The southern Whig. (Athens, Ga.) 1833-1850, May 20, 1837, Image 2

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and action ; but it must still exist to resist the contrary force, when causes nitty remove that which fofr a while permitted it to be inert. Carry not that power to an unwarranted ex lehtj I’.' bi it fi«lI front its unnatural strength ; but fco modify it as to sustain your covetninent ’ without burdening your personal liberty. It is. the helm of the vessd, w hoever be the pilot, whether King or Emper >r. Demagogue or Pa triotic Freeman. That power must yet be maintained in its full atrepgth ; we must be prepared to copy with the genius of war, and let us now observe if its bloody eye, oucasion nlly rests upon the laud. Do not let tm theo rize, uor speculate daikly upon what may be. but let ys still watch every little cloid, w hich may like that presented to Elijah, be pregnant with the elements of strife ; let us determine if there be a probability of our being effected by many dangers. The principles of religion and pence, seem those tendencies of systems w hich generate strife, or which lead the mind from the quiet pursuits of life, to dream of battle and milita ry fame. Although we acknowledge those principles to be just and true, yet wc must re fleet whether the w orld, or our nation, is pre pared to have those systems laid at once aside. Morality is not so deep or generally infused, as to check base ambition or unjust rule ; nor prudence so governing, nor policy so frise, as that we should “beat our swords into pruning hooks,” and sweetly sleep in dreams of. peace and religious tranquility like one who should sit o« the side of a volcanic mountain, looking on the calm azure sky, or on the green fields konaulk 1*4411, of the fires that are about to send forth their lurid stream of all-destroying lava, to buiy him in destruction. Docs not your observation upon tha dissipated and contentious of our land lead you to entertain this? The princi ples of the human heart, ever wayward and depraved, are not yet so modified or curbed, as to cease to obey the dictates of pride and revenge; they will wing their way in wild flight, with the spirit of a bold and lawless am bition. As the compressed stream, when it finds no vent to its fury, strengthening by con finement, bursts ia terrible confusion the bonds that restrained it; so with she ruthless nature of man, w hen too suddetdy checked, within the imposed precincts of propriety, or when curb ed by the oppressions of tyranny, display itself unexpectedly in wild extravagance, or in threa tening wrath. You must, by continually tea ching it the principles of freedom and religion, and by an occasional yielding to gratify its de mauds, gradually confine it within the bounda ries of peace, wisdom, and sobriety. But that delightful termination to human frailties, has not yet been made, since the signs of the times are yet pregnant with war, and with an “unknown hand,” they still write up on the w alls of our temples of corruption, that we are “ wanting’’ to ourselves and to virtue Even the spirit of liberty that is abroad, which is ever exciting mankind, a.id which is now fermenting in Europe—the dread of kings —that “ worm which they have long attempt ed to crush, and which has now become the serpent to devour,” will probably, in the shift ing changes it is liable to produce, involve us in danger and uncertainty. Man’s versatility and desire of novelty, afford us but vascilla ting systems, doubtful in their terminations. Wc must then have an anchor to steady us up on-the billow. I would therefore, fellow citi zens,- ask your agreement as to those military improvements, which I shall propose as neces sary, and your co-action in their execution. You must admit that if they, not being of an anti-republican, but of a strengthening nature, were thoroughly established, we would com njjfjd the greater respect from foreign powers, and save ourselves from the imputation of weakness and effeminacy, and thus from the consequent impositions of ambitious govern merits. And even did we incur all the dangers of strife, we could defend our country more promptly and effectually, and save it from an otherwise greater devastation. You would not fear—y«u could not condemn the tempest, which would render moro compact by its pres sure, the superstructure of your weal and safe ty; neither could you discountenance those arrangements which would ensure your pro tection, however they might incommode your Comfort. Let us endeavor always, in those si tuations which most vitally concern us, to be Upon that safe side, which is best prepared for disutility, since wc know not what accident may suddenly endanger us, or what might be the causes which may unoxpectedly reveal themselves to us in the terror of their effects. Let us then ever keep on our armor, that no random dart may endanger our vitality and comfort. As long as there are existing the moral elements of strife, let our temple of peace and freedom be built upon a rock. Allow me first, fellow citizens and fellow solders, to call your minds to our militia sys tem, in its present state ; to its disorganization ; to its defects in its primative adoption, be fore I proceed to discuss the propriety of a thorough improvement in our military policy: It has been maintained, and justly, by our wi sest politicians, that the system is more suitable to a republican government, than a standing army • since it effects a general distribution of military duties and knowledge among the peo ple, who should be their own rulers and their own defenders. But those enlightened men preferred it upon the supposition of its being tn its perfect state, and not as it is now—a bur lesque upon discipline, a disgust to military pride. Being within the range of human di rection, and like other systems, capable both of abuse and comparative perfection, we may conclude, "without discussion, 'hat its well or. ganized state is practical. Freemen may ob ject to its strict discipline; but republican statesmen could easily convince them, that they must either submit to the support and partial rule of a standing army, or they should adopt measures among themselves; measures that will render them capable of their country’s