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N0 ,31 Vou Vl.] ;
THE MILITIA.
The following Extracts are from the Reports of
(generals Newnanand Harden, specially referred
to in the Message of the Governour in Novem
ber last. The defects in our Militia System be
tng universally acknowledged, it is important that
something should be attempted in the way of re
form. Whether the plans proposed are the best
which can be devised, or how far they may meet
l with legislative approbation, remains to be seen j
but the utter uselessness -pf the numerous Compa
ny Musters now allowed by law, for the purpose
of improvement in military discipline, must be ap
parent to every observant and reflecting mind,
1 and on this point the remarks of Gen. Harden are
pertinent andjust,
I. 3tfere should be an Adjutant-General
with tne rank of a Brigadier, and iwo As
sistant Adjutant Generals with the rank of
Colonel, appointed by the legislature and
receive liberal compensation under annu
al appropriations. The duties of these of
fic::jy should require them to attend by al
ternation, under the direction of the Coin
wander in Chief, alt the conventions of of
fleers, and regimental reviews in every part
of the state, that are now, or may hereafter
be ordered.
11. The officers of every Brigade in the
state, jLould be assembled and encamped
at such places in their respective brigades,
’ (at or near the centre,) as may he pointed
out by their Brigadier Generals, once in
every year, for a period not less Mian six
nor mote tharf,twelve days, as may he di
rected by (hp Commander in Chief, for the
purpose of being instructed by the Adjutant
or an Assistant Adjutant-deneral in the tnc
ticks prescribed by Congress. They should
be subject while encamped, to the rules &,
regulations for the government of the mil
itia when m the service of the U. States &
be provided with rations, musick, arms and
equipments, at Hie expense of the state.
111. To prevent the evils and disorgani
zation which arise, from the frequent re
signations among officers of the miiilia, the
following provisions would be servicea
ble.
1. Every company and regimental staff
officer, who performs his duty faithfully for
the period of live years, and obtains a cer
tificate to that effect, from two of the field
officers of his regiment, should thereafter
be exempted from militia duty, unless in
case ,;.f, actual invasion from an enemy.
2. All promotions to a Captaincy, should
lie made by elections from the rank of sub
alterns ; to a Majority from the rank of
Captains,- and to a Colonelcy frorn the t.vo
oldest Captains, the Major and Lieutenant
Colonel.
IV. The general officers accompanied
by their staff should attend the annual re
views within their command, aud occasion
ally instruct the troops in their Held move
ments and exercises.
.V. Every militia soldier should appear
at the annual reviews dressed in a short,
plain hliie homespun coat, blue pantaloons,
nnd a black hat, armed, and provided, with
six rounds of Hank cartridges, suitable to
the bore of his firelock.
VI. The collection of fines for neglect of
militia duty shonld be rigidly enforced, and
‘after furnishing three drums and files, and
a gfatod of colours, for each regiment, be
transmitted to the treasury department,
wl-ei'f they would form a fund, sufficient to
defray all the disbursements for military
purposes.
VII. Upon the adoption of the above
amendments, the commander in chief should
he empowered to take every measure
which he may deem proper to carry them
fully into effect. The beneficial results of
these regulations,would appear among our
fifteen hundred officers and in a short time
he communicated by them to the rank and
file. The. expenses arising from their es
tablishment,to the fullest extent, would be
less than ten thousand dollars—a sum far
far short of the expenditures in other elutes
*fdr carrying into effect much inferiotir sys
tems. JYesrnan.
When one who is chosen an ensign,knows
that he may arrive at the command of a re
giment if his me.rit entitle him to it, with
out the dang-r of being over-reached by
the arts of popularity of one in the ranks,
he will make the greatest exertions to
qualify himself for the situation. When it
’ is known that no oae who has not passed
through all the lower grades, can expect to
be a colonel, ail will be anxious to {>e elec
ted Ensign, who may ever expect to be
military men, and then the subaltern ranks
will bo well filled, which it is believed is
not now generally Ihe case. But when at
any time one may be elected to a colonelcy
over the’ l/eads of older and abler officers,
who will take the troubje of occupying sub
altern situations ? What incentive is offered
as a sufficient motive ? The price pf their
uniform would oot he compensated by it.—
Nothing but the expectation of promotion
io due course can induce, proper persons to
to enter into the line as ensigns of militia.
