The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-22

Our militia as we call them IN that instance
did there indeed render themselves Eormida-
bic 10 the British forces I; but under what cir
cumsiances!-Not 10 consequence OF aay
knowledge acquired IN peace by militia mus
ters-but as body Of marksnen who bad be-
come such by part Of their common occupation,
that Of hunters, aided most Of them by weeks
al least Of soldier discipline, under such a
commander as Jackson, al time when all felt
tue Importance Of immediately acquiring as
much knowledge as possible. and further aided
by strong toriIhcatons and entreuchmenL
These were ~ reality not 50 much militia az
regular Soldiers: at least they appear not to the
writer 10 be indebted 10 our militia system for
any previous information obtained duriDg
peace. But even IN the case Vt The bsttle vi
New Orleans, what was the conduct Of the
DIVISION On the other side Of the river, that were
called on TO advance frem their fonihcatious
aud were not under the immediate control III
the commander Ii is well ksown t.. De such
as TO afford no argument in favor Of the Militia
System. Here let not feelings Of Indignation
rise in the minds OF those who feel senslbly for
what is called national glory. Ii is not the
spirit or the courage ofour countrymen which
we question---lhere is enough OF both; but tie
adaptation OF our Peace Miliua System TO call
them into successful operatlon, and perhaps
the need OF any system IN tune OF peace fur
ther than will provide deposite Of arms and
equipments III every town aud require every
citizen once or twice a year 10 repair TO such
place and receive from an armour If necessary
his numbered gun but we will not stop here
to furnish outlines Of a plan which nigh be
lar better done by others il they think il ex-
pedlent, aud return TO an earlier part OF our
subject
We are all sensible that our militia system
is essentially defective, that Whatever Is gain
Ell or lost by it, it fails IA battle TO give one
30 jief confidence in his neishoor's sieadiness,
though he may nave ever 80 much IN MS own,
and therefore fails 10 one most important
pom, but 10 leave TO Others for the present
all further remarks, as 10 the merits or defects
OF the United States Militia System, it is fur
Their observed, that il Is not the opinion OF one
or a tew, that should this government DagDan-
imously resolve TO cultivate the arts OF peace,
and abandon those OF war, as unreasonable
and unchristian, and give to the nations OF Eu
rope a pledge OF their sincerity, by ceasing
altogether on the land, every thing of the ma
ture Ut war prepsrstIons--thatthe British after
such pledge OF sincerity would not attempt
to take advantage of II and invade US u that,
because under these circumstances they dare
no. Knowing that SO palpable violation Of
right would unite the nation To mana union
more formidable TO them, than military pre-
paration with nation divided as to the right
and expedlency of making OF repellng war
for they know that such spirit IN nation of
such resources as ours, would soon produce
arms and ammunItioD--and what IS more, that
under such circumstances, we might also safe
ly rely on ali Almighty arm.
| have not undertaken TO 40 into full and
regular discussion, OF the subject of the Militia
System, though from backwardness in 9th
els better qualified than myself, have gone
farther than intended but II is hoped il any
one who may not coincide 10 opinion or feel
iDgs with the substance ofmy former and pres.
ent communication, should choose to reply,
that he will DO It soberly as any thing like
buftounery, tends 10 degrade the subject, as
we'll as its author and especially as the wri-
ter OF this will not, on SO important a subject,
avail himself Of the use of wit of any descrip-
ton, though he thinks il weapon that might
be more successfully used 10 attacking, than
in defending the Militia System.
A SOLDIER.