no aggrandisement. She did not wish to extend her dominions. It might happen sometimes that the best defence was made by taking the initiative and attacking. Of course, in that point of view our regular army would come in, and would be well supported by the Militia and Volunteers. In such a case he did not see the need of any new organisation in England. (Applause.) On Saturday afternoon the newly appointed commanding officer of the Blackburn (2d Lancashire) Rifle Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Starkie, late M.P. for Clithcroc, assumed the command of the corps after it had paraded so that the prizes which they had won during the last autumn's competition in rifle shooting might be distributed to the successful competitors. The corps mustered upwards of 500 strong, and marched to the Town-hall, where, in the presence of the Mayor and several members of the Corporation, Lieutenant-Colonel Starkie made the presentations to the respective winners, and in doing so expressed the pleasure it gave him to assume the command of the Blackburn Rifle Volunteers that day, and while he could not be expected to say much as regarded their efficiency from his own knowledge, he must admit that the score which they had made in the recent annual competition showed that they were pretty good shots. That was an important thing for rifle Volunteers, as it was by good shooting that opposing armies brought down their enemies, and it would be of service to them supposing they were called out for the defence of the nation and were attacked. He then proceeded to present the prizes, which were of the value of £145, and included three silver cups. These prizes, he said, showed that everbody in the town took an interest in the welfare of the corps. lie hoped that during the new year they would all be very assiduous in their duties, and show to those who had kindly helped them that they were not ungrateful for such kindness. Ile bad very great pleasure in saying that, so far as he bad seen, the drill of the corps was creditable to tnem, and though he had only assumed the cominand of the regiment that day, and was not acquainted w itli details, he had previously seen their movements in he field, and could speak creditably of them. Applau.s.), ...............................—.....-. ____------ ___  SUICIDE OF A AiILITIA