Tfie plan of electing always, without limi
tation or restriction, prevents the lower
grades of commission* from being filled at
all, nr brings improper persons into office
to the gieat discredit and injury of service.
The following is the remedy suggested
THE MISSIONARY.
to obviate this defect in the system. It per
haps combines all the good effects of pro
motion, by election and seniority, without
the exclusive operation of either.
First. Let the ensigns of companies be
elected by the company, and then rise to
the rank of captain upon the principle of
seniority.
Second. Let the majors be elected by the
company officers, from the captains of the
regiments, aud then rise to the rank of co
lonel -upon the principle of seniority.
By the adoption of such a plan, the pro
per degree of subordination would be kept
up—military pride would he preserved—
nd an incompetent officer would never he
selected to command a regiment ; and in all
probability promotions in regular succes
sion would always be made among the cap
tains, if his merits entitled the next in grade
to it, and that the right of election in this
case would only stop those in their progress
who never ought to be put in* the high and
responsible command of a regiment.
Toe second point, as to the manner of
mustering the militia now claims attention,
it is not believed that any possible- good
comes from company musters. This obser
vation is not, however, intended to apply to
volunteer corps—the great difference be
tween them ar.d militia companies (not vol
unteers) is to be attributed to the passions
of pride and shame, as it differently affects
them. Volunteers are proud of their offi
cers, ann baie confidence in them, and are
proud to stand in ihe ranks under , their
commaod ; not so with those who are not
volunteers,—“they are ashiwned of their of
ficers, and of (heir subordinate situation to
such persons, and endeavour to turn the
whole affair into ridicule. This is too of
ten if not always the fact.
It cannot be denied that in many caes
the company officers of the militia are
chosen tor their incompetency to command,
in order that their men should get clear of
all duty whatever. The company musters
ore made almost entirely su’ servient to
fighting, horse r-icing and drunkenness, and
•'ire not attended with an\’ instruction be
cause few eien carry their guns to muster,
except to shoot at a mark, and the officers
are generally incapable to instruct others,
for they want instruction themselves.—
Company musters not only demoralize the
people, by encouraging idleness mid dissi
pation, but they really interfere very ma
terially with the prcdtic'ive industry of the
country. It is earnestly recommended that
they be entirely abolished.
By the present militia system r.o know
ledge of camp duty is acquired. The mili
tia do mot even kuow how to pitch and
strike their tents—how to mount or relieve
guard—how to lay out an encampment, or
in fact to perform any dtities relative to the
economy or arrangement of an army. The
little experience which the undersigned
gained in the last war, while in actual ser
vice, convinced him of the necessity of at
tending more to this part of the duty of
both officers and soldiers, as an indispen
sable branch of the service. In his own
command, a whole line of sentinels, upon
one occasion, through sheer ignorance of
their duty, delivered up their muskets to ao
officer who visit, and them in the night and
requested to look at their arms ; and upon
another, a field officer who had forgotten
the countersign or neglected to obtain it,
passed the sentinel late at night, into the
barracks, upon shewing his epaulets. The
centine.l begged pardon upon discovering
who he was, for the rudeness he had been
guilty of in venturing to arrest him in his
progress to his quarters.
The instructions attempted to be given
at company musters, are principally con.
fined to the manual exercise, which, to
Americans, who are all so well practized
in the use of their arms, is comparatively
useless. Regularity, order, and prompt
obedience to command, are qualities of
much more importance ; and all military
evolutions are better taught in large bo
dies, under capable officers, than they can
be a! company musters. For remedy
whereof, it is proposed, that instead of mus’
tering seven nr eight days in the year by
companies, battalions and regiments,accord”
ing to the present plan, that the militia of
every county should assemble by counties,
and encamp for at least three days in the
- year, there to be reviewed by the Govern
oor, or a General of Division or Brigade.
More good would be done to the service by
these three days encampments, than is now
obtained by seven years of mustering, ac
cording to the present plan; officers and
men would be emulous to excel each other
i and to appear to advantage both in the
eyes of their superiors and inferiors; capa
ble officers would he upon the ground to
, correct the errors of those not acquainted
with their duty ; the exercises for the time
would be assimilated to dial of a regular ar
-1 my, and all would return to their homes,
instructed in the manner in which soldiers
are expected to act, when called into the
field to defend the rights aod liberties of
tbeir country.
