Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-05
DOMESTIC ENIELLIGEIrCE.
From The Nabional fntelIigencer.
TO THE DIsBANDED OFFICERS OF
THE LATE ARMY.

Drethren.-We have perused. with
much satisfaction, in the National Inteli-
gencer of the 18th instant, an invitation to
general convention of That portion of our
fellow citizens, which we now compose ::
and we have observed in the same paper,
of the esd inst. the address of protested
brother, in opposition to the proposed as
sembly.
The manifest exertions of this writer,
to beguile the understanding, & seduce the
judgment, by varied appeals to our pride
and sensibilities, require no exposition !;
but, to prevent the intended efforts. we
deem it eXpedient TO submit few perti-
nent remarks to your consideration.
We admit tllat there were many officers
Of the late Army, who deserve little of
their country, because they have not serv-
ed it two years, and yet numbers of them
have been retained on the present Peace
Establishment but it will not be denied.
that there were also many other officers OF
the same Army, who deserve much from
their country, because they have served ii
from seven to thirty years, and yet they
have been excluded the service in the late
arrangement. Now il this writer, yhoop-
poses the obvious interest of our commu-
nifty, be truly discharged brother, he
must belongto the former class of officers.
and has still to learn that, in our enter
prizing country, where every vocation,
and every avenue to fortune is constantly
crowded by competitors. the abandonment
Of profession, even for three years, fire.
quentlY produces insuferable bars to the
successful resumption Of it.
We are Republicans, and have not to
be taught that large standing armies, un-
der the control Of ambitious and unprinci-
pied men, are dangerous to Republics !:
We, therefore, in common with our fellow
citizens, approve Of the reduction of the
late incongruous military mass; but. with
all temperate men, we have condemned
the precipitancy and improyidence of the
late Congress, for opposing the views O:
the President, and reducing the Military
Establishment to one half the force he ear
Destly recommended, thereby enfeebIing
the necessary defences Of the country, and
exp0singit to the attacks of an enemy If
this sentiment be incorrect, the error has
become very general !; for, from Georgia to
Maine, IL is scarcely possible to find an in
dividual, who approves the measures Of
that honorable body, or will attempt TO JUS
llll It's COHluJts lDhi - IL Illuminating 20
the pride Of the child to ask succ0r from
the parent? is It dishonorabIe, or dis
graceful condescensiOn, for {" the men,
who have bied, and suffered every pri.a-
ton, for their beloved country" to ask,
from that country, some reward fore. their
blood, their suftcrings and priyations %
We cannot perceive wherefore shame OF
ropugnance should be coupled with du.
ty, e1ioined by Divine authority: "Ask,
and we shall receive !" On the contrary
we cannot discern tint of humiliation. OF
disgrace, IN a dutiful application to the
representatives Of our country, and we be.
lievc it viii be honorable for them to give
and honorable for us to receive. Our NAL
content brother appears to be shocked al
the idea Of a " pensioned order" lie suf
fers himself to be startled at sounds, bu
will become less sensitive, when he re
fleets that it IS not the thing itself, but tho
motive for giving, and the manner OF con
ferring Il, which constitutes the exception
he viii hardly venture to condemn III,
Revolutionary band, who gave existence
to this nation, sanctioned by the apprOVa
Of the immortal Washington. That glori
Gus band was pensiOned by its country
They petitiOned. and contracted with Con.
gress, and were content to receive graui
tues in land, for their tolls and pei1ls
vet, this was not esteemed dishouorable
! in those plain, honest, hQme-spup days