Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-23
WAsuINGrow Cry, Jamary ig

WAsTIEGTog City, January IS.
The bill for raising Volunteer Corrs
yesterday passed the House of Representa-
tives by large majority. In the Senate IL
was read first and second time, and refer
red to select committee.
No other business Of moment has been
done in the Senate for TWO days past.
The additional .5rmy-The act for raising
an Additional Regular Force of twenty-five
tiiousad men having now become law all
predictions Of its rejection having failed the
opposition prints have undertaken to excite
dstrast and jealousy by declaring the CaD-
net, that is the Executive and the Heads of
departments; to have been opposed to *.
We apprchend these assertions 70 be as err
roneous in this case, as the passage Of this
very law has proved their predictions to have
been in another; and our belief is formed
from circumstances as they have arisen to
our view.
The President in his message to Congress
at the commencement of the session, as was
his duty, exhibited to the assembled Peon,e
his views of Public-Afairs /; in doing which.
he vert as far as he could with proDrietv ia
addressing himself to Legislative Body,
He expressed his conviction of the necessity
ora change of attitude, leading to more en-
ergetic and decisive measures. The opinion
OF the Executive, as indicated by the tenor
OF his message, cannot be, nor has it been,
mistaken. His voice was for War. the last
resort OF Republics as well as Kings, to en-
! force our rights and avenge our wrongs.
IA the face OF this public manifestation of
the views Of the Executive, confirmed and
supported as it is by his reply tor the Address
OF the Legislature of Tennessee, and his
n mo 70
told that, as less force than 25 900 men
would, in che Presidents opinion, have been
suihcientto meet~the present exigency, there
Iore he was inimical to the law as it passed.
Let us admit, tor argument sake, that in the
opinion OF the President smaller regular
force would have been sufficient. WesRou
suppose, that the Executive, ia v,rr a speci-
lie object in view, had also formed an o.
pIaion as to the quantum of force which
wondoe necessary to execute it. The ext
sency peculiarly requiring CELEBRITY OF move
ment, OF course that species oi force ought ia
be employed which could be most speediIy
and readily raised. 1t appears to US a vo-
lunteer force isof that description which can
be most easily raised, and may be most reli-
ed on Tor Immediate service; aud, that, al
though certain regular force would be ne
cessary to follow up the operations COM
menced by the volunteers, the latter may
at hrst be advantageously employed. The
regular force necessary would Of course be
the smaller, in proportion to the amounc Of
volunteer force to be employed. &Tsn tbous-
and men, the number said 20 have been de-
sired blythe Executive, we should have deem
cd, Iii this view, to have been amply suffci-
ent; and, as it was probably as great n;lTa-
Der as could be enlisted in any reasonable
time efor we trust that volunteers would be
attracted in much greater numbers by the
American standard alone, than regulars
would be by the recruiting drum and ffe>l
the authorization of larger number did APP
pear tous unnecessary, and calculated to
produce no other effect than to fasten ON the
public purse vast corps Of officers without
men to command, on services 20 perform.
Bat 1T was not for the Executive Ia designate
the force necessary ; it was for another de-
partment Of the government, which has Der-
formed its duty according torhe dictates of
ltSJude n'ent; and, in The same spirit in which
1t was authorised, we have no doubt il will be
employed in the service of the country as
advantageeusiy as possible.
but 1t has been insiluated in some prints.
because the Executive did not require so
i2rge force, that an injisposition was shewn
to follow up tha sentiments expressed in the.
message by correspondent measures There
always have been, and always will be. in
governments, as in society, men who are dis
posed 10 set up their own judgment as the
standard of infallibility; and to such men, a.
difference in opinion from them may aDDear
to be Political heresy. But, addressing our
selves TO the reason, not the passions Of men
we ask whether there be the slightest ground
for the imputation> On a reference to the
message which is the basis of the measures
adopted and in agitation, we see volunteers.
militia and regulars expressly and distinctly
recommended Having regard to the de-
tachment of militia and enrolment of volu6-
teers, Certain regular force is thought SUI
hcient BY the EXccutiye. The Legislature,
desirous OF amply Strengthening the Execu-
tive arm,>authoriSe greater force. The law
tor that purpose, without the least delay, re-
ceives the sanction of the Executive, who, if
he wish not for so large force, hesitares nor
for moment to yield his opinion to that of
the Legislature. Nay, more, he takes occa-.
Sion, in message subsequent to the passage
OF that law, to enforce his former recommen-
dation to make adequate preparations for the
support of our rights.
Within Legislature, where 1t ought to be.
not the Executive, now rests the responsible
lity; and, to them do their constituents anx-
iously look for the adoption OF such measures
as the times call fur; measures, the necessity
for which every friend to his country Ciepre-
Gates (; but which, once commenced, mus
he vigorously prosecuted to their compile
ton.
From an unity Of sentiment in all BRAN
ches of the government, we may expect CT
fcacy Of action. Without it, our chain &c
measures will prove rope Of sand Let
those then be regarded with Argus eyes,
who seek to SOW distrnst and dsunion, to ar
ray one department of the government a
gainst the other, and scatter dissen:ion in cur
nubIic cnunciIq