TJie enoampment might take place in
the pleasant month of May, so as not to eu
danger the health of the men. Tents and
: camp equipage should be furnished by (he
state—provisions might be furnished by the
I militia themselves.
‘ ‘ - Go.ye into all tbe world,‘id preach the Gospel to every creature. —Jesus Christ.
Ul all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.— Washington.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1825.
More (hau twenty years experience as a
militia officer, has suggested these, as the
principal defects in our militia system, & the
remedies are proposed, with a conviction
that their adoption will be attended with
great utility.
The undersigned woulJ be among the
last to recommend any interference with
the rights of free election by the people;
it has been his pride to advocate it, upon
all occasions, when it is not attended with
manifest injury or inconvenience to the
people themselves. In military matters
he honestly believes that the publick ser
vice will be henefilted by the limitation of
it, to the extent proposed in this attempt to
improve the miiilia system of the state of
Georgia.—[Gen. Harden.
—-*xx:#-:xx*e
DEAF AND DUMB.
A few weeks since we gave a specimen of the
intellectual improvement of a yoliog man by the
name of Loriug, who is deaf and dumb. The fol
lowing article from the Connectjcut Mirror, is a
still more striking evidence that ttee unfortunate
fellow beings may be raised to a high state of ra
tional enj'oy merit.
The Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, Principal of the
Asylum in this City, has lately returned
from an excursion through the States of
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
and Maine, the object of which was to ex
cite in the p.ublick mini, a deeper interest
with regard to the Deaf and Dumb. We
are happy to learn that his efforts have
boon attended with success: that the first
three above mentioned States, (they have
all before had a coi respondence with the
Asylum on the subject) have concluded to
send iwo commissioners respectively, to
meet in Hartford (his winter to confer with
the Directors on making arrangements for
the education of their indigent Deaf and
Dumb, and that the Legislature of Maine
will doubtless adopt a similar course at their
approaching session. Such a plan we trust
will result in the adoption of generous and
effectual measures for the relief of this un
fortunate and interesting portion of our
community. We have been favoured with
a copy of a conversation which took place
between one of (he pupils who attended
Mr. Gallaudet on his tour, and a gentleman
in Portland. During the conversation, Mr.
Gallaudet ivas absent; and the specimen
which it affords of the unaided efforts and
proiifick resources of the mind of a deaf
and dumb youth who, when he entered the
Asylum, could not write the simplest phrase
in our language, or possibly connect two
words together, and whose knowledge was
as limited as that of a child in the nursery
—is one of the happiest that we have seen;
and a most convincing proof, if indeed any
were now wanting ol the high intellectual
attainments of which those who labour un
der such immense disadvantages, are sus
ceptible. We are inclined to think that
there are very few if any youth, who, after
only seven years instruction, beginning with
the very dements of language and of know
ledge, could stand the test of similar inter
rogations, or reply to them in as correct
aud chaste a style. Will an intelligent and
benevolent publick any longer suffer such
intellectual ore as this to lie buried in the
neglected recesses of ignorance I
Q,. Are your courses of studies confined
to the English language ?
A. I do not pay attention to the study of
the English language only, but also to those
of arill.metick, geography and history.
Q,. Do you study ancient history; and if
so, do you recollect the former name of
i Constantinople?
A. i have read much in Roilin’s Ancient
History. The original name of that city
was Byzantium.
Q. At ivhat period was that city captur
ed by the Turks ?
A. In the fifteenth century.
Q. At what period did the Reformation
commence in Germany, and who were the
first reformers there?
A. In the beginning of the sixteenth cen
i tury. Luther and Calvin were the most
distinguished reformers.
Q. Do you remember the fate of Zuin
gle and Servetus ?
A. I do not know any thing about Zuiogle
and Servetus.
Q. Who was Pope at that time ?
A. Pope Leo the Xth.
Q,. Wbat was his character in general
terms?
A. I know little of his character, but I
know well that he was uncommonly muni
ficent to peisons eminent either for science
or for the arts.
Q. Have you read the history of Charles
the Vth ?
A. I read it but little.
Q. What was the most remarkable event
in his life ?
A. His abdication of the imperial throne
aod retirement to humble life.
Q. Id whose favour did he abdicate, and
what was the character of his successor ?
A. In his brother Ferdinand’s—l do not
know any thing about his character.
Q. Was it not in favour of his son Philip
II?
A. Charles left Philip the kingdom of
Spain and Netherlands only.
