Arming the State.
It is the dictate of common prudence that the State of Virginia should be thoroughly armed, and prepared as promptly as possible for the defence of her soil and independence. This should be the first duty of the Legislature. Time ought not to be lost in words.--The time for words has gone by. He is the greatest orator now who is most eloquent in action. It must be borne in mind that Wide-Awake military organizations of the North are being drilled, disciplined and prepared for military duty of some kind or other. What that duty may be, we do not know. Among the most striking characteristics of the people with whom we have to deal are their forecast, reserve and secretiveness.--Old John Brown, living a year near Harper's Ferry, and keeping his own counsel so completely as to be suspected by nobody, is but a type of the whole Puritan family. If the wars of the Cavaliers and Roundheads are to be renewed on this continent, we hope the descendants of the Cavaliers will learn a lesson from the Past, and avoid that rashness, impulsiveness and contempt of a brave enemy, which made the most splendid courage unavailing. To be prepared perfectly and thoroughly for war, is the best course to secure peace; or, if peace cannot be secured, to repel the assaults of open and secret enemies.
