Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-06-22

embrace them? Will he not .discoun-
tenance every attempt TO wound the
dignity of the press. that great palladi-
UNI of liberty, when urged to prosti-
tuition aud abuse? And will not IN
ternal peace and happiness, willnot or
der at home and responsibility abroad,
be thus againrestored. to this great and
respectable state?
Washington, the immortal Wash
iington, by his farewell address on the
subject, an address worthy of record
on tablet ofadamant, calls on you in
strains of irresistible eloquencc TO pre-
serve your. National Union.
The great and good Adams, with
his capacious mind and extensive in
floence, follows the bright example of
the father and friend Of his country to
preserve that inestimable blessing
And may we not hope that Divine
Providence, so often our Almighty
friend In distress, will afford us aid
and support, and grant an happy issue |?
The next object of importance, 10 which,
gentlemen, permit me TO call your atten.
4 ~'O'y 70 ehS ohDTIpdTCQ TO enter
into details, my observations must be gen.
eral. The militia is the great depositary
| OF our Liberty and 1ndepe ndencs it is the
| hrst and last hope of our country. Let the
| be inefficient. and sudden will be our
TRANSITION to slavery.
Previously to the revolution, the greatest
care was taken to keep the militia in an
unorgani-ed and torpid state. Indeed in
this and other provinces, patriotic EXERT.
Gus were made with little effect to coua..
teract this slavish policy, Bat the provin..
eial executives, always opposed 10 the in.
terests OF the people, appointed militia
| omcerss subservient toregal purposes; and
wnsn war with the mother country was in =
sVitaoie. one OF the first important mea.
sures adopted, was the Reorganization of
the whole militia. Since thar period. this
state by its own authority, and afterwards
in subordination to the federal government.
have paid marked attention to the sub.
| ject. The result has done honor to both
governments their measures have excited
that martial spirit which merits every al.
tention and encouragement.
The materials composing the militia, are
! independent aspiring citizens whose ambi.
tious minds never were, and with the ut.
! most confidenGe it is hoped never will be.
.subdued by foreign domination. Infinitely
| will they preferto finish their existence
with immortal honor in the field, to a sur
render of their beloved country to naughty
and tyrannical invaders--a country the
BIRTH right OF themselves and of those most
dear to them.
Such materials for officers and privates,
are not exceeded, il equalled OH the globe.
Organized, armed, accou,red, and Clad.
| they are in this state as we'll disciplined as
che nature of the case will admit. But is
1t not possible to complete their discipline !?
And is It not an object worthy of every at
tention, and requisite expense2
The Revolutionary army. for several years
after 1t was formed, was but an establish.
ed militia; and vet never was an army
composed OF more meritorious officers and
| privates. 1t is deeply to be regretted that
their services were not better rewarded
| Their exertions to attain discipline did
them great honor; bat until the arrival of
dsciP,inarfan from the family of Freder.
lex the great, the measure was impracti-
cable. BY his skill, military order sprang
out OF confusion, American corps were socn
| equal If not superior to veteran enemies,
and these were convinced that our federal
| grounds were too sacred to be trodden by
| foreign invaders.
Should measures be pursued with success
in all the States to attain this very pre-
tant objec:, and our union unimpiared and
confirmed, be supported by completely
disciplined militia. then may the u. States,
in their defence, bid defiance to the world
and rest in safety.
Ifeel. gentlemen, the obligation Of duty,
to turn your attention, for moment, to the
! federal government
! Previously TO the revolution, when clouds
collected and portended political tenn.
pest, il was predicted by ministerial ad
versaries, that cur federal league " would
be rope Of sand" This, in great de-
gree was verified by the form of the con.
federation. The change from that to the
| federal constitution, applied powerfully to
the feelings and interests of the communi.
~ at large, and produced the necessity of an
accommodation. This, having been wise.
ly adopted and the requisite amendments
having bean sanctioned, a system of fede.
raj government exists, which embraces the
general, aud nearly the universal appro-
baton Of the people.
The FIRST candidate for president, unit
ed the public sulfrages but in regard to
his successors, divisions ensued, being the
result of the different territorial, CONNER.
cisl and political views and interests of the
states (which in the beginning had little or
no activity. The peace, order and dignI-
~ which, nevertheless prevailed in the fc
deral elections, and the highest panegyrics
on the people, and on the form Of their go