Nashville Union And American

The Call for the Militia.

We have scarcely a doubt that the Governor's Proclamation, calling out thirty thousand of the Militia of the State, will be promptly responded to by the brave men of Tennessee, voluntarily, during the present week. We have heard of a large number of companies being formed in this city and county, to be tendered to the Confederate States, and the work is going bravely on. It is now evident that Davidson county will furnish any number of brave and devoted men, that may be called for among her patriotic population. In this connection, we wish to make a correction of an error, which inadvertently appeared in our columns yesterday morning, with regard to calling out the militia for the defence of our soil against a threatened invasion. The word "drafting" was erroneously applied to the calling of a detail of the militia into active service, to repel an invasion of the enemy. It is not, in the reproachful sense in which that word is used, drafting men, to call into active service the militia or a portion of the militia of the State, for the defence of the State, when they are to be discharged so soon as the danger may disappear. This is the legitimate province of the militia, to defend the State against invasion, and without it the militia system would be a farce. They are not received for any specified time, but will be discharged from immediate service, whenever the Governor, who is their Commander-in-Chief, shall think the danger of invasion has passed and shall so order. We can see no reproach that will attach to any man's name in thus serving for the defence of Tennessee. There are thousands of men, who, it is impossible to spare from their homes and families, for a long campaign, who, nevertheless, can perform this service, that will render the danger of invasion less, which must necessarily be brief. Many cannot volunteer for twelve months, who can yet spare a few weeks in a campaign for the security and defence of their homes. Almost the entire military force now in readiness, to defend New Orleans against the invader, we understand, is composed of this kind of force, citizen soldiers, who remain in their counting rooms, offices and work-shops every day until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they close their doors and repair regularly to the parade ground, where they drill until night, in regular corps. These citizen soldiers are ready at a given signal of alarm, to rally to the defence of the city at any moment during the day or night. It is true they do not go into camp, but this is because it is as convenient for the defence of the city, to remain at their homes, and rally to their respective rendezvous at an agreed signal. This cannot be done in a less densely settled country than a large city, and for this reason different rendezvous of the troops are necessary. It may also become necessary to cross the State line to prevent the entrance of the enemy's force upon our soil. These organizations of citizen soldiery are also very useful in war, as furnishing a nucleus for volunteer regiments as rapidly as they may be called for by the Government. Some of the best regiments from Louisiana now in the Confederate service have been created in this way, among others, the celebrated Washington Artillery Battalion, which did such effective service on the glorious plains of Manassas. It becomes more and more evident that our militia system should be perfected, and the entire adult male population required to drill regularly from time to time. An invasion of our extended border, either on sea or land, is liable to occur at any moment during the present war, as the enemy are determined to worry and harass our people, as much as possible, at every point. Such invasions are only formidable from the fact that it is always uncertain where they may strike. But if our militia were properly armed and drilled, they could be rallied at any time and to any point, to repel the attack, foil the enemy's plans and entrap him into a surrender. It is one of the first maxims of free Government, that a well organized militia is the firmest bulwark of freedom. A people who have such a system, well perfected, can never be conquered. The ridicule into which the militia has heretofore fallen, in the South, has arisen from the fact of its imperfect organization, and the incapacity and ridiculous pretensions of the officers, selected to command. This should be at once remedied by a well digested and matured militia system. Our Legislators can perform no more valuable, desirable or important service to the people than by devising and enforcing such a system. If this were done, we should hope to see our citizens take a high and patriotic pride in sustaining it, by complying with all its regulations and requirements, and by even exhibiting a readiness to march, in its ranks, to the battle field and there vindicate it from the unjust and unfortunate reproach that has fallen upon it. The Legislature has remedied some of the defects, as far as it is possible, in so short a time, by providing that when the militia go into the field, they shall elect their officers anew, and thus march to meet the enemy under leaders, chosen for their capacity, in view of the emergency. Our sacred soil being threatened, we are compelled to do the best we can, under the defects arising from a long neglect, and to repair the evil, as well as we may, by promptness, industry and energy in preparing for whatever conflict may come. It is no time to despise the militia or reproach those who may be called to do duty in its ranks, when the enemy are thundering at our gates, nor is it a time to indulge in useless regrets or criminalities. But as we have said, we are satisfied that the immediate necessity for employing the militia will be superseded by the prompt rally of volunteers, at the call of the Governor. This should not however prevent us from proceeding to organize and drill the militia, with energy and system, so as to be prepared for any other emergency in this war, which now promises to be protracted beyond previous expectations.

First East Tennessee Rifle Regiment. This Regiment, raised here under Brig. Gen. Carroll's immediate supervision and now under command of Lieut-Col. White, arrived here yesterday and encamped at Camp Sneed. Brig. Gen. Wm. H. Carroll also arrived last evening, and, we learn, will shortly be followed by the rest of his brigade, which now consists of four regiments. In this connection we may state, upon a well authenticated rumor, that Major General Crittenden has been assigned to this military division—embracing East Tennessee, and several counties in Southwestern Virginia—and will probably arrive in this city to-morrow.—Knoxville Register, Nov. 22.