defence, and of maintaining its proud dignity, and thus their own, both at ho/ne and abroad. But if they, in their supineness. object to both of these arrangements, they have lost the no. bio ardor of their ancestors —they have bo. come neglectful of their highest duty. But Americans, harbored in their former strength, taught the lessons of independence, their minds directed to peisonal honor and sovereignty, nurtured in and breathing the influence of a mild government, could never, when their na. ' tional blessings and dignity were to be main, tained, however great their temporary lethar. gy and neglect, reject and destroy the proud, est bulwark of their support —which alone is able to resist the elements without—to main, tain concord and comfort within. They must bo willing to restore and improve their milita. ry organization. Your observation and expo, rience must have convinced you. that the pre. sent system, instead of disciplining the people and infusing into them military notions—-has only a tendency to corrupt them; affording • but holidays for the indulgence of their idle ness a»»d dissipation. Your military meetings are not sufficiently numerous ami lengthened, to keep alive the practical knowledge of tac. tics, and too large in their assemblages, to keep the people in military order, or to haw them minutely drilled. Your officers are not com. petent to fill) their responsible posts; they h ivo not a tithe of necessary knowledge.— These are defects to be remedied; and your reasons must tell you the remedy is practica ble, and that is perfectly accordant with the pirit ot republicanism. You must see, that in case of war from without, there is nothing needed but for American marksmen to betral ned into disciplined soldiers; amid internal strife, a quick activity in combining to suppress dissentioiis, and quell the nx.bs. Th se ad vantages, however there may be a willing a lacrity, can never be produced but by organi zation, and proper knowledge of military ar rangements ; ai d your experience must tell you, that We are greatly destitute of them. We need not an establishment newly to ba made of the system; but only its improvement. Legislators 1 that improvement you mast coun tenance and forward, if ye be patriots! Mi litary then ! you must be the agents for produ cing it ! But let us consider Some of the rea sotn&why, in case of its improvement and com parative perfection, a militia system may be more suitable than a standing army, especially lor our republican government ;—but in the first place, fellow citizens, your officers must be required to be as competent to fill their high costs, as your statesmen to direct the affairs of government, or as your learned men to forward the march of intellectual improvement—that we may not presuppose any deficiency in the system, on that account, in the course of our argument: lnthefirstplace.it ts compara tively more beneficial, because, being at least of an equal capability of defence, it is also less expensive. In both arrangements, the num her of arms, and the quantity of military sup plies required both.in peace and m war, must bo about equal in your depots and' arsenals; that is, sufficient in either cat-afor the defence of the country; But the payment of officers rnrtlol' men, the - supply us provisions and ot horses, together with other military, accoutre ments and preparations, would;with a standing army, be a superfluous expense in time of peace. Even did we have to pay our militia officers—on account of the shortness of the time, and the smallness of the labor necessa ry to their duty, their salaries need be but small, and which kind they could alone expect. But how would the aggregate payment compare with the expenditures, that must and would be devoted to the thousands of disciplined myr midons necessary for your defence. 1 also maintain, fellow citizens, that there is less pro bability of out militia system’s being made a tool to overturn our government, or our military people a licentious populace, t.> destroy cur that is, their liberties Both in wai and in peace, the discipline is such, that a standing army enjoys almost equal privileges and rights in both situations ; so that with it, there must be an indifference, so far as those points are concerned, as to w hich of them it m- v be in. But it wdl not have that patriotic spii., which is generated by our interests being placed im moves-bly and particularly in the land which we should defend. That interest generates national enthusiasm, and stimulates us to deeds of desperate courage in case of adversity, and it excites within the soul that fierce fire of ar. dor, which, when ennub'ed by an elevated pa. triotism. partakes as if of the power and bril iiancy of lightning, scathing to the foundation that which may- oppose, and illuming with living sublimity the source from w hich itemi nates. It was that interest and J hat spirit, which enabled our ancestors to defy British power, arid to kindle with the.r enthusiasm that vestal fire, which burns upon the altars of our freedom. And those noble sires afford us in their success, a prominent example, that the spirit of patriotism is invincible. If then, a standing army w-ould have no direct interest here involved, to deter it from desiring change, it could bo more easily induced into action, to gratify some beloved General, or promise-giv ing Demagogue. Cromwell, Buonaparte, and others, made it the stepping stone in their am bitious ascent to despotic power. Reasoning, we can conclude, that when the whirlwind of civil dissension sweeps our land, some dema gogue will take the convenient wing of milita ry power, and in the buoyant tempest will rise like an aspiring eagle, directing its flight to the sun of fame. And those, too. who pursue a military life, naturally—as it is generally es tablished by experience, prefer a practical ap plication of their knowledge. As the rest oft mankind, they dislike an inactive condition, which with them, a peaceful state of the nation would produce. When are the European ar mies so obedient and joyful, as when their na tions offer them war ? History and observa tion tell us this is true. We may then con clude, that though a standing army in time of external war may cheerfully and