Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-06-18
COMMUNICATION.
orv,cERs. TO YOUR PosTs !!

a., ,nat day we must endeavor to dlstln-
o,,;sb ourselves in common with the mill
tary in other places. 1t is a proud gay III
t..o,n.,s Of our country. On that day
,,e declared ourselves free ana inoePeh-
dent nation, by our Declaration ansoi'-
ing ourselves from all ties with o'e ca:
ps;.,;, II becomes every officer, at tins
,.,,orto,t crisis. when the face OF the
,lobe Is undergoing a complete change TO
lssr, his duty and be ready to march into
the Geld. when our country demands our
.d We do not know the particular hour
when necessity shall make us soldiers In
n,.ct;ee. or when the countless hosts OF
ambitious Europe may invade our happy
shores. 1t was the opinion Of states
man ALWAYS correct. and who seemed to
he gifted with the spirit ofprophecy' tha'
nation in order to escape war; must De
DreDared for it. Are we prepared Tor II
Are cur officers and soldiers conscious OF
their ability to meet an enemy. would
wish the militia laws strictly enforced
Give every man musket, make him unl-
form liimse euen according to law. Al
most any Kind Of uniform is better than
none. Is seems to me, that men march
better and take more pains to learn the du-
ties Of soldier, where they are uniform
Cd. The reason probably is. that they
know that something is expectedfrom them
when they wear the cmbiemscfthe soldier.
Wien man places an epaulct on his shoul-
der, he thereby signifies himself his coun-
try's champion in battle. He is then taught
TO know, that when one accepts military
commission lie " should no longer think
of dying in feather bed Our 1o!un-
tesr companies are not completed. call
on the Young men to come forward and
enroll themselves in some uniform compa-
nv. The expence is not much. is tri-
fling. Let them shew o disposition to raj
IL around the standard ofliberty, to catch
the military spirit of their foretathers,
to teach the warning nations Of Europe,
that tho we enjoy peace, yet we are really
to receive them when they please to visit
Ms. If the officers will exert themselves
with activity, We shall see in short time
a body of militia capable OF doing honor to
any country.
We could once boast of militia as
GOOD ard well disciplined as any in the IL
MON. We had officers capable Of teaching
and perfecins them in all the necessary
duties. Since then, there has been re-
yoiutien in our camp. Old officers have
poue, and others gil their places. They
no,c have it in their power to restore us to
orr ancient sD;cndor. to display their mi
litayy talents, and by industry, study and
y1a!, IrlUSiOIiu IL hheo I"
we'll regulated band. The attempt is dit
feult, but the task is easy. 1t only re-
o,,;;es resolution and firmness. Bat once
begin the attack on the old system, and 1T
:, i'll soon give way. March on with sisor
and a sirm step, and before YOU think you
b.,. Gained your point, the object will be
ACCOMPLISHED. Ii we cannot reduce the
citadel at ens blow, We can gradually un-
.I.rmine It. We are we'll persuaded that
martha! spirit still exists amongst us,
which will excite US to deeds eli honorable
came. aud bv ,helove of liberty glowing in
oar. ,.,reas,s, will be prompted to adopt a
sris;lary SYSTEM, verectins lustre on its
TX