Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-16
e. dollars per annu m

TINS observation applied as evidently and foro; -,
case as IN any that ever was presented tolls
enumeration He said, without exaninnp very minnie.
the state OF the population of the ancient ren,,b he
RI 49, .. Il 'nignt be assumed principle cdnnon
,a 90 T - as 10 the population of the modern ro~
.. vi EUROPE that 1T was divided into two great
descriptions or classes of The ur,ed ond tbe 49,
ste Q, society 1T is not at all to be wondered at
ciat the armed should and tyrapnse over tb nm,
armed part of the people 'rsat this i the c IS s,
population under the modern governments of + L
W o~, ana 1t is the real cause of the military te>pot-
ss "hicn nave been various times established IN ;f
lerent portions in thar quarter The reat mas g re
teoPe uhder the European governments NAV he ronsi
uereu as iaoourg machine almost destitute. ~ Gerry
to'i ipuseof all preference for one species o. ro-
Verhnent over another. Is this the situation is sbe
character of.the population of the United States cer
fanny not Inc knowledge oflberty: the love, of Iier
ty the hatred of despo is, OF every kind sn;,Ii
h.ary despotsm, with the Americao neonie In, or
.ive passions and propensites.--The army Itself
would be composed OF idviduas in fuencee NV H.. ns
baai feelings and prediiectons; and some re,;nc
s oe p,aced on their Influence, in the army it,
DIT ieast a' universal disposition and pre-
ference Tor military desposn. But let NJ ,isrei.rd
TINS consideration, and suppase the Whole ar,,, 80
Gu oy one impulse tor subverting the liberties of te;r
countryside US sec how it conld be effected j. the mr..
sent state OF the population and soi,ical pst;t,iof
TINS country The people of the United States have, .
Sfeaef security against military desporism in the r ci-
mar ganlsaton OF their governments than any neonI
upon earth IT their admins traitors coutinne w enoh
to administer them WIKI all their original spirit and en-
isy' tse a'med population presents buwark of the
most perfect security How would it be possible Tor
any regular army, which all revenues nId raise
10 snouue ana urarnizc over such population pro-
teced by such admirable political stitutionsp Jet nc
IoT example, 'ake the Whole number of troops now pro-
posed to be raised25, OJ0 men, and place them Of b,
devotion OF an ambitious, enterprising chief who was
resolved upon suoverng he Liberties of this na.ionet
nam also Dem ofthe City of Vashineton
rfedent and Congress how would he he able to 6s bjs
aespotsn upon the naton9 What difficulties would ne
nave 20 SufouHe to enable him to effect his object Yor
militia re urns present aied population OF abov~
eOocOo men, enrolled and trainedLo military exercise
and upon emergency Ike this could rob.h ~, -, a.
creased to nearly million.
Ioud an army OF IS 900 men subdue or even make an
impression upon an armed population like this A po-
pulaon aeteSuns despotism, and devoted freedom
| acting uhcer one common impulse would direct their
whole energies against their foes aud would destroytie
IN one instant but let US suppose that million of
men would be afraid OF attacking SIS 900 in mass. in
what way could such army levy contibuti,,s FOR s
support? In what way would it supply itself with rovs
siohs! IN hostile country deJach oraeing par
ties tor It's supplies; aud it no extravaeaDt seros-
ton to sde, that there would be courage enougb
IN the country to attack md destroy them Ii is not HI,
tie remarkable that the gentlemen who profess 10 MACE
the greatest confidence in and boast of powers
OF the militia those who express most fears fran Inc
influence of standing armies if the militia could not
form as SOLD Ouwaik against domestic against fo-
reign enemies. But sir, you have perfect in
the peculiar organization of your political institutons
The people are projected by eighteen different govern.
Tnentsone general Esd seventeen state governments
These state governm eBts founded in the confidence
and affections of the people and are comIetpt to the
most unlimited Efforts tor sell preservation. iflhereore
rebelhous standing in actual possession OF
your President and Congress- the loss won al scarcely
be felt by the nation The state governments v,ld ne
competent TO levy troops, order the militia &c &c
and would destroy the rebels in q moment From these
peculiarly fortunate Circumstances people Of the Uni.
ted States have less real of fears from standing
armies than any people upon earth. Whsn nunauarte
took possession othe government Of France done
under circumstances peculiarly favorable to the daring
Enerprze but even then If there had been sIed
III france seventeen governments possessing the af-
iections and confidence of the peoae with arms Ia their
hands besides the government Of Paris is probable he
never would have undertaken the project or if he had
| "A mir bqh had
an extremely difficult thing establish despotism and
enforce municipal regulations upon armed People
who are determined resistance Spain NJ this mo.
ment exhibits the most striking example OF the trah Of
this position Bonapare has found more difficulties il
subduing the aroied population of Spain than ~ con-
queing all the regular armies n Europe &c g. When
whole population with arms ia their hands are deter
mined to be free, they be enslaved For these
and many other reasons which might be Undue he fet
none OF the approximations which TO have been so
influential IN giving preference the volunteer force
He III the present crisis, he had always dcne before
voted Tor such regular forces, the e2geuccs of the
country required perfectly exempt from all appreheS
sons of danger to the liberties of this country in conse-
quence Of doing
| Mr.. Giles. in conclusion observed that altbo,cl H..
felt disposed to yield much harmony and union in our
measures respecting foreign nations and entertained the
hgnes respect or the opinions Of gentlemen from whom
I've differed this occasion yet even if the number of
men should be reduced and the appropriated les,
sened, which he deemed of the Importance accor
ding to the report of the Committee he should find some
dcultles III voting for the DILL and should reserve his
determination in that respect for further nectop be-
cause he dsked to for nominal when the situation
OF the country required actual measures fe felt also
some considerable difficulty in voting for law, 10 prime
cple the copy OF former one which had been seen in 50
unfavorabe light by the Virginia Legislature as to in
duce II 70 pass law for the express purpose of pre-
venting its execution in that state The high respect
he felt Tor that Legislature, furnished formidable
sace to his giving his favor of the law under az
ny circumstances lie should however, finally act In
that respect, from the convictions Of further condea
ton.
lust Received and for Sale at tbfs Office,
A IIIAII,ADN OH ~ LDE n a.