The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-08

Mn. SHIRLEY-While questions OF expectancy
as to partial changes IN the Militia system are 20
often suggested, may not an individual, VINO mas
not personally any military fame TO pfomoteS ASK
few questions IN ycsr pspes, relative - the
Military system, Il now exists ID the Y. states
generally, more particularly IN the New kngiand
states, and most 30 ID this state, where, iron the
late change in our government, and perhaps other
causes. more OF what is called a mliitafy spHit
seems to prevail, than else where ; and where We
are oil course in more danger Of suffering from
false notions on this subject, and ifoA just ones,
operating TOO far.
1t is first promised that we are in state Of
peace with all the world that we cannot ra-
tiona!y look forward to any period Or change Of
circumstances, when danger Of INVASION tom any
power but Great Britain, can be apprehenced,
unless we fear an invasion from Russia, from
their settlements on the ether side "a the conti-
nent, or from the Spaniards, from spanish Amer
lea; and it is thought no one viii candi1ly and
seriously say he wishes to burden the people
with expenses to kesp ~ military spists, iroai
any apg,re decisions ism 1paia or RsSsfz-
II Is asked, first, whether tax Of thirteen dol
lars a year OF upwards, at the discretion Of mi
litia officers, is not considerable burthen on the
community particularly on the poorer Class
which now forms no small part
Is not the injury done to the morals q All who
are obliged TO assemble i've times year, espe
cially to the younger portion, from the use 81
strong liquors and other causes, consequent 70
such assembling, an objection to the present nj
lItia system
Is not the time wasted by all the spectators,
and the morals Of part, an injury TO society
Is not such degree OF interest IN military at
fairs as takes the attention Of officers from their
necessary common occupation, AN injury TO the IN
dividuals who hold such Offices f!
Is not the constant liability to serious acct
dents, which always attends the use OF fire arms,
especially with those who know little OF the use
81 them but what is obtained at muster trainings,
an objection Of some Importance?
Is not the fact which has been so long asserted
and re-asserted by oficers in the regular army,
that after all the parade and consumption of tins,
made during peace ia militia trainings, when an
occasion for military service occurs, they must be
untaught all they have ever been taught, if they
nave learnt any tnng, before they can begin TO
learn to be soldiers, an objection that deserves
to be considered
Other evils might probably be mentioned, be-
sides the smaller ones that may flow from the
vanity OF commanders Of companies, such as
employing the hours for militia duty chiefly in
marching about the most public streets ia popu-
lous places, rather than exercising and march
ING ia retired places and otherwise making the
duty needlessly disagreeable to those they com
ma nd.
III all or any Of these questions must be answer
ed 10 the Affirmative, persons of infcrmation tai
ents and leisure are invited to turn their atten-
tien to the subject, with the hope that funda-
mental change may be practicable But If writers
on the subject cannot ultimately effect any thing
IN tightening the present burden on society, they
will at least receive for their intentions, the
thanks Of parents and others, who have each the
time OF three, four or half dozen sons or APP
Prentices TO lose on training days, besides the
expense of military equipment, and the tendency
of every thing Of this nature to unsettIe habits
OF industry in those they employ.
SOLDIER