ably defend the land, —in time of peace or civil strife, it will more quickly catch at that clue which may lead it to fatal meaSures, than our quiet citizens would do; especially when those measures may make it the ruler, as well as the defender of government. If then we have a militia system, the officers and soldiers instead of joi ning an usurper, would be stimulated by their own interest to oppose his designs, and to pre. serve their homes and liberties. But in the other case, the rock that at first supported us would “grind us to powder.” There is another advantage afforded by the militia system : Whatever be the part ot our country attacked, there would be soldiers at that point ready for its protection, and more nu merous than n regular army could immediate, ly afford, since that army would be necessarily distributed in small portions in every part of the nation; and thus we would be allowed time for a more effectual defence. Let us then strengthen that bulwark of Qur defence, and be Americans, not only free, but invincible. Make military knowledge a part of education throughout the land, since your safety depends upon it, when connected with the proper spirit and principles of your republic. There is one method, among many others, upon which I shall lay some stress, as produc tive of military discipline among the people, especially among the young.:. Volunteer corps, are peculiarly adapted to ffie free dispositions and habits of the American people; and are somewhat connected in then* origin with our militia system, and superior to it in delighting and training. The vomig, the fiery, the ardent, disliking the uninteresting manoeuvres of an undisciplined field, food of the pageantry oi show, and the exactitude of tactics, burning with enthusiasm to imitate and to know all that elementary and practical knowledge, w hich has given power to states and glory to conquerors—adopt with cheerfulness that me thod, which will relieve them from unpleasant restraints, and allow them the pride of feeling and the glitter of appearance, “ The youthful soldier struts, and slaps with pride The jetty box suspended to his side ; While o’er him waves the motto’d flag of stars. Which joins in Friendship, Mercury and Mars. It has been said by an experienced man, speaking of volunteer corps at our seminaries of learning, “It is not only that military file is kindled in the heart, at such an age, but in such associations they learn much ot that part of the art of war, which depends upon ardor, quickness, and imitative power, rather than upon reasoning. Being acquainted with eve ry possible form in which men can be placed, and the time required for each movement, the officer in batttie having all the elementary and practical knowledge at once in his mind, can compare, combine, and decide without hesita tion.” But suppose, fellow citizens, that ottr mili tary organization undergoes as thorough an improvement as it is capable of, so as not to interfere with the pursuits and freedom of the peo| le : That very increase of discipline and strictness, will actuate men to the more showy qualifications and duties of volunteers. Aid 'hey seeing also an improv< rner.t in contem plation, will take more pride, and exert more attention in their regulations and discipline : and they who in peaco would feel more “Proud as boyish chieftains, and happier far Than Europa’s scourge, and thunderbolt of War. would, when strife was oppressing onr laud, be themselves, the terror of their enemies, the he roes of their country. But let us consider besides some of the rea sons already expressed, why there should be an improved military organization throughoui the country, a few of the Causes which n av so far effect our interest and penCe as to call firth the most exemplary patriotism to resist their pernicious influences as well as strength to restrain them within the bounds of safety. Although those causes may not be so effectual as to require your utmost energies in their re stn.int, nor so immediate and ac live as to affect your interest with directly fatal effects; yet they should be observed in their changes that we may know their probabiliA and Capability of influencing us at different times and with different issues and they ma t Le considered in their different relations that we may judge how they are already influencing our welfare and our personal and national concerns, so that we may be fully prepared in our minds and power to meet every attack of adversity. We have attempted and arc prosecuting the final | removal of the Indian race from ottr precincts; ai d this race has also been subjected to the lawless usage of unprincipled settlers. But the spirit of its ancestry thato. ee brooded in wild sublimity over this extensive domain, whilst it shed a tear over the desolation of its pat rimony and the destruction of,its people, caught a brand from the flame of its ancient i:-depen dence and fired the remnant of freedoms’ aspi rations among the struggling Seminole. The aspiring, reckless Oceola, th it “ rising sun” to their last bright day, with a daunt!- ss few has partially raised the curtain and displayed our weakness,arising from an unprepar.-d, disorga nized slate, and has for the I..it two years wai ved a triumphant tomaba.uk over our blood, stained borders. Although the Indians have taught us the lesson which will bo the cause of their downfall—and th re is at present the prospect of a tempo-ary cessation of danger as they take their departure westward—yet the frontiers, even in that direction, will be expo sed to their attacks, as their harassed mi ds will cause them to hover nround us as a tem p*<st, about to give us its last revengeful blast And as the expiring remnant of that proud race sinks to its extirpation, it u ill hold with con vulsive and dying energy the struggle with its destroyers, while its mournful and sublime death-song will be a dirge to “burden the winds pf our sky.” But that which, from its connexion with our personal and national in terest, from the attention it has already excited, and from the influence it is capable of exerting demands our consideration, is slavery. We who are Southerners, are called upon by those who wear the garb of religious sincerity, and who in their