Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-27

NS''fi aENlRftN0 NNut AAlsANid SlibL ~
ct tUe saUe uros refusing TO arm and c
cup a'y portion OF the militia for the pUr-
poses vi GIic;.ce.
"'rhe sol,citule ofthe Virginia assem-
5 hiy lpr d',baudl"g the army and reins;aI-
in!c the Erca; constitutional principle OF
r7tiun>l oeiencr, is greatly MGR, asod by
retegii7g 10 the enormous sums nppropri-
scd for supporting the ARMY and navy.
UuTing The lat year, whilst money was
prccured ~ eight PEI centum, the apprc-
pria,ious for the support of The army alone
mounted to 4 100000 dollars-lnr iorti
fcations 700 900 for the raw Z $4,000
--ar,ounting in he whole TO $3.50 600,
eXcluaiyeiy Of great and unascertaircd
sum of voluntary subscriptions for build
lrg and cqui Ping vessels of war Tor which
the sTb> c. bees receive an interest at SIN
1ec centum.-T nus imposing an animal
dCbt or an annual tax upon The people of
nearly two dollars fur every individual
throughoutihe United S,ae5---to say moth
ing Of The moral and political evils inci-
oentto a>tandius army, aud some of winch
ave aire 2dy developing themselves IN the
United Sja.esI Considering the grea, dis
tance of the United 5 ates from the pow
er(ui nations of Europe, the natural
strength Of the country, The spirit Of tie
people, and the fate OF one invading eSpc-
Timcnt made =, time and under circum-
stances, infinitely uuiavorable 10 the Unit
cd States compared with their present 81
tuaticn; ;hc general assembly arc persuad-
ed that es long as the nations OF Europe
continue at war with each other, no Tor
inidehle invasion is TO be app'ehcndcd al
all, ror suJ,len and fortnid able invasion
at any time.i Under this prospect OF things
thc general assembly hold it as the die
tate OF true policy in the Federal Govern
1nent to husband the public resources, to
arrange and prepare The Militia, and 10
cultivate harmony by removing as far as
possible, Causes OF jealousy and disappro.
baton. With these advantages il Cannot
b doubted that the United States would
be in better posture Tor facing any dan
gerthat can be seriously apprehended than
can be given them by the present militia
~ establishment, accompanied with the
anticipation of resources, and the accumu.
lations CT public debts and taxes insepara-
bic iherefrom.'f
From this concise view Of the measures
and principles Of the Washington admin
stlaiiOn, it is manifest that thew conceded
with those pursued by The present. By
both militia is considered 4" a. the ONLY
safe and adequate defence OF the nation"
Washington declares" that tkey NAV
b. trained 10 a degree of energy equal 10
every military exigency of the United
States; )" and Jefferson pronounces ga well
disciplined militia cur best reliance in
peace, and Tor the first moments of war,
till regulars may relieve them" Wash
ington in all his annual communications
10 congress, recommended the improve
ment of the system for the organization of
the militia; Jefferson, in all his messages,
has evirced he same sense Of the import
ance of The object. o. this his lir7, me-
sage affords good specimen of Tie spir;;
OF all the rest:
"a statement" says he, d" has been
formed by The Secretary of War, or MA
ture confederation Of al lie posts and sta
lions, W-Ife @Grrfocs wil be exEediert
and ot me number of mon requisite ter
each Fari"son. The vhole amour, IS con
sidarab'y short OF ,he presen; military es-
tehi'shrnent For the surplus no part,cp-
- tfn~ t'ai' W P,>'tiNNN4 tALs Oi Vs.. Gt-Ce ID
against invasion, their number is a. notb
Ing nor is It con9;derch needlul o. safe
that Standing army should be KEEP, ar
in time OF pace, for that purpose. Tn.
certain % we mast ever be Of the pa.ticu-
lar point in Our circumference where an
enemy win choose 20 invade us, the only
force which can be- ready at every point, |
and competent to oppose them, is the 10 !
dY Of aeigh5orinG citizens, rs formed in /
10 a militia. On these, collected from the !
parts most conven EN-, in numbers propor-
toned to the invading force, it is best to /
rely not only 10 meet the first attack, but
If it threatens TO be permanent, to main !
tain the defence until regulars may be en- I
gagged 10 relieve them. These considsr /
atlons render it important that we should, /
at every session, continue TO amend the !
defccls, which from time 10 time shew
themselves, in the laws for regulating the !
militia, until they are sufficiently pelrea : !
nor should we now, or at any time, sspa.
rate, until we can say we have done every !
thing for the militia, which we could do /
were an enemy at orr door"
It's true that under neither adrninistra- |
ton. has that system been carried TO the I.
perfection OF which il is susceptible, and !