The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-01-09


little or nothing as an equivalent for avoiding
ITS obligations. Much which might be propos.
ed tor the relief of the citizens from this tax OF
! personal service, is denied to the State Gov.
eminent, by the controlling authority of Con-
gress over the period of enrolment. Yet some
palliative may be offered to the occasion OF
present complaints. The time of active duty
IN the Train Bands, may be abridged. AL
though the men are to be enrolled and equipped,
IN compliance with the laws Of the United
States they may be excused from drill and dis
clPtsRe, except within a more limited age
The absolute exemptions should then be less
numerous, and the forleitures for neglect high
er and more definitely and strictly approprat-
cd to the encouragement of those, who perform
Inc service. To preserve efficiency and good
/ appearance IN the Companies, these should not
DC multiplied, except where there is full COM
1 PIGMENT OF men to compose them. Volunteer
corps should be encouraged, but the numbers
required for their organization should be in
creased, and whenever their ranks become ma
terlally reduced, they should be disbanded In
I THIS latter respect, | more particularly recon-
mend an alteration of the present law in en-
iargIhg the number, by at least one half its
present sum, below which Volunteer Corps
shall not be permitted to remain. Nothing can
be more absurd in military arrangements, or
more directly tend to repress a spirit ofimprove-
ment, than thin ranks in companies. having
i nearly an equal number Of Officers with the
i privates to be commanded. The inspection
rolls already show too many instances of this,
} in the Militia
If in conformity with these general sugges-
= lions OF opinion, which are with great defer
ence submitted, the period of liability to mill
) tary duty, beyond what is requred by the Unit
LED States laws, was confined to the ages be-
III
years, and with the exemptions only, which
Those laws create, and public and incompatible
engagements in the State, should render nee
Gessary, all were made subject to its perform
ance, under enhanced and substantial penalties,
faithfully appropriated TO the encouragement
OF the corps to which delinquents should belong,
1t is believed there would be an essential equal
lZation OF the burden, which is necessarily i'm
posed to preserve any degree of militia organ
izatlon. The shorter Continuance of the labil-
lty and its exclusive application to young men
least sensible to its Inconvenience, would re-
move the pressure from those, upon whom it
has hitherto borne with the greatest sever
ity.
At the January Session of the Legislature
! of the last political year, transmitted by spec
lal Message, an application of the Secretary Of
the Navy OF the United States, made at the in
stance OF the Commissioners ofNavy Hospitals,
Tor cesslon of jurisdiction to the National
( Government over tract of land in the town
I OF Chelsea, for the use of Navy Hospital at
that place. Upon recurring to the journals
and files of the two Branches, it appears, that
no definite determination was had upon this
application. In the House of Representatives
a Bill was introduced, which was referred to a
select COMMITTEE who subsequently reported
| SPECIFIC objections to its passage, IN the shape
Hgp1 AZ fln.,r L. L
ed In the Senate an order OF reference TO the
next session was adopted; and in neither
Branch has the subject been since moved
Very recently, the Secretary of the Navy has
addressed to me request that | would again
call the attention of the Legislature to the APP
| phcatlon, and do 1t with the more readiness,
] from conviction, that no object can be pre-
sented, better entitled to favorable regard, than
this interesting provision for the relief, and
comfort, and support, in nfirmity, and the de-
/ cline of life, of gallant seamen. The Hospital
/ at helsea is intended as a Haven to them from
the storms OF exhausted years, and the disabili-
ties which war infllcts upon a class of men, the
first and most exposed to its destructive effects
1t will be the honored Asylum of the sea-worn
sailor and of the Scared and MANNED veteran
in their country's perilous service. Patriotism
and benevolence are alike the advocates for en-
enlargement to the purposes of this noble In
stitution. The objections which were hereto
1 fore offered to the cession of Jurisdiction are
easily obviated, and at least, grant, modified
to the occasion, and limited in extent and dura-
ton by the actual Improvement of the land for
the use of Hospital, with the usual reserva-
ton of concurrent jurisdiction, may, as it
seems to me, with safety and proprIety be con-
! ceded
! The members of the Legislature have at this
the execution of the Resolve of the 18th Of
| June last, which authorized the erection of
1 suitable building for the reception and perna-
nent location of the Statue of Washington, by
the Artist CHANTEREY, procured at the cost
and under the direction of the Washington
| Monument Association. The Trustees of that
! association have accomplished the interesting
| Commission with which they were charged, in
a manner alike honorable to themselves, and
satisfactory to the public. A splendid speci-
men of the Arts, and an enduring memorial of
grateful remembrance to noble virtues and pat
riotic services, is seen in the Statue, which
now adorns this edifce. Henceforth, the inn
age of him " loho 1caS first in tie hearts of his
cOuntrymen' will be sensibly present in the
! halls of the government, with the representa-
tives and servants of the people, to keep con-
stantly alive in their minds, the recollection of
his precepts and farewell injunctions, and to
animate them in the performance of public du-
| ty by the teachings of his example, forever
No other place was so suited to the position of
this grand and impressive object. 1t will hero
remind us all of our obligations to country. It
will repove in us, and those who shall come af.
ter us, SO long as a virtuous sentiment shall re-
main to respect the consecrated marble, every
disloyal and unpatriotic feeling. 1t will in.
struct Ruters how they are responsible to the
people, and the People, what should be the
character of their rulers. 1t will speak more
of the civic virtues of the sovereignty of the
laws; of reverence for the Constitution of the
inviolability of the Union.
To the Washington Monument Association
not only is the country indebted for the posses
| sion of the Statue but thks Counnnnarenhh