kind sympathy, as pretended, de sire to do good—would sap their country’s sta bility, and involve its church and ail peaceful and religious tranquility in w ild anarchy, to wipe the stain of slavery from freemen’s name, and give respite to a race of men, who have neither the capability to support, nor the know ledge to govern themselves. Instead of di recting their reasons and religion, to produce a mildness in the treatment of all towards these unfortunate people, and to diffuse among them proper and meliorating moral sentiments, they are, with a species of irrational fanaticism, de vising schemes in themselv-s, from the nature of circumstances impracticable, and in the o pinioii ot many of the wise and good, irreli gious and presumptions. But I would tell you that, as long as men are free to indulge their religious and candid sentiments, relitive to slavery iu the abstract, th y will condemn it. It is the spirit of the age—the governing en thusiasm of the moment. They claim a free dom of opinion. “ Dread demon cf the earth quake” of sentiment, the murmur proceeding j thy shock is abroad! And if they can con demn it in one case, sympathy and ambition, or impolitic views, or even reason’s high influ ence, will actuate them to devise schemes for its relief, w ithout their considering those many circumstances, which, if they do not render them apparently absurd in principle, will at least make them inconsistent in policy. Many evils may thus be generated, inadvertently, a gainst our country’s interest. It has been the remark of an English Theologian of celebri ty, that in the spirit of Christian and moral benevolence, all slavery should be abolished. Throughout Europe, the learned and religious are frowning upon it; and even in our coun try, some of th j most enlightened object to it in sentiment, and even in policy. You will then perceive, that you will have to contend eventually, with the prejudice and persuasions of mind and opinions—those stirers of the tempest, which in spite of a nation’s frowns,, will diffuse itself among those who do not own the much pitied slave. And they, not consul ting our national policy, thoughtless as to what may be politically- proper, and absorbed in their own sentiment, will devise schemes for carry ing them into effect, to extend what they may believe ts> be the cause of God. Thus assured, they will preach a crusade against slavery, and clashing with the deep rooted prejudices of the South, contending with the difficulty of cir cumstances, as well as decrying what they term the unjust policy of government, they would by that contact and resistance produce the sparks of dissension. The clouds meet, and the scathing lightning is the flash of their fury. Observe the influence those kind of men have exerted upon the Eastern Continent: Britain has abolished slavery ; France and oth er countries condemn it; and thus you can readily conclude, that similar attempts for its abolition w ill be made hero, which will involve our country in civil strife, and leave us open to the aggressions of ambition, either from home or abroad. There is a tide of religious sentiment at the present day, which will swell with tempest-wrought fury, against slavery and otiier defects in human policy. And that very tide, instead of keeping away, will pro duce war; because, 1 must say. it is partially under human direction, and obtains itsimpetu. osity from human passions. We here, at least find one of those glaring probabilities, teeming with the chances of danger, and which calls upon us in a warning voice, to be vigilant and prepared. But Southerncis, there arc among ourselves the materials of combustion, the hidden sour, ces of danger. The volcano is but in an up. parent repose : its eruption will be more dread. The dark schemes of liberation and rascality devised by Mure], ths unsafe knowledge alrea. dy disseminated among the blacks the insur. rections that have been attempted, the fact that there are thousands of miscreants among us, secretly undermining the foundations of our peace, are reasonable grounds tor the coij;c. ture: Circumstantial proof, that there are some among us so regardless of true principle, as to leave off all open negotiations in favor of their cause, and preach in secret among our people, tbe spirit of assassination and rebellion. They, together with the class to which 1 have at first, referred, may even with different mo. tives, produce jointly much evil: As would the Simoon’s deadly breath, when connected vitli the hurricane! But let us consider the fact, that if we had insurrections, or disorders to harrass us, how beneficial, how convenient s u t Be r u 30 U i $ ♦ would a well organized militia system be 5 when men coil'd promptly combine in every portion oi the country, to defend . aemselvcs i* lieu the ..'anger was great and ge; end, or how useful a military patrole, when it was more partial but immediate, Those baselv desimiing men, whom I bait lastly noticed, may endeavor to involve yotl in a series of petty, but annoying dangers, pregnant with those fears which" the assassin n>bff r engenders into a peaceful firm, ly, and harrassing and exciting to the general spirit of the South and W<st,“' Although too scanty in means, and Contracted in views, to excite among an ignorant narrow minded peo ple, the necessary glow of frecmeu’s er.thusi. ism, or to rouse them into a general and sue. cessful conspiracy, tin y will yet draw them from diflerent portions of the country, and at different times with rapine in their viow, into the mad deeds of a single night, fatal to them, selves, and mournfully annoying to us. But well organized s, if they did not en. tirely restrain them within the bounds of pru. deuce and peace, would at least be very effec. tui'.l to curb their disorderly propensities and actions. Is tin ra not another subject upon which you have been gulled into the sleep of stipineut-ss and iiidiffcrcnco by the songs, and eulogies of Liberty ? Are not some conjecturing, '.hat li berty has a tendency to subvert Law ! Are no! our learned and observing, hmumtieg the spirit 'it insubordination in cur country, and s.