Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1804-12-06


event, the hrR prehdent 10 his fpeech
of the 9Th of January, 1890, called the
attention of Congrefs, 10 the great
bu6nels of providing for the national
defence in the following words g A
free people ought not only to be arm
ed, but difciplinsd, TO which end, an
uniform and well digefed plan is re-
quiiite." Ad.ng under the fame i'm.
preilion in his fpecch on The a5th of
O6tober, 1891, he again reminded
Congrels of the Militia, as the great
depoitary of national force; fpcaking
CT the feveral objects refcired 10 The
confederation OF Congrels, in refer
ring to the Militia he obferves {: +" The
firlt is certainly an Object OF primary
Importance, whether they are viewed in
reference to the national iecurity, or
10 the iatisiaetion of the conmu7
nifty, or to the preiervation OF order;
in connection with this, the eltablilh.
inent of competent magazines and ar
ienals, and the Notifications naturally
prelent themfelvcs to confederation.
The fafety Of the United States under
divine Protection, ought to relt on
the BATS Of lyaematic & fold arrange
ments, ,expofcd as little a: poilIble to the
hazard Of fortuitous circumhsnces."
&C Thefe recommendations being
con6dered as relating exclutively 70
The Militia, gave rife toa law more
efeStuaIly TO provide for the narionai
defence, by eitablilhing an uniform
Militia throughout ths United States. }
The PreGdenr again recurring to the
Militia, as the fafc and adequate de-
fence OF the nation, in his ipeech on
the third Of December, 1893, after
fpeaking of the nccefiiy OF procuring
arms & other military apparatus, EN-.
phatically obierveS Sc Nor can iuch
arrangements with fuch objects, be ex.
poied to the ceniure or jealouiy OF the
warmeIt friends of Republican gov
eminent. They are incapable Of abule
in the hands ola Militia, who ought TO
pollels a pride in being the depoiltory
of the force of the Republic, and may
be trained to degree OF energy equal
10 every military exigency Of the
United States. But it's an enquiry
which cannot be too folemnly pur-
Iued, whether the act has organized
them 70 as to produce their full eifctt."
Ard again, after the Militia had de-
monltraled their efficacy in promptly
marching to iippreis an oppoiition to
the laws in pennlylvania, on the 10Th
of November, 1894, in his ipeech the
preidcnt obfcrves :--'' The deviling
and eaablIhing a well regulated Mill
tie, would be a genuine iource OF
L,gillative honor, and pertstt title
10 public gratitude. therefore en-
tsrtain hope, that the preient leilion
will not pats, without carrying TO its
full energy, the power of organizing,
aiming, and dilciplinipg the Militia,
and thus providing in the language OF
the Contribution, for calling them
forth to execute tie laws Of the Union,
iupprcls inlurre6tions and repel inva-
fons, as auxiliary to the llare of our
defence to which Congrels can never
too frequently recur; they will NOT
omit to enquire whether the ioltisica-
tons which have been already licenced
by law, be com menfurate with our ex-
igencies." Theie quotations requireno
illuiration. They demonltrate the
principle contended tor by the c eneral
Adembly. Until the fifth Congrefs
this principle appears to have been du.
ly reipeSted. 1t was then materially
varied by the fubllitution ofa military
ellablilhment, and by volunteer corps
4 oflicered by the Pre!ident, and not by
he States as the Contribution requires,
thaSthe Militia hould be, at the fame
time refuhng 10 arm and equip any
portion OF the Militia for the purpoles
Of defence.
NJ - o.