Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-24

ammunition, a. many persons who were
sx.mnr from military duty, were dsstl-
,n,. &c The necessary means OF defence.
a,,r.esbly TO the advice OF the Council,
-, we're. in some instances, furnished
Nth those articles. BY inspecting the
rerurns of the quarter-master-generai,
you will be convinced Of the necessity OF
obtaining further supply of small arms
and military stores, and the more SO, as
our offence on the sea-board seems al
most totally to be conhded to the mill
tia. We have IN this state several hun
dred miles of sea-coast, number OF l.
Stands near the coast are inhabited by
our citizens, and more than one hun
drea of our towns may be approached
by the enemy's ships. 1t Is obvious
therefore that only 4 maritime defence
can afford them full security. Still,
however, we should employ such means
as we possess for their protection, and
10 this eld, it will be necessary that the
whole miiitil should be armed and G.
ouipped in the best possible manner, &
ready to march at the shortest notice, &
in Case of invasion that arms should be
in readiness for every man who is able
TO bear them. In this way tits probable
that our defensive force, and the gene
raj security Of the sea.board, viii be as
great, as il portions of the militia were
drawn from every part of the State, and
stationed IN few Of the large towns on
the coast.
While the war. in which we are un-
happily involved, continues, it is 10 be
carried on only in tbs rame and by d.
rectlon of the pubic. The people Can
not act of themselves except for the ds-
fence of their possessions aid territories.
Without the commission or particular
order OF the government, they have no
right to commit hostilitics Of undertake
aay offensive expedition. In modern
warfare the troops alone carry ON rhe
war, while tic rest Of the people peace
ably follow their calliass; and if they re-
frain from hoslilities, have generally but
little to fear from the cnenly's arGcs.
For many years, anG until within late
period, the nations OF Europe have made
war with muderation AID generosity, and
in manner which proved they had not
forgotten that tacir enemies were men.
and might afterwards become friends -
Indeed war is so dreadful in its ct.
fects, and so destructive to human hap
pincss, that the law. Of nature allows of
it only in the ntmast extremity; and re-
Quires, that when it is resoitcd to, the
persons engaged in it Shall endeavor to
mitigate its horrors as far as thstr safety
will permit, by the exercise Of justice
and humanity. These principles IF the
law of nature are con6rmed by the pre-
cepts Of the Christian religion.
v hatcvcr sentiments may prevail a.
mons the people of this State cencern-
ing the justice or expectancy Of the pre-
sent war, hope and trust that they will
perform the duties enjoincd on them by
our constitution and laws, and that they
will do nothing to obstruct the govern
ment in the constitutions! measures they
may think proper to adopt. Ii those
measures arc thought to be unj ustihab:c
or particularly injurious to this part OF
the Union, lei US cherish a confidence in
the wisdom and Justice Of the other
states, and wait with patience FIR tho
remet:y provided by the constitution. In
the mean time, let us regard with alb
hsrrcnce those vioien, personal outr~ges,
which are fatal to tic peace and DIS
graceful to the character OF any people;
let Us be wa;chiul and determined to
prevent tur,ults and disorders ct every
Kind, by which our mterna' tranquility
would be endangered, and DC as willing
to indulge in others tha rieh; of express
ing their opinions Of pNblic measures, as
We are to exercise that right ourselves.
shall readily cooperate with you,
gentlemen, in any measures that may be
yi1ovght conducive 10 tbs defence and
tranquility of the state, and ,he preser-
ratien aid security Of the Union ; and
may the esd Of our fathers protect u
in this calan.itous period, dnd guide Us
III the way Of duty end safety.
CALEB STRONG.
october IA, 1872.