Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-03

/ thoughts upon the circumstances before the
District Court. Here are arms rlanu.
featured and the power to dc more. But
where is the spirit of Virginia! do not
see the youth acquiring the knowledge OF
! arms, nor ofthose principles called tactics,
without which arms are comparatively of
no USE. | can see that the youth of Virgil
ma are fond of honor, and that even i'm the
game OF chess they can discover something
worthy OF intense study, and hours and
days and nights of untired application
But II an enemy were to rear his head,
what would avail chess, nay what would
avail your Armory, without the knowle ledge
and the skill requisite to use them? These
were my reflections.
am aware that some who do not wish
to undergo the toll of military study or a
few days practice of the use of arms in the
year, VIII be prepared to say that Virgil
ma would on an emergency produce her
Hoches and Moreaus-her Desaix and her
BruneS---and that leaders of armies would
spring from the ranks in as great profu-
sion as she has produced rivals of Cicero
ana pemosthenes---of Chatham and Fox.
---but am not ready to subscribe to such
presumptionsi know they prevail, and
regret 1t, because they are dangerous to be
encouraged, Since they are founded inabso-
lutte mistake. 1t is only after long, severe
and various conflicts in actual war that ex-
perlence has supplied the wants of previous
education in mtntary affairs France lost
100000 men before Hoche, or Bruno. or
Desaix, or MOreau were heard of; the
purchase was dear, and even these newly
discovered generals were formed in a
school, where able masters and veteran
soldiers had led the way, and established
that discipline, upon which they, after a.
doping the old, made new improvements.
10 render the Virginia Arnory really
usefui and effective, the youth OF Virginia
should shew that they are not all DESTROYS
OF being officers, as was exhibited from
other quarters some Ten years ago---before-
they understand even the elements of m Ii
tary organization or movement; they should
like the youth Of Sparta and Athens and of
Rome IN her days OF true and glor Gus
pride, not distain to acquire the rude ele-
ments OF skill before they aspire To the more
| rehned. Why should not the youth of Vlrgi
II form associations in convent ent districts
for the requirement of the know.eClpr. of
arms the first elements are simple the
pfactlce would be recreation, much more
creditable than those exhibitions which
were some time ago too prevalent. The
animatIng idea of patriotism would accom-
pany them i'll their recreations, and 5 &C .etv
: would feel doubly assured in Acknowledgement
and valor of her youth. The fatigues of a
w ek's military raining in quarter of a
Jear are not SO great as those often incur
red III search OF horse race, or a cockfght.
"a sport which am glad to find growing
into disrepute); the action of a body OF
young men military array is itselfa most
animatlng sight, and the diversity of exer-
else which it affords is inexhaustible. Be
side that the study of military knowledge
would act as stimulant to other most in
terestinS and important studies, as ali the
arts and sciences are tributaries to that OF
war. Along with these sources of pleasure
q very grateful sojace would arise: that
the Country would feel its strength-and its
security greater, in proportion to the difu.
sion OF knowledge.
The youth of Virginia will excuse these
hints from one of their admirers, though
a native of another state they are wen
meant, and am persuaded that they ne
rit the most serious attention of the soci-
city at large.
THRASYBULUS.