Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-18
ID q Nj Il s TT C..
From The .Autiona, Mtelhg ncer.
WAsuISoroS, May Is.
THE LATE SESSION

WAsHISoToy, May Is,
THE LATE SESSION
The most important subject, perhaps, ON which
Congress did not sct conclus,yely during their
late session, though it partially discussed in
The Senate, was the organ cation and classicati
on OF the militia IN such nner as to give eff
cheney TO the military body of the nation, and 10
subject it TO he due control of the general gov
ernmenrin the cas~s provided for by the consti
tuition. The defec of the laws in this particular.
was too manifest during the late war to leave any
doubt on the minds of unprejudlced men. of the
expediency of making such legal provisions As
Will prevent a recurrence of the miserable con-
stitu ional bubbles, under the shadow of which
the federal governors, those of Massachusetts and
Vermont particularly, escaped the performance
of their duty as officers and as Amer cans
That cannot be constitutional which would over
turn the constitution and the laws ought TO
provide coercively for the performance Of their
duty by those, however high their stations, who
spurn the force OF moral obligations. II ought
not to be supposed, because Congress has not
acted on this subject, that they uGdervaue its
Importance. The subject was preternitted at the
last session, from motives OF convenience. not of
policy. 1t will perpetualy recur unit a remedy
Is provided for this canker at the root of our Ii
berries.
Among the other propositions before Congress
not dentNeiv &C ed on,was the establishment of
a corps OF lnvais. 1t was proposed in the house
of Representatives was briefly discussed, Or
dered to third reading, then Ia d ON the t.,bIe.
where 1t slept till the end of the Session This
measure is one, respecting the poicy Of which.
N our country, some dOubt was expressed by
gentlemen whose opinions are ent led 10 pro-
found respect. The majority of The members IN
clnelfto the mea'u~e but at the request of those
who doubted, the question was deferred TIE
question not having been resumed, remains open
| tor public consideration.
The bill respecting the Military Academy.
| VIII CHI was some lime before the house of Repre-.
senta ives, shared The same fate as that respect
| inS the invalid corps There was strong dis
| position IN Congress TO extend this establishment
but much q ference OF opinion as to the mode of
dong IT That measure which to us, appears
| most advisable, seems to have been the least re
ilShed by Congress. Theory certainly recon-
mends tina tine principal Military Academy, or at
least branch oft, be established m the v nifty
| OF the seat OF government and in this ew, also
practical men cOncurred, the Secretary of War.
and the proper military authorities, having re-
commended the establishment of an academy
within the District of Columbia. But tins unfor-
tunate District is served in somewhat of the man.
ner, IN which It's companions and associates are
said to persecutea crippled deer. Because the
District IS deprived ofthe rights enioyed by the
other territories of the United ates. even those
OF recent acquisition, it an object of jealousy on
all hands-tolerated by few but Cherished bv
none it we except halfa dozen gentlemen To
whom it is indebted for a casual glance from
Congress at its interests and wants That the
Jealousy exists ofwhich we speak, cannot be de-
MED and 1t is equally true, that it prevented, in
respect to the military academy, what was GER
talnly recommended by many cogent considerati
ons vote having passed, however to amend
the bill, so as TO establish additional academy
at Knoxville in Tennessee, the bill was recon-
mitted IN order to conform the details to this a
mendment, and the House could not be prevailed
upon at er 1t was again reported to resume The
consideration Of it.
To the proposed establishment of National
| Seminary ofLearning within he District of Co
lumba, stronger obi ections have been lnsinuated
not in Congress, + r tlere the bill on that snb
/ iect fell stubborn from the committee who IN
| trOduced 1T, but elsewhere--than we heard aro,t
Ell against the es Enlistment ola Military Acad
| envy WITHIN the District. But one would have
thought the force and elegance Of that passap4 of
the Presidents message, recommending the esta
biIshmen OF national university to their atten-
ton, would at least, have secured II day or an
hours consideration by the Congress
| Whilst we are treating of mat crs necessarily
| connected with the District, we Will only menG
| on, without dwelling on it, the reirsyl of Con-
gress TO act on the public SIP rlted proposition of
Mr. Huger respecting the removing huheF of he
remains of Wash ngton. The solemn pledge OF
| her predecessors, on the occasion of the death
Of that great man, yet remains unredeemed
On the subject Of internal improvement, so
Justly pessed by the Executive, on he attentio
Of Congress, nothing was done A bill making
provision, worthy OF the object, lib rat when
compared with the present revenue OF the UNI ed
States disposabe for such purposes, was some
time before The Senate, having been introduced
by Mr.. Morrow, the indeiatigabe repre-, entauve
from Ohio. 1t was finally posi- oned 10 a day be-
yond the session. Il will doubtless be revived at
the next session, and acted upon, it the publ c o.
p nicn sho' Id be decidedly expressed upon II -
for IN all these great questions, much depends |
on that, the silence of conviction beng some |
times mistaken for the calm of indifference. TIE
opinion has been adya ced that there is deiec /
OF constitutional authority in Congress to act ON |
this subject. IT that opinion prevail there is |
mode OF supplying the defect, which ought To be |
immediately resoted to- Blu, have not G .ngre /
already leglslated on that subject, in respect to-
the great Cumberland road aud to roads through /
various parts Of The western territories. Having |