Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-02-16


I feelings, but in efforts. and the public ex
4 igsney imrera'ifeis commands, that ever,
cit;zsD shall do his dufy. rhrealene,
Nth vat we know not the hour when w,
mar b. sRnn,oaSd to oppose an invading
Toe. We feel, it is true, consciousness in
our physical force as we'll as patriot SIN
10 repel or destroy an invader, and il i:
This CONSEQUENCES, which may perhap;
'uli US into an inactive aecuri.y, which may
lead IN ru'a. Let me ask; are we pre-.
Dared! Ii the question be ans xered by
Itnose who werc Witnesses Of the sceEes OF
he revolution. no: oae Will answer 10 the
affirmative. Men of later times, consci.
gu, in their owa worth and patriotism, re
lying upon the justice Of their cause and
Nc general poputa;io as we'll as the re.
( sources FOR wa, viii not anticipate tha,
tdanger, which perhaps is now ready TO
barst upon them. War is "a science which
cannot b. undsrs,ood by The speculate an
ioF the CLOSET or th. harangees Of the TO-.
rum. Experience alone, derived from a
personal devotion 10 us duties, will qua lfy
those who may engage, for the useful SER
vice.
The situation of this country demon;
ssrases hat s,sn- general eif1rts should
DC m ide 20 iaspire every one, not only
with rario.ic feciiags, ba: with military
c ,ts.usiasui.
Relieving that every means, mos. like
~ 10 promote these Objects, ought II
be used, have undertaken 10 recon-.
mend those things which have occurred
80 my mind My opinions are cot SUI
n'tted as dogmis, but "a sugge stions, aad
,ugltaeioaS TO others, 10 com pare th sir
tendencies and estimate their value. bS
.iic Cal IA lights OF reaso1. Perhaps her
suggestions may b.. made, and thus tae
! zeal Object for which these sentences are
written, will be attained.
VIII no, every friend TO The public wei
Ire admit, that in times Of peril aud ala m,
when ous naaona! security depends upon
the means OF defence, that tyery sugges.
lion, no matter how or by whom made,
which has tendency TO enlarge the stock
oil k 10 slsdse, II increase the numser OF
ideas, and TO excite The true emotions. oil
patriotism, will deserve to be axamined,
weighed and compared!
10 form an atn,y 10 suit the impending
| danger, aIi 10 inspire il with spirit of
pasrsss,ssn, m,ia4gy pride. and honof; to
rendec i. efficient, a1d 10 excite pubic
conf ence, are considerations which d..
serve the serious reflection Of every legis.
lator, pa.riot and p1iiuic,sn.
The meas heretofore used OF raising
troops by appoiuim:n made by the 60
vcrnmsnt, and by recruiting paEties, are
not calculated 10 produce thoss desirable
objects just noticed. He who enters into
service Ia the chara sl.r of an officer. be.
tore he has learn, how to perform the du.
ties Of soldier, is not calculated, at once,
to.iHspire confidence in his conduct, or
respect for his person.
When a nation is bound to obey 4 mas.
ter, the riRer may DIVIDE add subdislde
his power at pleasure, and every officer in
MS particular station, becomes ths re.
preventative CT his master. But when the
nation is its own master, all powers de.
rived from other sources will be examin4
ed with a jealous and inydlous eye. La
ZINES Of peace, when the public feel ns is
not aroused by alarms, such appoint
! rHen,s may be tolera' ed nor will GeSy
that for The ordinary purposes Of go
yernment, appoiatm snts OF this descriy ion
may be tolerated, because even though
the sc ect:ons should tail upon unworthy
| Objects, an irrepnable injury is doi j Ike.
! ly TO ensus. Blu when whole nation l.
TO be anim sted whsn all that is dear 10
people is at hazard, The appointments
oithose 10 whom the national defence Is 10
be committed, should be drawn as nearly
as possible from the bosom oil the nation.
Fame, honor, rsns, should be the pri
rs Tor which every ono, however ob
scurc, may eoter the Isis OF comp tiIion.
rbe private soldie. should not be chilled
with the reiiesliop, that the laufels and
benefits due Tor his exploits, were deslin.
ed 70 give fame aad rank 10 lnselled
fayorie, who perhaps, might want every
ceq iislie 10 achieve an action of ga,l&n
cry.
To excite public and general enlbusi.
,sm, sn equality of rights and privileges
,egh' TO he established, nor should ia,
r4Gs Of c5:scr ever be conferred Oh one
sho knew not The duties and respected
the s.ution and character Of soldier.
Examples TO illustrate and support these
laFsumsn.s may be derived from ths H.
Tory Of every nation, when, in times Of re.
voluJon, o. a general military ex;rtion
hui nbie merit has oclstript tbe pride 81
| birth. such vas the case In .hose con