The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-02-11
tent knowledge in taaics hi the two lsnicr an

es only, an important opportunity for fpeedy
determination of an enemy might be loft, and
the lives of many valuable citizens put in leo.
pardy. II is therefore believed that this expe.
rimen. is inadmfiib!e.
Another view of this fubie9 has fuggefed a
Qualifications of the militia, by ages, under the
exiting organization, for the fole purpofe OF
designating thoic perfons who are under twenty
Tx years of age, as the only proper objects of
militia duty in the field except in cafes of great
emergency, and in their particular vicinage.
From eighteen to twenty one years of age, is a
period OF life in which the Young men of the u.
s. are employed in completing an education, i'm
puriuit of mechanical information, or in ac-
Qn'ripg neceiary acquaintance with fome o.
ther branch OF buhneis. occupation, or profef-
zion, on the improvement of which they cacu-
Lite to obtain fubiiItence from twenty one
TO twenty fix, they are improving their previous
requirements in their various occupations and
projections, thereby laying foundation for a
decent inpport of themfeves & families through
lFe. This is period alto, at which the young
men Of the u. S. generally engage in matrimony,
aud become chargeabe with families, all which
renders their time as dear to them from eighteen
fotwenty Ink years OF age, rs at any other pericJ
of life. ~.
II would fcem, therefore, that an arrangement
which would compel this clafs Of our citizens
, tional defence, might iutly be deemed de-
rartnrefro,n that principle of diaributve jutice,
which ought to be paramount characteristic
ofthe Government of the u. S.
That young men would better endure the
fatigues ofa long campaign than thofe more adj
vanced in life is not doubted; but whether ON
fudden emergency they would be more ufeful
in repu'ling an enemy than an equal number of
enrolled militia, on an average, from eighteen to
n r
it lhould be Confdered that the advantage is in
favour of the young men, it is confidently be-
lieved, that the advantage in that cafe, to the
public, would not be of fufficient magnitude to
jufify the government in impo6ng On them
fuch an unequal burthen.
If the propofed fyaem fhoud be adopted,
the total derange ment of the exiting organiia-
tion of the militia, mutt be the confequence.
1tmay be proper here again to remark, that
by the contribution the United States is vet-
ell in the government the power &C to provide
for organizing, arming and difciplnne the mi
litia, and for governing fuch part of them as
may be employed in the fervice of the United
States;" but the fame article ofthe conni;uii-
on is exprefs, in "reftrving to the ftates re-
pettively, the appointment of the officers, and
the authority of training the militia according
to the difcipine prsfcrbed by congrefs." BY
this arrangement in the contribution, the powers
necellary to produce an efficient militia, are di.
vided between the geacral government aud the
fate governments. In purfuance of the power
vefed in the general government, on this fnb.
Jett, congreis did, in the year 1899, pats an
aSt 10 etahliih uniform militia throuehou:
the United States, which a6f feems to embrace
all the principles in the cafe delegated to Con.
grcis. Soon after the pafaee of the law by
Congrels, confederation of the fubeSf was
aiiumed by the Legislature of all the itates, and
laws have been paiIed by all the ftates for car.
rying that fytem into effect, 70 that bv the co.
operation of the general government aud the
ttte governments, the militia are now com.
p!etely organized and Differed throughout the
union. Ii is now thirteen years fince this fyc
tenn has been in operation the people praGt
ling under IT have in great degree been &C
quainted with it and attached to it and IL
many parts the union military difcipiine Il
rapidly progreffing under il, and it cannot witt
propriety be doubted, that the militia of tin,
United States under the exiting organizatio,
are amply competent to defence againft tn,
intruhon of any invading enemy.-To derangt
this iyitem then, and introduce one totally rev
and untred, one in which it is not certain ina
the fate legifl ,tnres will concur, and which i
OF doubtful afpeet, IA it relates to the appro
hation ofthe body of the people, would, in TIN
cp'nion nt the committee, at this importan
criis of our national affairs, be putting too mucl
at ris.
They, therefore, recommend the followin,
reio!ution.
Reiolved, That it is inexpedient to adop
meainres for the Qualification, or new oreaniia
ton of the militia.
VALUABLE PROPERTY FOR SALE.
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