Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-12-01
PROCEEDING OF THE SENATE
CONSCRIPTIOy

CONSUMPTION
An able and eloquent discussion arose
in the Senate yesterday, upon the militia
bill, as il is called, which converts every
man in the country into conscript or mi
htary vassel TIE members who took part
IN the discussion were Messrs Varnum,
Goldsboreugh, Bledsoe, Gore German &
G'les. The third named gentleman, in the
courfe of his remarks in favor of the bill,
which were certainly eloquent, took occa
sion to eulogize the CONSUMPTION system OF
Bonapare, which he said, F" he was bold to
pronounce. in his place, the best and most
equitable system. but for the bad uses
made OF it, ever devised Mr.. Gore de-
ciared distinctly, "that if there remained
" any thing of the spirit Of liberty. which
impelied our ancestors to deeds of glory.
sand under providence achieved our liber-
ties, the law would be resisted. and he
" had no difficulty in adding, it OUGHT TO
"BE ResIsTED'' He concluded an able.
eloquent and impressive speech, by moving
in the name of his venerable friend. Mr.,
King, who is confined to his bed with sick
aess, the following instruction, which pla-
ces on lonf,y ground the party falsely &C.
cnsed OF an pnwillingnsss to defend the
country.
Motion to Recomm;t the Bill zoitb In.
strxctions
" THAT the committee be instructed to
modify the bill, that it shall provide for
calling into the service of the u. States
from time to time, in execution of the pro-
vision OF the constitution. and according to
Inc mode heretofore practised thou
sand militia to serve for terms not exceed
ing nine months, with an option to the Sc
veal states, in lieu OF such detachments of
militia TO raise and furnish for the service
OF the United Slaves for the term of two
years, unless sooner discharged, bodies of
state troops equal in number to their re.
spective quotas of militia: Such state troops
to be organised, armed and equipped ac-
cording TO law, their off, ers to be appoint |
ed by the respective states, their services |
to be limited within the states in which |
they shall be raised, or within an adioin- !
ing state, to be subject to the rules and ar |
tlcles OF war, and to receive the same pay, |
rations and forage, and to be en- |
titled to the same privileges and immuni.
ties as the troops of the U. States'
,s. Fed Repab
From the manner in which Mr.. Monroe's
plan of transcription, at least in some of its |
parts is defended in the senate, we should |
imagine it must have been forgotten that !
this IS. or was, free government. Little |
other argument is attempted, than to find |
some kind of precedent, in some coun-
try OF other And, a. last, it has come
to rest solely on the example of Napoieon |
Bonaparte Bonapsrte had CONSUMPTION /
it was just and equal; we will try one
We know not how to express our aston |
lshment at the cool and deliberate express
sion OF such sentiments in the senate of
the u. States. Where are WEI in what |
age of our repubiicP to what point of cor.
Fuption and despotism have we arrived, !
when such opinions can find bold utterers !
and patient hearers P
1t is quite forgotten, that this was in. |
tended to be limited government, and |
that the people did not intend to surrender
at discretion, to their rulers |
Are there not guards and restrictions over |
the exercise of authority, and is it not the |
very first of all these restrictions, growing !
out of the very nature Of the government, |
that no power can be exercised in man
ner wholly destructive Of the great rights !
of personal liberty?
We cannot but look with horror on such I
sentiments as have been uttered, and in |
the unblushing avowal Of them at the pre-
sent time. Fed Repa6.