-.vlh it m our contempt of the arbitrar; i equalities of monarchial government, our zeal has overacted to the overthrow of these constitution;;; dis tinctions of intelligence and virtue, and author ity inseparable from the existence of well re gulated society ? Are not Americans discus sing upon subjects in which consists tl.e es sence of despotism ? VVhv are ihev even in abstract conjecture doubting the capability of a long and steady existence of republican I governments ? The answer to these questions | furnish an indir ct but conclusive demonstra- j tion that we have exchangi d the pure spirit, and confi lei.ee cf our fathers, for the doubting and vacillating notions of dissenting men.— That spirit which was suited to win yoar li berties is necessary to their maintenance ; it has shewn itself to be the sou! of your gov ■nmient, but when corrupted and misdirected it will endanger your vitality and be “ As the struck Eagle, stretched upon the plain, No more through i oiling clouds to soar again, Viewed bis own leather on the fatal dart And winged the shaft, that quivered in his heart; I Keen were his pangs but keener tar to feel lie nursed the pinion tint impelled the steel ( While ths same plumage that had warmed his nest Drank the last life drop of his bleeding breast.” Thus fellow.citizens our unrestrained liberty is nourishing a wild licentiousness of manners. Outrage upon society and a contempt of the rostramtß of regular government, are rife in our country, Anarchy has been as if the daughter of freedom. I n this our own free laud, w here we would beast that all have equal privileges I as well as restrained, a powe r has risen cm mpoteut in its energies, stronger than the law, defying the indictment of juries and the man dates of the judge, and calling itself inappro priate t'tle of the sovereign people. Itdisgiaces our country, and threatens imiaeut danger to our free instibitions. It is the spirit of Mobo cracy begiuitig to assume the powers ofgov ermnei t. Turn to Charlestown as the dwel ling of some unfortunate fetrales is lighting the town with its lurid blaze. Be hold the devoted nuns fleeing at night from their homes, w hile they see their pianos s, harps and guitars, which once vibrated holy notes te liberty and to heav en. heaped in one pile, to stait the villainous conflagration. Turn to New Y’ork, where vengeance is directed against the merchant, because of the high prices of provisions, and where store-houses are destroyed and their contents scattered in the streets. Look at Bal timore where for more than two days, the li centious populace were masters ot the city, committing illegal and uadcsr rved depreda tions, and whom a timid jury has since acquit ted. The scenes of Vixburg and Philadelphia need only be mentioned, and also the singli fact recalled that a Mississippi jury had no: the courage to bring iu true bills against a bam of murderers. Look at all these things ant. you behold a tyrant, many headed and cru -i, speaking with its thousand tongues its decreet of condetnuatiati and punishment agai. st th citizens of these free United States. Had anx siro; g and well disciplined force been ready to aid the civil authorities, these scenes could not have existed. The Police would have bee too strong for the rioters, the posse comitatu of the Sheriff’would have enforced the decis ions of the law. How necessary therefore L a more effectual organization of our military power. For foreign defence, for restraining oar Indian neighbors, for guardi.-g us against tne sudden out breaking from the Helots amoi g us, for securing us from the wild fanaticism tha! would sup; ly our slaves w-ith the sword arc the midnight torch, for curb; g the lawless ano furious licentiousness of mobs, whose passions have driven them beyond the restraints of rea son, and sense, we must have either a standing army or a strong milnia system.— The latter is most in accordance with the spirit of our government. Follow then vigilantly the course you have adopted, and if our liberty depart, may it not be because we were too weak or inert to attempt its salvatiou. But may its songs, belong upon the gales, and may they float the anthem of our happiness, and strength, in “ witching cadence” around those blood coloured stripes, and emblematic stais glorious Republic of American freedom! If tnou sleep may it be the sleep of thy vitality and not thy eterui 1 repose ! And may the sky that curtains itself around thee,, be rich in its effulgence. May the stern integrity and man ly ardour of the glowing West rise in a bright glare from the land of the setting sun ; may the correct economy and rising euterprize ot the North and East display themselves as a Borealis from the regions of snow ; may the glowing spirit and fiery patriotism of the Son h advance up vard in a cloud ot splendor from this clime of the burning smi; and may th y glow in their upward-scintillations until they meet in midway sky, and in a focus • f brilliant and warming light form a Nimbus ot glory around the govern meut ot our Union. Fellow Soldiers! toyou who are advancing I from the years of youth to those of manhood, leaving the gay scenes oflhe one, to engross yourselves with the stern solemnity oflhe other, I would speak affectionately but pointedly.— Wc, who are in youih, are disposed, to lull our senses int • an abstraction from all troubles how ever apparent, and to enjoy only the blooming loveliness of circumstances. And as we look forward and upward to the future—to its la bors and enjoyments, as they conjointly appear expanding to our view as so tin lofty mountain around, whose summit sweeps the chilling storm, whilst again the s low gather on its sur face reflecting roseate tints in beauteous hues back upon its base, when smiles the loveliness of spring and beams the rtl.ixiug ray of sum mer we, thinking only oflhe present, of the sweetness of youth, gaze with undepressed buoyancy upon th ■ scene, and even sport be low, indifferent and joyous, when “ luxuriance pillows its head in the lap of desolation.” Il is thus we should live and enjoy, did not stern necessity, the tide ot age, connected with a I high moral motive, urge us onward to encoun ter the grievances beyond. Since you must | advance, then, let reason, with enthusiasm’s I flashes weaved as a tiara of inspiration around its brow, be your guide, to lead you over th path