The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-15
10 the Editor Of the Enquirer.

The following remarks are ergges,ed by piece in
jour paper ot Nov l9th, signed " Vryi,,itls Iseree
with that writer, that the very best step that Congress
could take, TO I'll the regular ranks would be BY clas
%fcGf'on rs proposed in the lie ter of the Secretary
oil war II this is not DONE TO be hopes that they
~h' al least permit the states to raise and officer troops
ior TWO years, or the and will receive them W hen
raised into the pay and cpoymert of the general 90
'eihnent his Will desolye the stAte authorities
high and important duty, in the selection of officers
inc! are the hearts blood, the vital principle armies
ChnoSe them well, a>d cannot fail, Whatever be
The character OF an army, ysu may always trace il to
those who command The men are bat clay in the
hands 81 the I'otr: their officers may mould them at
VIII ASS aeNoted son of this "ancient dominion" I
Heel an interest, socude on this subject stronger
than eau express; and do ferventy pray that This
aiiHporaat step may be taken. under full sense of
ITS amfi responsibility, and with q single eve to the
COCO OF the service aud the honor OF the state II ia
apprehended by some, that in their appointments the
Executive will oonfne themselves to the militia officers
"oh forbid step fatal to the interests of the
army, could not possibly be devised. We all know
now the militia officers into coumission-in
time ofprofonnd peace when the system was but
phantom. and the duties of their Offices nominal near
y-Nhen, IN truth the only Inducements to a COM
mission were the cockd hat and feather the fine coat
epaniette. These trappings had no charms for men
OF nigh minds and real talents; the nominations too
we're generally made by the county courts sccorIin,
10 srsue ana seniority. These simmer soldiers did
very well during the sunshine of peace bur how will
uney stand the tug war! Can conide to them
VIC uestifiSsc f armies! Gan trust them IN
form and TO lead those men, wins are to meet, ain
mortal combat, the veterans of Wellington the con-
querors OF Europe Can they tii.e on the slrw;nd
ahu direct the storm" Of battle answer, confident
W NO ;sn we'll aware, that this language il calc,-
lated to wouad many of this numerous csss-'rb.re
are times, however, when considerations of this
KIND, ought &c close the lips of pat, iotism or sae the.
voice OF truth 10 the men of genius and military Ia
tents among the militia officers have no appreben-
sIsD, that the freedom with which speak will rv. nf
ience-Sdch will feel that they occupy higher ground
tiian a militia commission give They viii see
that Is not the purpose Of these remarks to exclude,
MeN. from VieTi but merely to place them on the
iau basis OF equality make merit The standard 70
eisai;e the Executive $50 far the feeble effort. of
sn Obscure individual may avsil) disincuber them
selves OF system, which would sit like an incubus IN
on their labouts and stranglc the hopes of the commit
nifty. That Virginia presents as fine materials for III
GERS as The world can produce have no doutt-Oulv
select them jAdiciousy. and they will form US a BODY
o. troops, who vii! support under all circumstances
inc hugh character OF the state who will be model
tor the unioi-to whom every Virginian may look with
pride and exulation.
In the discharge OF this duty the Executive will not
nope, oolhne itself to any section of the State but
WIN CAST an equal, and impartial eve over its hole sur
lace, and draw forth merit wherever found This re-.
mark is not the offspring of local jealousy which de-
test, az lido fend o. hell: but Is made because il is
natural, that the Executive eye should first light on
those, more immediately under its view. Most of the
gentlemen named by Yirginius | knew persnpslv-
witt several OF them Intimately acquainted and
can truly say, that farssI know them or have heard
the'- characters, they Rave my full confidence To
these men therefore can be part Of my purpose,
to object, but would hee leave to add to the list
thereafter may bring forward others--at present
shall name but one; mean Henry ST George Tuck
er. 10 those who know him, need say nothiBg To
those "io do not, will observe, that consider him a.
mons the first OF the Sre In point OF talents
he certainly in the foremost rank in spotess purity of
character aad excellence ofhesrt no man can sirpass
him ne possesses in very high degree, that ardent
cast OF mind, that military fire. essential to the for
cause he could not give more satisfactory evidence,
han by his anxiety to enter her service nv which step
ne world sacrifice practice the most lucrative of any
~in lbs crce and forego the society Of sn smiable
ann highly interesting fsmiy,to which he is devo,
tediy attached Such man, cannot trust be over
looked when his country is selecting officers to COM
mani iier armies ALTER VIRCiNIUS,