Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-06-03
THE MILITIA SYSTEM.

THE MILITIA SYSTEM.
There are few important topics which occupy
the time of the Legislative Bodies, that attract
little the serious attention of the People as the or
ganizaton of the Militia This is the more surpr-
sing every arrangement with regard to this sub
ject must necessarily involve not only the pecunary
interests but the personal liberty ola large portion
of the community. Should proposition be made
to Congress, to increase the standing army to the
extent OF one thousand men, and at an annual ex
pense of 100000 dollars, we should be stunned by
the clamours of all the Demagogues from end OF
the Union TO the other; and Yeti "Friends
of the People," will listen with composure and as
sent without murmur. to proposition which COM
pels one million and half of our citizens to undergo
worse than useless drudgery, during period of
profound peace, and which places them under the
most despotc military government, during the cou-
tnuance Of any war in which their country may be
engaged. | am particularly anxious at present to
arouse to renewed efforts those citizens who have
heretofore made Intellectual attempts to accomplish
either reform, total abolition of this detcstable
system of national oppression There is now within
our reach of documentary evidence which
never before existed, and which is sufficient to de-
monsrate TO the satisfaction of every rational mind,
the infamous tendency of the present militia law,
and which by many will be deemed conclusive proof
of the utter nutlty of any law whatever, upon the
subject of the militia.
/ The militia returns heretofore received at Wash
ngton from the different States have been oImper-
feet, as never to be entirely relied upon by the Gov
eminent, and consequently it is impossible to state
with accuracy, the total number OF citizens, between
the ages Of g, and 49, who are subject to militia du
ty hut by the latest returns it appears, that the en-
rolled militia of Pennsylvania, is one hundred and
sixty thousand and as the population OF the State
forms about one tenth of the aggregate OF all the
States in the Union, is fair to presume that the
number of persons in the United States, subject to
the operation of the militia law. is million six
hundred thousand! Will any rational being assert
/ that such body otmen could in any emergency be
! wanted for the purpose of executing the laws Of
the Union, suppressing instructions and repelling
i invasions," which are the only constitutional EN-
i ployment of the militia None but Epauletted
. Body who is welded to the system of furnishing
n the only mean of exhibiting his ungalnly person tt
the best advantage, would answer the question in the
i affirmative and even against such one woult
at contend and prove too, that the who had neve
is passed the limits of his barn yard, would MAKE
= better soldier than one who had regularly attend
,e ed for wears the militia musters. feel disposed t.
Or enlarge upon these topics, but restrain my pen ror
an apprehension that many observations of my ow
IS added to the numerous quotations, which purpos
We making might extend this article to great lengt
MS would discourage many of your readers from er
tering upon its perusal. | shall therefore procee
- to the matter in hand, without further preface
Towards the close of the year 1926, Board
Military Officers assembled at Washington, by al
pointnent of the Secretary of War, for the purpo:
md Of suggesting such alterations in the Militia System
as might be deemed worthy the consideration of Co
~ gress The report ofthat board has been publish
'. n pamphlet form, together with mass of betwe
Ii, two and three hundred pages of letters, receiv
Nh from the most distinguished military in the u
of ted States.
The letters to which have alluded, were WI
49, ten in answer TO circular from the Secretary
,,.n War, containing nineteen questions connected W
49, military affairs. shall select for publication, so
Of the answers received from different States of
- - Union to the 9th question, which was III the
The lowing words
'"' From qour experience are frequent musters ADJ
r. tageous to the great body Of the militia?
:. ANSWERS.
PENNSYLVANIA. :" General I. Cad1calader--l
not consider frequent musters as advantageous
.. the great body Of the militia. No correct instr
Del ton is received at such musters, and their eiec
Ten tha nor,Is of the neonle is nositiyey INJURIOUS
last CooneIG. Misunderstanding can be more
r le t;relv inefficient than the militia under the exs
organization. Attend militia muster, under
n. most favorable circumstances, in retired couI
4t situations and riot, drunkenness and every specie
immortality are the order Of the day.
Major Joseph r. hagersoN Assemblies of
IS. idle and dissipated thus convened, do no good,
Sc of the neglect Of work by the industrious poor,
ay of much harm
lock, Colonel Peter a. Brown.--Four, six, or e
year DAYS military training in year. can never NAL
en- soldier, but it may make a drunkard and an il
at 1t ought to be entirely abolished
. MARYLAND General Richard Ho1Card. My
are perence of musters is considerable, having attt
njoy- ed them as Commander OF the 20 Kes'Ment
! the many years. and am decidedly Of opinion that
are Instantaneous to the militia. They tent