Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1807-06-08

which is Of no ISIS coniequence to the
other States in the nation, than it is TO
this Commonwealth. When we contem-
plate the immealurable flores we give TO
the iea the Vat extent of territory our
national dominion fpreads itCelf over, we
are obliged to confeiS the error, of reli-
ance on fanding army. for an effective
defence againft the invafon Of a for
rign enemy. To preftrve the forms of
war, with the principles and feelings Of
military dhcipline, fome regular troops
are necefdry, but our defence NUT re-
main with the militia. They are a per-
petual guard againf internal connections,
an intinnble power to fhield country a.
gainif its external enemies. The foil
muf be protected by its owners. This
deicription includes all the people, be-
cau{e all have an equal right to acquire *
poieis fee limple efates. Impref1ed with
theie lentimentS, the militia ihall have my
unceafng attention througouht theyear.
Peace with all the world, is the great
object of our National Councils yet, if
we would maintain 70 Invaluable bleffing
we mutt be prepared to meet every hof-
tile aggrefion, and to repel every invad-
ing iAfult. A dependence on any other
power for afliftanc-, will, finally, involve
US in difficulties, from which we cannot
extricate ourielvcss without great expehce
aud danger. A treaty of alliance mutt o.
pen 4 wide door to the influence of a
foreign nation il would weaken the
natural pillars Of our national indepen-
dance.
Y Europe, as the luxurious Warrington
has told us, ''has a fet Of primary interefts
which 10 US have none, or very remote
relation. Hence fhe mutt be engaged in
frequent controversies, the caules of which
are eiientially foreign TO our concerns."-
ThOfe cautious ientiments have been
carefully adopted BY the preient Prelident.
From the wildom, firmnefs and modera-
tion Of his meaiures, under the favour Of
God, We remain the quiet fpe6tators Of
thofe waiting wars which the lituation cf
European powers may have rendered ex-
pcdient, or neceifary, amongf them, but
BY which they are deluged in blood, and
oPprefied with expenfes.
Should a fuitable proportion Of our
militia il the United States, be trained 10
a proper degree Of dfcipline, and Be pro-
perly armed, though the frt column Of
an invading enemy might not be infantly
repelled. yet the deciiive appearance Of
victory would be fOon exhibited on the
fandard of our union.
1t is true, that the art Of war, like 9TH
er arts, is 70 be, mott perfectly, learned
from practice and experience but this l
a bloody and an expenlive method Of 7c-
quiring knowledge. In nation, VII
it is not received as all 'cftabliih1d truth,
that war is the natural fate of man in d
country, where nc irvafOn is to be expect
ed, but from the error or raihnefs, not
from the interef Of a foreign power, the
art Of war may be iuficieltly cultivated,
at moderate exp1nfe, by military fchools,
and otherwilc, in time of peace. Each
fate in the nation has the fame interef in
the diciplinc Of the militia Of the others,
as it has in that of its own and therefore,
there can be no improperly in contem-
plating this, as a fubje6t of national con-
cerRment. Whether you, Gentlemen, will
conceive it to be your duty, to ufe your
influence with Congreis, on an affair Of
fuca magnitude, as far as it fhdll comport
with the National and State Contributions
or whether you will turn your attention to
the militia Of your own State alone,
cheerfully fnbmit to your wifdom. But
this venture to affirm, that all neglect or
delay in this budnefs, is incompatible with
the iafety of the country.
No foreign power will dare to invade
our conntryy in project Of conqucf. un-
leis the United States, like the ancieRt re.
publcs, by controversies and animoaties
amongf themfelves, fhall furnilh their enc
mics with the hopes as well as the means
Of fuccefs. To prefervc union of inter-
eft and entiment, 70 abfolutely necefary
10 our exafence as a nation, iealoufies are
to be laid aide, charity cheriihed, and a
reciprocity Of affection and civility to be
exhibited. All the fates muft be the coun-
try of the citizens Of each, and each State
the country Of all. Our national union,
glowing on the public opinion, is the beft
defence Of our iovereigrty and thoie
who would check it there, would fever the
root from whence the tree of Liberty
draws III coplous ftreams, its principal
nonriihment.
The chief magifrate Of the nation being
an elective officer, the voice of the major
ity, taken according to the form of the
ConGituion, mutt be Deceive in the choice
it is the voice of all. To treat the election
with dilreiped is to treat the Contribution
with contempt. Nothing can tend more
10 dcrogate from the refpect due to us as
nation, than an appearance Of uneafnets
and d!fatisfacion at the forms and princi-
PIES Of our own governments.
GEETLEMEN,
The great improvements in agriculture
the increaie of commerce, and the encour
agcment OF me arts in our country, furniil
the mott satisfactory proofs of the per
fettiUn Of our political infitutions. Bu
the path Of public, as well as of privat,