o' patrr lixii and glory. Regard pleas ure witii the stern < ye of manhood, and cares with tne elastic feeling of youth. Prepare not _ vourself to be as gay insects sporting in tin sunshine of peace, nor pamper your rpirit oi isdependf nCe w ith the coxcomb and < flamiu nte idea that you always wmiid and should re ceive the respect due to that, creature only, when the soldier would not iejurd, northe civil ian insult. It is that which has already in fused itself into the minds of many, and it is an alloy to the pure spirit. It is that, fellow soldiers, little as you may have taken cogniz ance of it, which often checks your prompt obedience to discipline. Refine not lib rty lest it lead you to punctiliousness, eff minacy, and i.usub ‘rdination. That peak which rears its head aloft must expect to combat with the storm whilst on its airy side, it gathers the avalanche to hurl it in desolation on the plain. It is thus with wanton independence. It gen erates your downfall, and often renders redicu lous and contemptible those who know’ not firm ness nor freedom in their true spirit. Do not then disregard, nor condemn that subordina tion necessary to obedience, nor that rigid dis cipline suited for organization and order. It is an old proverb teeming with truth and phi losophy that “to learn to Camrnand, we must' learn to obey.” Subordination is the essence of government; it is the support of all good reg ulations, and the duty of’all patriotic men. It is essentially necessary in military affairs tw discipline, energy and order, and that which is a necessity is no bondage, because the mi d. recoiruizing it as such, feels not oppressed. Being acquainted w ith your history, and hav i g observed your general spirit and neglect, 1 see you regard your exercises as laborious, a id brand your officcer v iih the spirit es domina non, when he attempts to perform his duty, by countenancing military strictness. Sometimes IrtZy supineness, mirth or indifference, prompts your murmuring when the spirit of boyhood, still teeming with the prejudices of your child ish days, finds its prerogative infringed, or its sporting time occupied. You expect your of fleers to discipline you, yet you fro.vn upon the necessarily stern measures taken f r that end. You become disgusted with the little benefit and pleasure you derive from an undisciplined state, and peremptorily leave the corps,yet vou condemn those very measures, which would eventually afford you instruction and delight, and give you beauty of appearance. You de light in office, yet you scarcely endeavor to be worthy of it. Fellow’ Soldiers, for the sake oi dignity, and ofyour Company which you should love and support, yield to the necessary disci pline, or leave it, so as not to interrupt its im provement iu tha t respect. 11 were much more boyish to perform negligently that which you have undertaken, than to pursue the same, however trivial it may be, with firmness and order. Do you delight in military show ? If you do,prepare the greatest glitter and neatness, but remember that without discipline, they are bu. rediculous pageantry. Do you desire mil itary knowledge? Improve then tbe offered opportunity by attention and obedience. You have every advantage necessary for improve ment, shew, and delight, and means both prac tical and theoritical tor the acquirement of the science of war, and a band w hose music is ca'- culated both to please and excite. Prepare then, to lay aside the monotony of y< ur exer cises and your indifference to improvement, and if you will, you can be noted both for your discipline and handsome appearance. Bui cons der. fellow Soldiers, and not with a vagu< and transient conception the advantages here after derivable from your early military im pressions. We are yet in all the versatility of youth. We are in a partial darkness as to politics, and know not but vaguely what will lie our course, or the circumstances that mat influence it. The first flash that gleams athwart that gloom will attract our gaze and itteiitioi). possess all our pr< judices, and whet he full understanding of uutional subjects en ightens the whole hereafter, it will shew our minds and feelings, bending as the tender plant is want to the first genial ray that appeared. That light has partially even now excited its ! fluence in turning you to love our ii stitu ions i id government, and may my preceding re marks be another ray to attract your attention towards proper views, and to excite v ithin you he pride ot defending your country. Those iews and feelings are the legacies of your fa llers. Trust not your own entirely as they qiring up w ildly. 'There are so many < ircum tances to distract our minds, and to dissipatf air judgement, to warp and render firm our in erest, to warm and cool our affections, that the human mind, especially ’hat which is youthful, •an never form correct opinions, uor choosi but frail policies. Could we muse on the.worki is if on a panorama, exempt from its buslle, and from its hurrying, and exciting scenes, md brood deeply and thoughtfully upon iib va cillating systems and internal excitements, wi might reduce policy “to the line,” and leasoi ••to the plummit.” Entering then upon th* world’s distracting theatre we must have somi A uide to our actions, some rallyi g point for our views. Let than that light which first burst upon our young eyes direct us hereafter amid the toils of manhood aud the peiplexities of government. And if we can in a greater maturity of judgement, improve and assist, let us raise our •* rm to lend its strength. Govern ment on government have crumbled in ages past, and it was military power w hich armed the tempest that desolated them, audit was the same that would stretch forth its arm and bid that tempest “be still.” You sec, fellow sol diers, the shifting gr< u. d upon which you tread, and the subtle power at which you grasp, as changing a d as mighty as the playful fluid upon the bosom ol the cloud. Yo i know not when you may be called upon to use that pow er, or to test your strength, and try your honor i and patriotism. “Lsarn then man by what hr I is, and not by what he ought to be.” Let de- I vision and energy form your criterion, aud ’ then when youradvai.ee is sudden and t> .ward, i; will also be lofty and glorious. Fear not a military despotism. 