Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-17
Richmond. FEBRIIARY I7.
MILITIA.

hIyh hOND. February H.
MILITIA.
In the courseo "A longlile have found
that government is not 10 be strengthened
by the csstrption of dorbtJi;l powe,s, but
wise and caereetic execution of those which
are incontestible The former never fails
10 produce suspicion and distrust, whilst
the latter inspires respect and confidence.
If, however, after a fair experience, the
powers rested iii the government shall be
found incompetent TO the attainment of
the objects for which il was instituted,
the constitution happily furnishes the
means for remedying the evil by amend
ment."
In these immortal words, the venerable
GEORGE CLINTON pronounced his peto
on the old Bank Of the United States. :.
They deserve TO he written liz letters of
gold over The door of the Capitol of
The United States. They tell the Anne
rican legislator" Exercise the powers
that are vested in you with energy and
wisdom; never assume a doubtful power;
but if YOU find those which are given 10
you to be insufficient for your purpose,
then ask the people for more, and they
will grant them To YOU"
These are the maxIms of the constiiu-
ton, Of experience, aud wisdom. No man
rican people, who does not make them
the guides OF his conduct. The man who
opposes the usurpation of a power not
given 10 the u. States, is not on that &C
count AN enemy TO lis government, its Ell
ergy, or lis legitimate powers. He would
rather on this very account see those pow
ers firmly exercised, in all cases of expe-
diency, Let political fanatics call him an
enemy TO the general government-lct
them nickname him an nti-federalst-
he is, strictly speaking, true federaiist,
because he strictly adheres to the sense
aswellas the strength of the constitution.
You are opposed, for instance, 10 a ma
| iional bank-yOu conscentiously think
that the constitution has given Congress
no power TO establish one; that il is nei-
| ther an end within the scope of their pow
| ers, nor is II a means necessary to the exc
cuiiOn ofany end which is speciticd-you
| think that Congress have transcribed
| their authority by Incorporating such an
| institution.-Youare Of opinion that Con-
gress have no right 10 establish roads and
| canals, schools and universities. YOU OK
| press these sentiments boldly YOU de-
| nounce the measures of those who act
upon other opinions. Is il right, there
! fore, 10 prescribe the man who eniertains
| these views, as an enemy to the Union; IS
a dISorganiZer; as opposed to the strength
and energy of the national government Z?
Far from it-He is only opposed TO the
assumption of doubtful pOwerS-He might
| frequently have occasion 10 lament even
the weakness of the government, arising
| from the want of an energetic execution of
lis incontestible powers. For instance
the state of our militia iavS.
| Nothing is more necessary to the
trf, Il, ~ IL.
| should be able to call out the national
arm TO second the national sriH. During
the late war, how often has the power of
! the union been set al naught by factious
| spirits! Massachusetts and Connecticut
deSpised the acquisitions made upon their
governors by the Federal Executive. The
error was, that the requlsiiion was made
upon the Governor, and not upon the mi
| litia officers or the men. The great fea-
ture which distinguishes the prcseut con-
stitution from the old confederation, is.
| that these requsitions are abolished. and
| that the government goes directly 10 the
men who are TO obey the laws-And vet
! itisstrange, that in this essential part ofthe
| strength OF tllenatlOn, we have hitherto pre-
served the weakest feature i'll the Coniede-
ration. Letus change this system. Ills time
| totortity the government against the rebel
! MUS NlS'OStiiOD VI spiIttS-
| We are happy TO see that among The other
improvements introduced by the bill now
before Congress is a provision, calcutta
ted TO have that eiiect-it compcls the
adjutant general of each state, TO make
| periodical returns of its militia TO the Sc
cretary of War; and if authorizes the Pre-
sidenl 10 call upon any mililia-man or his
| officer INTO the service of the nation. We
| hope that some bill will pass the present
session of Congress with these vital provi-
sions in ir.-Already the tocsn Of party
! IS sounded against the bill. ALREADY the
| NY. Daily 6drertiScr has denounced il, be-
cause the 4tl section gives the President
power TO call out the militia, not only in
cases of actual, but expected INVASION. One
fact, and we dismiss this objection: Does
the Adueytisey u0. know, that the first mi
liiia law, enacted by the federal admins
tratiou, contained similar provision a
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