American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-11-02
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Tie Militia Lar Of The State Of Dein Ysrs
NJ. Ii.

IF, a. haze before stated, the militia system Of
~ state coe.. the arms bparing citizens who are
about SEQ men. at least $4,000 dollars annual
/. no. ri.ht aud proper that the people Cat any
rae the / 900 persons who pay thi, enoim"us
49, ,,onld examine the matter to see whether
NE isrctt ai-in. from the present organization Of
IKE militia will be equal to the expense :? In what
dies its utility consist 1t brings about something
IKE organization but does it make soldiers ]:
No hazard the assertion that men in actual SER
vice three days will acquire more military knowl-
cd,r than is possessed by 10 out 81 20 OF tlose in
any or all of The States of the Union, who have
dime military duty in the ordinnry aoay from ] 8 20
Is wears Of are. For, if volunteers are excepted,
pcoplc do not generally muster for the purpose of
ncoairing military knowledge; but to avoid pay
inc fines. Ii this be a correct view of the case,
our militia law answers no other purpose than to
compel the l. 900 men subject to military duty, to
pay $4,000 dollars tax, annually and for what +
-, for am corresponding beneit--but for mere
parade = mere show-(or .'sounding brass or a
tnkling cymbal"
The principle on which our republican institu-
TONS is founded, Is llat the will of the majority
should govern; whilst d, ,he sam, time the inter.
css aud feelings Of the minority "a uld be respcc.
ted as far as possible and Inc ture of the case
will admit We cannot pretend ~ set up ourselves
TO Judge between man and his Maker, and we
should endeavor to avoid doing violence to mems
conscientious scruples.
There are many valuable citizens who are con-
scientlously opposed to dung military duty, Or to
paying any fines that might accrue that account.
Does present state of ppace call for law vio-
ating the conscientious feelings OF such persons
il there vas hostile foe IN our bon dcrs, there
w0lia aprcar more reason IN such law but |
doaot whether reasoR and justice would sanction
il 1T aly time.
Il ne Inc answered the purpose for which it
WAS dr,- ntt, i. e. to make the militia OF our
state acquainted with military tactics, or in Other
words. to make them soldiers which every candid
ntan must Admit il doe, not-stil it would be un-
lust = bccause ii 0Hh men must pay the whole
expense Of the military establishment OF the State ;
ieNcept when in actual service.) and not only So
but the man whn has no property pays just as much
I as he that has large p0sscs,ions 1t there is an
actna necessity for it, the l. 900 militia must
ii-t the battles Of their country, and this is taxing
their patrintism sufficiently, without compelling
thcin To pay the expense. Ii we must have a mil
ita, establishment, (and for one, should have no
objection To rG,iou one, that was not like the
Indian, gun ore expense than profit why
not pay the expense out Of tile State Treasury :
Levy State Tax for the purpose then persons
and property would be taxed according to Their
ability to pay. Then that which is to be protect
ell would paw the expense. Allow every man who
wond uniform and turn out 3, 4 or dollars
per annum - this would be some compensation
tthonsh very small. for the expense OF acquiring
military knowledge. 1900 CT 1000 volunteers.
who would feel proud Of being perfect in the
military art, and who, if the above compensation
mtg was allowed, | believe could be raised in the
State would be more efficient in case OF emcrgen.
cy. than the whole 900 under the present s,s-
TEN: and this could be- done at less than onc-iourth
The expense. and without doing violence to an,
mans conscience and not only So, but the pro-
tecl,i would pay the cost according 10 the pro-
'eclion received. There might be general mill
Tia law, nevertheless. that the Government should
have power to put nto operation in case OF war
or any eat cme ,"ucy for organizing the whole
Of The militia. which could be done in time to re-
licve the roto ,eors who would ARRAYS be ready to
act with effect JUSTICE.