Q What was Philip’s conduct in the
Netherlands— bow did lie treat (he people?
A. He was very oppressive to the people
of Netherlands, and they could not bear his
intolerance ; they revolted, and, after a
hard struggle with Philip, separated from
the dominion of Spain.
Q. Who was the great leader of the peo
ple in the Netherlands, and did they be
come independent during Philip’s .reign ?
A, I do not recollect who was the great
leader in the Netherlands, nor do I recol
lect whether the Netherlands became inde
pendent during Philip’s reign.
Q. Was it not the Prince of Orange who
was assassinated by the Duke of Parma,
long before the Netherlands became inde
pendent, which did not happen till after
Philip’s death.
A. I believe he was. Ido not know any
thing about the assassination of the Prince
of Orange by the Duke of Parma.
Q. At what period was the Norman con
quest made, and by whom ?
A. in the year 10G6, by William.
Q. What was the general character of
this Prince ?
A. It was heroick and full of ambition.
Q. Which do you consider the most illus
trious reign in English History?
A. I consider the reign of Elizabeth as
the most illustrious in Eiiglish History.
Q. Wbat Prince attempted to destroy the
Bards?
A. I understand that Edward the first
massacred 400 Bards of Wales.
Q. Have you read Gray’s Ode upon that
subject ?
A. Yes; and Air. Gallaudet wrote an ex
tract from that ode on a large slate in our
school. I think it a very fine piece of po
etry.
Q. Mr. . Do not let us task your
patience.
Pupil. No, it does not trouble me at all.
I am very much pleased at being asked
questions of this kind.
Mr. l wish at your age 1 had known
half as much as you.
Pupil. I have not half so much know
ledge as many have at my age.
Mr. Not one in a hundred could
have answered belter than you have done.
Q. Who ivas the first Prince of the house
of Tudor ?
A. Henry the VII.
Q,. What is your opinion of the character
of Henry the VIII ?
A. It was very vicious, dissolute and ty
rannical.
Q,. Who was cotemporary in France with
him ?
A. Francis the First.
Q. Do you recollect an anecdote of
Francis challenging Henry to wrestle ?
A. I read it in Goldsmith’s History of
England.
Q,. What is your opinion of the chival
rick age in Europe, and of the Crusades ?
A. I know very little of the chivalrick
age. I think that the crusades were unjus
tifiable and very bloody wars.
Q. Was not the object a laudable one ?
A. I should think it a reasonable and
laudable object, considering the dark age.
Q. Do you recollect who got up the first
Crusade ?
A. Peter the Hermit, and Walter the
Penoylcss.
Q. Who was the first Prince of the house
of Stuart ?
A. James the First.
Q. What was his character ?
A. He was quiet and peaceable in his
disposition, but he was not a profound
statesman nor a good general.
Q.. Who was Charles the Second’s co
temporarv in France 1
A. Louis XIV.
Q. What tvas the character of this
Prince?
A. He was very warlike and ambitious
of glory and extensive dominion, yet he was
very liberal to men of genius.
Mr. . We fear you are tired, do not
hesitate to say so if you are.
Pupil. I am not fatigned at all.
Q. Which do you consider the greatest
Prince of the house of Bourbon ?
A. I consider Henry the Fourth as the
greatest Prince in that family.
Q. How did he come by his death?
A. He was assassinated by a fanatick
named Ravialack.
Q. Who was Henry’s principal minister?
A Rosmes, Duke of Solly.
Q. Did you ever read Solly’s Memoirs ?
A. I read some of Solly’s Memoirs. It
appears to me a most interesting and instruc
tive work.
Mr. . That is my opinion. Sully
was a very great and good man. Id what
reign in France was the massacre of St.
Bartholomew ?
A. In Charles the Ninth’s.
Q. What was his mother’s name ?
A. I think it was Mary of Medici*.
Mr. . She was a very bad woman.
Q. Which do you consider to be the
AnguslaD age of France ?
A. Louis XlV’s.
Mr. . Will you please to give your
age Rod name at the close of (his conversa
tion, with which we have been very much
gratified. We hope to have the pleasure
of renewing it before you leave us.
Pupil. My name i* George H. Loring;
and my age will be !7 on the 19th of this <
month.
[j Price $3 50 per am.
RELIGIOUS.
From the Darien Gazette.
CORRESPONDING LETTER.
The Sun bury Baptist Association to the As
sociations with whom they correspond, send
Christian salutation.
