Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-11
Congress.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES
DE8ATE on the 6iNfor the classification Of
fhe Militia offhe United States.
TUESDAY, Feb 10

DIT. ~. Gays Sreech continued.
by the Census OF 1900 those over 81 and
under 20 were between 100 and 200, 900
men. To this add for the inc rease since by
the rule just laid down &c, 900; which will
make 900 under % and over 81. De-
duct from this number or 5000, for those
unit for service. For the sake of round
numbers deduct 5000, which will leave 24o,-
600 able men. We willsuppose wanting at
any one time 80 or 10000 at each of the
three great points have mentioned, which
would still leave enough at home tn supply
the succession and DEFICIENCIES. Out of this
class OF men then between 81 and % could
be called out sufficient for service at anv
one time, from 90 to 100000 and leave dou-
bic that number still in rcqusitien If how
ever 1t Should be thought that $40, 900 would
NOT be sufficient number, we have only to
taAe all under 81 instead of 20 Those be-
tween 20 and 81 added to the others would
form body OF 100000 men without taking
any under II or over OF. 1t is about this
time OF life, IS Or 81, when a man begins
10 know mankind; they have then sown their
oats, as we generally say; they then wish
10 settle and see family rising up before
ann. At about 81 or % they feel vigorous,
and wish to slew their activity and strength.
IN running, tumbiing and wrestling; they
'hink themselves great men they wish TO
travel and see the world they have a ro-
wing disposition. This is the moment TO
lay hold OF them, and make them good SOL
dlers. know well that it will be said by
some that it is an invidious distinction "a
| stop at 90 or 27 Why nav rot the same
Ne said or stopping at Is or beginning at 13?
II IS SAID that this classification will tearup
the old militia system. ] do not care how
soon 1t is pucked by the roofs; we have
had enough oft. Why persist in a system
waich we cannot Get along with What is
;he consequence: 10 shew what that IS, it
IS only necessary 10 read the report of the
Secretary of War. Under an excrron of
all the energies of the com handing officers.
itJer the insult of the 22d of June las, on the
chesapeake after the Executive officers
had eXerted themselves To procure he best
Information upon the subject of the militia
held IN requISItIon, what is the result? The
report Just mentioned will shew tina. You
cannot rely with confidence on the militia i'm
lis present state. Nor can YOU on volun-
teers. These last win do for a moment at
ne commencement of a war. In ca,. of
INVASION tney will do very well for the mo.
ncnt. They do not so out with "A view of
brushing their own coat, washing their
SHIRTS, and 70 cook their victuals they ex-
pect to call for the best of every thing nj e.
very house Snme gentlemen volunteers
went down lately to Norfolk from Peters
burg and Richmond. they conceived them
selves on {; level with the officers il would
not do; they came home disgusted, and you
Will not IT them to go again Vhat was
the case during the last war? When 4 large
troop OF volunteers was raised II know the
fact, had a brother amongst them, and can
therefore speak ofit) they came prancing
to General Washington The old general
asked them what they could do Fight for
our country, said they. Wil YOU go into
camp with the army and do regular duty
They answered no You have my thanks
then gentlemen, SAID rho veteran, 20 home
again. This was only TO make a sheW
they intended nothing else they NAV
do Tor moment /; but there must be
method and regularity in our army Ii will
not co 10 have large body of men coIlec-
ted Tor any purpose, without il. And there
lore II is that as the great mass Of our mi.
MIA how stand, no reliance can be placed
upon them. IL will nOt answer to RELY OH
regular troops. IL is easy enough TO raise
A standing army, but it is difficult tn dis
oand them. We had at the close of the
last war an awful testimony Of the truth Of
this No,hing but the vast weight Of cha.
racter Of general Washington, who descen
ding from his high office of commander in
CHIEF mixed With them as brother soldier,
could have prevented them from revolving
see what clam0r Is now raised and ra-
mors atioat through the country about your
standing army OF 5000 men. Get a man
sufficiently popular for commander in chief
oi a large standing army and what sort of
government should we soon have We may
shudder even 20 think Of what might be the
result. Look at the Contrary side as now
proposed TO Regulate the MILITIA. You
take them from the bosom of their families
for one year. At the end OF that term they
VIII be anxious to return home. Mutiny
VIII not arrest them. With avdity they
VIII return tear OF JOY will bid them well
come.
Gentlemen say the bill does rot give us
detail sufficient. We can FIX all this when
~e have once passed upon the principle
This repeat; nearly one year has elapsed
aiuce The outrage committed ON the Chesa.
Proke, u 10 return Of volunteers or militia
This Roes 10 sbew that volunteers are moi
n b. relied on, and also tina; the militia
avs srr defective.
! hope we have shewn that we have
strong reasons to suspect Al the present
militia system IS not the best that con be
1eWsed. We have shewn this from the
BEST testimony in our power frum The a.
doPHOn Of the constitution To this day.