American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-06-23
How blcst the LOT Of ,ho;e
Who for their country die
Sink on her bosom TO repose,
And triumph where they lie


fused The renose OF death, but, in It's stead has Civ
en- il 10 them TO linger through half centurv Of
pain and want, p,ued, perhaps. vet unrel'ev-d,
dragging their wounded limbs over the soil which
they have rescued from foreign grasp. to find
some solitary spot where they may be allowed
little ash to cover them. Surely public gratitude
is but ficon--or, at most, name
Gen Jones' Of North Carolina in 1920 resigned
the Office OF Maior General Of the Militia OF that
State. 10 his letter to The General Assembly, ten
dr,ing his resignation, he exhibits his views in re-
iation to the militia from which we have been
requested 20 publish the following extract.
Exertinrs 10 discipline the Militia have been
persese, ingy made for thirty years. Instructions
have been given and penalties inflicted Laws and
regulations have multiplied without end. Every
where men of zeal and talents, impelied by the
powerful motives Of public interest and individual
distinction, have afforded their aid--and what has
teen the result +? The Militia are now, in point OF
efficiency, exactly where they when these
mighty efforts commenced aud thirty years more
Of experience would only go to prove that the
proud spirit of itesmen Is not 10 be broken down
into the machinery, which constitutes the efficiency
ri regular army. Nor j. il, in my opinion, in
any poin, OF view, desirable that it should be
Hrnker's Hill. Kings Mountain, and New Orleans
vii. forever attest the ardor Of patriotism, and the
regard for individual character, that is dear to
honorable minds will give an impetus to Mill
liz force that will opetwhelm the frigd order OF
fsgu,ar troops II warfare is protva.ted discipline
Kill in due time supply he pace Of This resstless
bn. transient order And hazard nothing by the
assertion that one week IN actual service will do
more Tor discipline, than the whole life oi fnan
VINO dragged from his family half dozen times
in The year. TO expose his health to the elements
Ms aw'swarness TO the public gaze, and his morals
to The contami alton Of eleciIoneering treats.
If no real good is effected, are no positive evils
produced? Fifty thousand men, d avn away from
their homes and occupations, six times year. de-
duct from tie useful business Of life, labor tina is
worth, at a moderate estimate, one hundred aud
hfy thousand dollars In other words, the industry
OF Moth Carolina is annually taxed one hund, ed
and fifty thousand dollars tor an unatanabe object
M Substantial benefits are Oh oined and the injury
Inflicted upon property aud morals is incalcuable
] would, therefore, take the liberty respectfully
% recommend. measure emnently calculated TO
promote the public veal that the Militia be restrict.
I'd 10 muster but once in the year. and then merely
10 continue their organization and to bring officers
aud men to a knowledge oil each other
These observations are the resgli o! deliberate
Judgment, formed with all the lights afforded b.
twenty four years Of experience in different Offices
in the Ma--on muster grounds in the hacyor
days Of peace, and n the tented field IN the stormy
season OF war. None will consider them as intend
ed to apologize For any former deficiency OF zeal ii
myself entered the Militia service with the mos
sanguine expectations Of introducing reform, anc
when in the Legislature, my most strenuous eyer.
lions to promote the objec. were sustained By
Ike confidence OF success. But the sober lesson
Of experience have taught M he tuuiity Of al
such hopes and attempts, not only here. hat u eve
~ state where l have had knowledge q iht
Militia.
sin peace to prepare for war;" is good maxim
hut " at all times to nculcate the principles ane
Promote the arts Of peace is a better he ex
pense OF the means misapped to promote he hfs
object, would, if properly directed do mach 70 ad
vance both: and from the enlightened and liberia
principles which prevailing, and from nete
estimates being now made than heretofore, OF al
ne objects OF human ambition, | look forward