The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-11-04


army could not be raised in that mode,
whence the power would have been granted
IN vain. The safety OF the state might de-
pend on such an army. Long continued inva-
SONS conducted by regular wen disciplined
troops, can best be repealed By troops kept
constantly in the field, aud equally well dis
cipined. Courage in an army is in great
measure mechanical. a small body we'll
trained, ACCUSTOMED to action, Callantly led
on, often b",aks three or four times the num-
Der OF more respectable & tnure brave, but
raw and un',,Scipiaed troops. The sense of
danger IS diminished by frequent exposure to
It without haiTn and Confidence even in the
timid, is inspired BY a knowledgc that re-
lance may be placed on others, which can
grow up o'iy by service together. The grant
90 SongiSss 10 raise armies was made with a
kncw!ei'se Of eli these circumstances, & with
the intention that it should take effect The
trainers e the constitution, and the states who
ratified 1t, knew the advantage which AN cue
| my might have overus. by regular for, es, and
intended to place their country On an equal
! footing. sE<
The idea that the y. States cannot raise
regular army ia any other mode than by &C
| ceptimg the voluntary service of individuals, is
| oeiieved to be repugn2nt TO the uniform CON
stractlon ~ all grants of power, and equally
50 to- the FIRST principles and leading objects OF
I
OF power gives tie means necessary to carry
! 1t INTO effect. This is an universal maxim
which admits u nc exception. Equally {, ue
| is that the conservation of the state
| IS duty paramount 70 all others. The
commonwealth has right to the service of
al Its clhzers, or iather, the citizens comuo-
sing the commonwealth have = right ccllcc-
titeiy and individually TO the service OF each
ether, GO rSpel any danger which may be me-
y NO -.
10 DC apportloned among tl,e Citizens, and
rendered D. them, are objects of legisIation.--
| Az that is = be dreaGed in such case, is the
! aeuse 81 pUver, and happily our consttitu-
oon has provided ample security against that
| evil
In support OF this tight in Congress, the mi
| Atla service aiioraS a conclusive proof and
STRIKING example. The organization of the
militia IS an act OF public authority, not :. vo-
icltary association. the service required
must be performed by all, under penalties
wIch deiinquents pay, The generous and
patriotic perform them cheerfullY. In the a.
laciity with which the call of the government
has been obeycti, and the chverfulness with
which the service has been performed through
oHt tie United States by the great BODY Of the
Militia, there IS abundant Cause to rejoice in
thr strength OF our republican institutions, and
II the virtue Of the people.
than the militia service, While 1t is free from
| most oi'te objections 70 it. The militia SER
wee calls trom home Tor long terms whole dis
tricts OF country None can elude the call
rev can avoid the service, and those who do
are compelled To pay great sums for substi
ttte". This plan fixes'on no one personally,
and "pens To III, who chuse it q chance of de-
elm ng the service. It is principal object
ot tbs plan 70 engage in the defence of the
% he rt1s .t.. =
best defend 1t and best be spared, and to Sc
cure to these who render this important ser
vice, AN adequate compensation from the yo-
luntary constitution of the more wealthy ia e.
very class. Great confidence is entertained
that such contribution will be made in time to
avoid draft. Inaeed it's believed to be the
necessary an't inevitable tendency of this plan
to produce that effect
The limited power which the L. S have in
org 'nizng the militia may be urged as an ar
gument against their right 20 raise regular
troops in the mode proposed. If anv srru
fnent could DC drawn from that circumstance.
! Should suppose that it would be in favor of
an opposite conclusion. The power of the U
D. over the militia has been limited, and that
fDr raising regular armies granted without Ii
IMITATION. here was, doubtless, some object
IN TINS arrangement The fair inference
seems TO be, that i was made on great con
a4"C sillh' Ildf tnc limitation IN the tlrSt IN
stance was intentional, the consequence of the
unqualified grant q the second.
BUTT is s;sld that by drawing The men from
The militia service into the regular army.
and putting them under regular CiTicers, YOU
violate principle Of the constitution which
provides that the militia shall be commanded
by their own officers. II dis was the TACT d G
Conclusion would foIio7' But it is not tbt
tact. The men are not drawn from the mi
litia, butfrom the population of the cuuptrv
when they enlist voluntarily, it IS not AS mill
tla-mcn thai they act. but as Citizens. Tfthev
are drafted, it must be in the sau,c sci,se. In
both instances they arc enrolled in the militia
corps, oit that, as IS presumed, cannot pre-
vent the voluntary act IN the one instance, or
! he cOmpuSivc IN the other. The whole no
ulation in tbe United STATES within certain
ages belong 10 these corps. II the United
states could not form rerr!ar armies from
them, they could raise none.
In proposing a draft AS ono If the modes
OF raising men III case of actual necessity. in
| the present great emergency Of the country.
taYe thought it iny duty to examine such
objettc . o it as occurred, particularly those
| OF a Constitutional nature. II is from nv sa-
| cred regard for the principles Of our constitu-
! ton that have venturec 70 trouble the com
mittee with any remarks on ans part of the
subject.
| Should It appear thai this mode Of raising
recruits was justly objectionable on account
1 taN.