'The sentiment of our country is against it, for there is a deep spirit abroad"—the aroused instinct of independence —i he aspiration of an immortal miud soaring above ignorance and oppression—the congen ial and sistei spirit ot that which reigns in heaven, and gives a luster to existence, is going forth —it lightens through the moral sky, and tor those who have laid their offerings upon ihe altar of liberty aud fame, it stoops in wings es fire to touch, into burning life, the in cense that embalms the air of their mortality, and hallows the shrine cf their uneppressed souls 1 It is the spirit of liberty that now blesses on ly the patriotic brave ! H r on<lerful discovery of Mechanical Power. —Several of tbe papers have reteicd to an im mensely important application oi magnetic anu electro-magnetic power, which can be applied with great safety to the propelling of steam boats, locomotives, or to any branch of manu ! facttires, requiring power ot an inexhausti ! ble character. Mr. Thomas Davenport, n : blacksmith of Vermont, is the inventor, ai d ) Professors Silliman a d Henry both speak i. i hifh terms of the improvement and its aphea tiou. Mr. Davenport has associated witii him Mr. Ransom Cook, of Saratoga Springs, wh*. has suggested many improvmcnts in this sur prising invention; and we believe all that is required is means to carry out this novel ap- plication. And wlifefe would steamboats, and steam batteries, and engines, have boen in this country if Fulton and Chancellor Livingston h id not expended their own money to carryout die bold project? This new power is safer; ■o danger, noexplosio-i.no fuel, very little ex pense, and immense expedition. The editor of the New Era, a scientific man in these mat ters, has the following pra nicnl illustration in his paper this morning.— N. Y. Sfai- 1. We saw’ a striali cylindrical battery, n bout nine inches in length, three or four in di rmeter, produce a magnetic power of about 300 pounds, and which, therefore, we could not move with our utmost strength. No. 2. We saw a small wheel, five and a half inches in diametei’j performing ffibre than 600 revolu tions in a minute, and lifta weight of 24 pounds one foot per minute, from ihe power of a batte ry cf still smaller dimensions. 3. We saw the model of a locomotive engine, travelling on a circular railroad with immense velocity, and rapidly ascending an iacli .ed plane of far greater elevation than any hitherto ascended by steam power. And these and various other experiments which we saw. convinced us of the truth oflhe opi ion expressed by Professors Silliman, Renwick, and others, that the power ofmachinery may be increased from this source beyond an assignable limit. It is computed by these learned men, that a circular galvanic battery, about three feet iii diameter,-with mag netsofa proportionable surface, would produce at least a hunbred horse power, r.nd therefore that two batteries would be sufficient to propel ships of the largest class across the At lantic. The only muti rials required to gener ale and continue ibis poWer for such a voyage would be a few thin sheets of copper ai d zinc, and a few gallons of mineral water V 4 hilst the cost of this new’ motive power is merely no ninal. it is •lerfcclly safe and man ageable. 'There is not the possibility of any shock or explosion, and the whole machinery might be conducted by a child. We hastily annou ice these important features ofthis incal culably important invention, preparatory to a more scientific and practical elucidation. Athens, tin. Saturday, Jiay 20, 1837. Kail Unad Convention. 'The Stockholders of the Geo. R. Road & Bunking Co. met in this place on Monday, tbe Bth inst.; and we are much gratified to learn, that their deliberations were attended with the utmost harmony and good feeling. There was evinced a spirit of concession worthy the great work in which they are engaged, and calcula. ted to inspire renewed confidence in its sue. cess. In our paper to.day, will be found an ex. tract from the reports of the President ar.d Cashier. We call the attention of our readers to the following condensed statement of the finances of the Company, submitted by the Cashier to the Convention of Stockholders at iheir recent meeting. It will be remembered that the Road is liable—aud as such, its means -ire— Exp’don R.R’d, 634 322 70 Beal Estate, 12,876 00 Notes & Bills of Exchange, 1,089,453 22 Due by otherßks t Ag’ts, over & above ain’t due to B’ks, 65,996 62 Specie & other B’k Notes, 252,238 10 2,054,964 64 To meet a circulation of only 432.425 00 And Deposits, . « » 63 602 63 Dividends unclaimed, . . 5.648 65 Total, $501,676 28 In order to give place io the important in telligence which will be found under our com mercial head to day, wo are necessarily com pelled to defer any remarks of ®ur own upon ihe distress in the money market. It is in deed a gloomy’ picture, and one from the con templation of which, we should be pleased to be relieved, but such is the disjointed state of things that we feel satisfied we have not yet come to the worst. —Already have we been informed that two or three of tne Banks iii Augusta (which we have not heard) hiv been compelled iu self defence to suspend specie payments —and they will no doubt soon be followed by others, and finally, perhaps every banking institution in the State, and even in the Union will bo driven into this des perate measure—and where it will stop or what will be the icsult of such a state of things no man knoweth. We have been compelled to defer an inter esting extract, from the speech of the Hon. Henry A. Wise, delivered at a dinner given him by the citizens of Norfolk. It shall ap pear in our next. STATE RIGHTS NOMINATION. The Convention for the nomination of a candidate for Governor, on the part of the State Rights Party <>f Georgia, assembled yes terday at the Siateh use. Maj Thomas Mit. chell, of Clark, was called to the Chair, when on calling the list of counties, it was found that sixty-two were’ represented, making one of the largest assemblages of the kind ever held in the State. John M’Pherson Berrien, Esq. was then, on motion, unanimously nomi nated President, who upon taking his seat, ad dressed the Convention in a very eloquent and impressive maimer —referred to the proceed ings in Dvcembi r last, inviting the present meeting, and urged, with happy effect, hnrrno. nV of feeling and concert of action, in prosecu lion of the great object of the meeting. We hope to be a (de in our next, to lay before our readers address. Tho Couvcn lion then a« ■ ’ to meet again at 4 o’clock. We shall g account of the pro ceedings int / V ’ 4 o’clock, P. M. X At iz The ConvW^/ r according to aojourn ment, and proewded to vote for a candidate tor the Executive Chair ot Georgia. Ou the first ballot the vote stood us follows: Gilmer, 6' Gamble, 14 Lamar, 39 Habersham, 5 Dougherty, 18 Reese, 2 Colquitt. 