Beloved Brethren—Another opportunity
is now afforded us of in our
associate capacity. We rejoice for the
Christian affection which you have mani
fested towards ns by sending your messen
gers to unite with us in our deliberations,
and to encourage and strengthen our hearts
by sympathising with us in our joys and
sorrows. “ Ob, how good a tbiDg it is and
how becoming, for brethren to dtvell to
gether in unity !”’ Surely nothing earthly
is better calculated to smooth the asperities
of life’s toilsome road, than the pilgrim on
his way Zion ward, to meet with his fellow
travellers, and with them take sweet coun
sel respecting that everlasting kingdom,
that land of delight, on the enjoyment of
which we hope shortly to enter.
Dear Brethren : In reviewing the deal
ings of God towards us the past year, we
have much cause for humiliation apd much
for gratitude. To some churches in our
connexion Ihe earth seems to he as iron and
the heaven’s as brass. On others again,the
Lord has been pleased most graciously to
pour out the influence of his holy spirit.—
O that he would shower down this blessed
influence in copious effusions ’till every
heart should be as a well watered garden,
and that he would not cease to work might
ily among us, till all should be made to see
and taste his great salvation.
Truly we can say that God has been
good to ns since we have met together.—
To believers it has bepn a refreshing sea
son ; and to impenitent sinners we loudly
trust that it will be accompanied with
abundant benefit. Harmony and brotherly
love have presided in our councils. The
word preached seems to have been accom
panied with the unction of the Holy Spirit
and to have been received with diligent at,
tention.
And may we not trust, in confident anti,
cipation, to the Lord of the Harvest, that
the seed which has thus been sown in faith
by his servants, will be raised up by the
mighty power of our God for his own hon. I
our and glory.
It causes us sincere grief to be obliged to
state, that there are still some atpong us
opposed to the cause of Missions. Dear
Brethren, let us not exercise unkindly feel’
ings towards them, but rather pray for
them. Let us wrestle with God, that the
veil which darkeos their understandings
may be removed, and that by the eolight
uing influencft of the Holy Spirit, they may
have a spiritual discernment of oor dear
Redeemer’s farewell injunction—“ Go ye
into all the world and preach the Gospel to
every creature.”
Finally, brethren, persevere in the good
cause. If we are permitted the high hon
our of being co-workers with Christ in the
extension ofhis kingdom, let none ofus light
ly esteem this exalted privilege. We will
conclude in the words of a very eminent
advocate for Missions, and one Who was
himself extensively engaged in the cause.
After discussing at length the necessity of
Faith in Christ for the justification of the
sinner, and his acceptance in the sight of
God, he makes the following eloquent and
unanswerable appeal in behalf of *endin
the Gospel to the heathen. “ How shall
they believe in whom they have not heard,
and how shall they bear without a preach
er ? And how shall they preach except they
be sent ? These are Ihe sentiments of an
inspired apostle. Let (hem be oorg also;
and let our actions correspond thereto, ’till
the happy day come, when the sun of right
eousness shall have arisen on every be
nighted corner of the world. Amen.
CHARLES 0. SCRIVEN, Moderator.
Henry J. Ridley, Clerk.
BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION.
The annual meeting of the Baptist State
Convention of South Carolina, was held at
Coosawatchie, on the 4h December last,
and continued to the Blh. The Rev. B.
Manly, of Edgefield, preached the intro
ductory sermon. Delegates attended from
the Charleston, Edgefield, and Savannah
River Associations; from (be Education
“and Missionary Society of Saluda ; and
from the Fellowship Benevolent Society;
and the Rev. Mr. Mercer attended as mes
senger from the General Association of
Baptists of Georgia.
The following gentlemen were elected
officers and Agents:—Rev. Dr. Furman
President, Rev. W B. Johnson Vice Pres
ident, Rev. B. Manly Secretary, and Col.
Abner Blocker Treasurer ; Agents—Rev.
Messrs. J. B. Cook, William Dosgev. J.
Landrum, B. S. Screven and J. Graham,
and Thos. Gillisoo, Esq.—who form the
Board of Managers for Ihe present year.
The collecting Agents reported, shat,
owiog to the disasters suffered throughout
the State this year, and particularly by the
planting interest, the majority of them had
attempted nothing ; yet, in general, such
effort'* as had been made, had been crown
ed with much success.
The committee appointed last year to