Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-02-09

tains Warrington and Blno.' OF the navy
nave returned 70 their residence in this
place. L'0'''
From the .vsr.Iork Daily advertiser.
THE MILITIA.
That clause of the constitution Of the
limited states which gave TO congress. to
a certain extent, power over the militia,
ercitsd in the breasts Of many men of
distraction strong spirit of opposition
10 that instrument. Among those per-
sons none was more distinguished for ia.
Tents and reputation than the celebrated
Patrick Henry, of Virginia. He exerted
his eloquence and ingenuity to the Ut
most in the convention of that state to
prevent the adoption of the constitution,
and very ernphatically on this ground
- Congress-" said hs," BY the power of
taxation, BY that of raising an army, and
by their control over the militia, have the
sword in one hand, and the pulse 10 the
other. Shall we be safe without either 7"
" where and when did freedom exist,
when the sword and purse were given up
IRON the peoplei Unless a miracle in
hu,pau affairs interposed, no nation ever
rs.ained its liberty after the loss of the
sword and the purse" Such was The
energetic language OF a statesman, whose
talents. foresight, and intuiive know
ledge Of political affairs, has ever been
the theme Of Boosting among his country.
men. In his opposition to the constitu-
ton, he was zealously supported by the
present chief magistrate OF the United
States, whose fears and foreboding.
seemed to be greatly awakened by that
clause which granted to congress the
power 10 make all lGCs necessary and
proper for carrying into s.recu.i9n the
po,rer previously granted.
By the constitution of the United
States, congress are authorised " to pro
vide for calling forth the militia to exc
cute The laws of the union, suppress in
surrection, and repsl ;nrcsioH." 1t was
on the last clause Of this provision that
the constitutional question arose between
the then president, and the governors Of
the. New England states, relative to its
true meaning and construction. The
president called for he militia immedi-
ately upon The declaration of war. when
there was not even the slightest appear
ance of Invasion, or attempted invasion.
upon the sea shore in those states, and
these magistrates declined executing the
order on the ground that the constitution
al exigepcy, viz: iEuasion, had not taken
place, OF the fact Of invasion, they
claimed the right of exercising their own
Judgment, otherwise it would at any and
all times be in the power of PRESIDENT
of the United States, BY barely declaring
that in his opinion there was danger q
inrasion, to get a. strong a military force
as he might wish for into his hands, and
al the same time he would be able to
strip the several states Of their natural
and constitutional physical and military
defence.
In order to avoid the recurrence OF TIL:
dilemma in future, by the 4th section Of
this bill it is provided, " That whenever
the United States, or any OF their terrific
ries, shall be invaded, or shall be, IN thu
opinion of the president Of the United
States, in danger of being inradsd, iron
any foreign nation or Indian tribe, ne
shall have authority to call forth sucf
number Of the militia as he may Judge tt
be suffsien, to repel such insssion.'-
There are two points Of Importance II
IT. o.x,,larf u an