Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-11

leyed there is no instance in history, OF "A ma
ton losing lis liberties where the military SPIT
rit OF the people-did not decline in the same
proportion, that the corruption of manners adj
vanced. Nor was auy free government ever
overturned by any iuterAai CONFUSION, until
the destruction OF that spirit had been first pro-
duced in the body Of the psopis. IL WAS not ua-
til the amusenents OF the theatre, the baths,
aud the public gardens had superseded the ex-
crcSes OF the Campus Nartius, that a Roman
army dared 10 revolt against lis country, and
with the power OF the sword 10 substitute forts
free institutions the arbitrary viii OF 4 dlcta-
tor, eighty years before the successful usarpa-
ton OF CUSar-the revolt f an army could have
produced no Such consequence.
But the habits of the people had been chang
ed no LONGER IN every Roman citizen was 10
be found Il trained and practiSei soldier; the
higher tactics were cultivated indeed with zeal
and success by amartia nobility. No rerod
had been more prolific OF great generals At
none, had the discipline OF the icgionS been SO
perfect; but they were no longer filed by Cit
zens taking their routine OF service. The mill
tary had become Il distinct profession; com
posed Of men who, in the habits Of war and
piiiage, had forgotten the sacred obligations
attached TO their character citizens :; who
were ever as ready, upon the suggestion of
Their leader, 10 turn their against their
country, as the enemy whom they wers raised
to oppose.
As in every age, then, and in every country.
the same cause will produce the Sine effects
the palladium of American liberty must be the
ry spirit through the whole body OF the peo-
pie.
But, secondiy.--Is iIe object altainable'
lhatit is not attainabe by any OF ihe systems
which have heretofore becniu use in the L. :.
is very different from the little success which
has attended them The late war repeatedly
exhibited the melancholy fact of large corps Of
militia going to the field of battle without un-
derstanding ,ingle elementary principle, and
without being able to perform single evol,,-
ton. Vet militia laws exist and have eXiSteiin
all the states since the war of the revolution
which set apartwith great precision number
OF days IN each year for the purposes oftraining
and discipline. But from this plan no good
fruit has ever been produced. 1t was al error,
indeed, common to all the militia system in use
IN the U. States, that the periods fer train ng
were too short aud too distant from each other
to produce much benefit.
Ioremedy this defect, camps of discipline
have been recommended. One OF the reasons
which governed the committee in reec lny
that part OF the Secretary of Wars recomrnt n
dation, has been explained above but if that
objection could be overcome, the committee
are far from thinking that the object could at
all be accomplished in that way. There is an
other more formidable obstacle TO success
more formidable, because il arises from the ma.
ture OF our government, and tie constitution
OF the human character-rhe sentiments aud
haoits OF free country, necessarily produces
amongst the citizens asuperior restlessness I'M
der restraint, than is to be met with in the
subjects of Il monarchy. This spirit frequent
~ maniteSts itself even in Il career of military
services where the high interests involved, (es
IN which they largely partake,) and the evident
necessity of discipline, might he supposed able
to correct IT. There can scarcely be restraint
more veXatiouS and disgusting to a crown man.
Ilan the initiatory lessons oft the military art
Military discipline consists in the observance
OF number of minute particulars, which, to
the novluate in arms have no apparent object
put which form the links Of beautiful and
connected system. II is believed that to this
re to ia. 81. I:s.V
which has been made in training the militia of
the United States nor is there much prospect
that any change of system could, with regard
70 inc present militia, produce the result at
which we aim.
In searching for landmarks to guide us tn
our object, il will be in vain that we direct orr
attention 10 the modern nations of Europe
from them we can borrow nothing 30 aid our
purpose governments formed upon artificial
distinctions i'll society-which estimate their
security by The inability of their subjects to re-
sistoppressIon, can furnish free people with
no guides in organizing system of defence
which shall be purely national. Weare how.
ever, not without resource.
The ancient republics, from which we have
drawn many of the choicest maXims upon
which to found our administrations, will fur
nlsh also most pertectmodel for our system
OF national defence. The whole secret of an
cent military glory-the foundation of that
wonderful combination OF military skill 81 ex-
aited vaior, which enabled the petty republic
sian invasion; which formed the walls of Spar
ia, and conducted the Roman legiOns (iniluen-
ced indeed by nHhallowed mOtives) to tho
conquest of the world, will be found in the mi;
litary education of tine youth. The victories of
Marathon and PLATA, ofCynocephele 81 Pydna.
were the practical results of the exercises OF
the Campus Niartus and GymnaSIa. tits oRa
foundation of this kind, and of this kind only
that an energetic national militia can be estab-
lished.
- IN examination into the employment and
obligations Of individuals cOmprsing, the socie
~" says Gen. Knox, will evince tile inpossi
bility efdifusing an adequate knowledge of the
art of war BY any other means than course Of
discipline during the period Of homage; the
time necessary to acquire dis important know
ledge, cannot be afforded atany other period of
life with so little injury TO the public or private
interests" Nothing is more true than what is
here advanced and yet il is most singular that
the aniabe and patriotic Secretary should
have founded his plaun upon course of instruc-
ton, to commence within the limits of non age
indeed, but at so advanced period of il. that
az the objections which could be made to the
d1Sciplinugat more advanced age will aDplv
equally to it, with the addition of Others which
are more cogent, and which are supposed TO be
inherent in the syStOm itself. Ofhis advanced
corps, composed of the youth of Is, 10 and 20
years of age, those Of Is and 80 are to be drawn
ont for 30 days in each year. and these OF 20 for
ten days, to be instructed in camps of discip-
line.
1t has been strongly urged again st tl,iepIan.
that the separation Of the youth at that critical
age from the experimenting -isilance Of their
parents and guardians, would be very dan
gerOuS step, and that the loss Of time from the
pursuit Of their professions and occupations
would prove 10 thema most serious evil
Whatever force there may be in these objec-
9 al. - A.