17 Clayton, 1 King, 16 Blank, 1 On the second ballot the vote stood as follows: Gilmer, 91 Habersham, 3 Lamar, 69 King, 2 Colquitt. 6 Clayton, 2 Dougherty, 5 Gamble, 1 When it was Resolved unanimously. That oEOitoE R. Gilmer bo nominated by tin Convention us the candidate lor t ie Executivi Chair at the e.rsuing election. [Southern. Recorder. Extract flrciH the Report of the Presidlent oflhe CL R. R.aad Oatßkiitg Company. “ Y’ou will discover by the statement of the Cashier, that our circulation is much below our Capital. Our Bank Bills have had a ere dit at home and abroad, to an extent which no new institution has ever heretofore possessed. The rapid declension in the price of tho gredt siaple of the country, frill affect our Corpor ation Jess than any other. If we shall not make as much by dssco’dnts and interest ad expected, this loss will be more than counter balanced by the reduction which must take place in the price of materials and labor, ue-, cessary for the completion of the residue of the mad. “Accompanying this communication, yod will find a very encouraging and satisfactory Report of tho Chief Engineer, marked a. The interesting fact will not escape your notice; that the work already executed bn the read; has fallen within the estimates made by the Engineer at our last meeting, notwithstanding the great advance iu labor and materials. “ All our anticipations expressed in prcvir ous reports of the increased value of our Road; in consequence of other improvements in ach joining States, and more especially it? oUi’owii» are in a fairway to be realized. In the N. W., the Hiwassee Rail Road Company are steadily prosecuting their work, and anxiously looking to a union with us. The President of that Company writes me, “ that all that section of our Road between the Tennessee ana Hi wassee Rivers a distance of forty miles is now nearly definitely located, and has been adver tised for contract on the 12th of June next. From what we have already dune, you will judge we are in earnest about our road, and that if practicable, we will find our way into your state with our produce. ‘ So also is the Montgomery and West Point Company looking to a similar connection, and both their and our expectations, are likely to be realized much sooner than wo had suppos ed, in consequence of the dicisivo measures adopted by the State for rhe construction of the great State Road from the Tennessee, tp the Chattahoochee- To the East, the improve ment in the Charleston and Hamburg Road, in the Steam Packet commun cation with Norfolk and New York, the proposed connec tion of Charleston with Wilmington, and that point with Raleigh, all go to show that our road must form a link of the great chain of communication between Boston and New Or leans; and that consumated, must yield a profit which none of us have anticipated. I hat 'Tennessee is finding her interest in looking to Augurta and Charleston, for her markets is proved bv the very large number of wagons that have found freight from Augusta to that region during the past winter and spring. “On reviewing all the affairs connected with the great enterprise in which we arc engaged, I cannot close my remarks without assuring the stockholders, that there h is nothing occur led to lessen my most sanguine anticipations iu the profitable result of our investment, and the lime will soon arrive, when only regret that we have not invested all our surplus Capital in this valuable Stock.” All of which is respectfully submitted. Yours Respectfully. WILLI AM DEARING, Pre*. At the annual meeting oflhe St®<k Holders ofthe Georgia R *il Road and Banking Com pany. the following was the result ofthe Elvc«- tion for President and Directors : WILLIAM DEARING, President. W. CvmMinu, A. S. Claytov, J.\U. C’rXXI.WHAM, Charles Evans, A. B. Linton, Thomas Mitchell, A. Janes, E. E. Jones, J no. NisBET, E. L. Newton, Jacob Piunizy, O. H. Prince, ’ A. G. Saffolv, 11. B. 'Thompson, William Williams, Willson Lumpkin, Directors. Messrs. E. A. Nisbet and J. Robinson, declined a re-election. Griicral Statcßueut oC the Geo. | Rad Road and Banking Company, inclu- ding the Branch at Augusta. May 1, 1837.- €r. Stock paid in, - - 1,417,655 00 Surplus Profits, Dis- counts, &c. dec. - 36,569 83 Dividends. No. 1&. 2 unclaimed, ... 5,648 65- Deposits, .... 63,602 63 Due to other Banks, - - 27,604 89 Notes issued, 1,398.500 “ on hand, 835,395 “ in circulation, - *563,105 OO' Geo. R. R. K B. Co. & Br. at Augusta, - 99.059 24 $2.213,245 24 * Note. — Circulat’d, May 1, 563,105 OO Redeemed since that day, up to Muy 16, in the ordinary > course of business, 130,680 00 Total circulation, - - $432,425 00 Tow it. Principal B’k, 187,590 Do. Br. at Aug. 244,835 l>r. Expended on the Rail Road, on account of Graduation, Wooden Rails, Iron Rails, Su perstructure, Locomotives, Passenger Cars, Burden Cars, Distributaries, Right of Way, &.c. &c. ... 634,322 70 Coutn g’t exp’s, 1,883 96 Salaries, • 1,230 20 Bank’g House a Lot, Augusta, 13,876 00 Protest ac’t. ... 15 00 Bills Receivable, 93,358 65 - i Notes Discount’d, 448.584 24 * Bills Exchange, fc Busin’s Paper, 547,540 33 Due by other Banks in good credit, .... 53,105 23 i- Agents, .... 18,525 00 Siocks 21,125 00 Geo.R.R,ftß.Co.&Br. ut Aug. A<’t < uncut, . . 106,419 55 Gold & silv. coin, & gold bullion, 156,668 10 Due by Banks in N.Y. & Char- leston, . 21,971 28 Notes of other B’ks in Geo. 95,620 00 $2,213,245 24 1 > 1 All th-.' Banks in Jl/obile, and the Brunches >fthe State Bank of Alabama, at Montgom ery. Iluntsvilc, and Decatur, are said, by our ■