Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-16
COMMUNICATIONS.
THE MILITIA.

delinquent Militia having made some remarks
over the signature, Many of the Peoples, 1t may not DC
amiss to notice afew OF them
FIRST two years is sufficient time to test the adyana-
ges or disadvantages OF this SYSTEM"
Previous to the passage of the present law the Militia
this State had been organized for twelve years OF those
who had formerly held commissions, many had died. many
had left the State and OF those remaining but few amy
were willing to the task OF ieorganlzng
sequenty officers had to be made in many of those
who had all their duties to learn have seen at the first
parades Captains who could not carry thergun at shout
der; Majors not knowing the diierend between pla-
toon and section and Colonels who could moi form
pany it off the ground after it was formed and
have doubt that some OF the Generals would not have
been able perform the duties of an Adiuant at Of
hcers drill have many of these officers. since, dis
charge their duties with credit 10 themselves and edca
ton to the men under their command Some of them have
retired and others disposed to devote study, time,
and in instances talents to the undertaking, have
filed their places and give them time and they will quail
ity themselves annul their COMMISSIONS and they will
never again open military book; what science they have
obtained will be forgotten, and when 1t shall be necessary
to organize the militia again, you must lookfor your Off
GERS among the description of persons that they
selected from, years since There is one position
hold inconrovertbe, that you have deficient" boz
DIV of officers there will be difficulty in forming " e
fcicnt" body of men, and no body OF men can be et
clent' without I" efic ent'' officers.
The Camp idea, it relates to militia, en- masse is a
mere gull, mpracticabe.
The loss of time is more particularly complained of by
those, who do not turn out than by tnoSe VINO uo have
heard persons who have been on arevlew ground the
whole day, complain of waste of time, when they them
selves had wasted the day in dencss, as spectators, al
though subject to militia duty and liable to be fined for
answering to their names at roll CALI and then com
plain of the want of court appeal from court martial
that they attended or thought worthy their notice.
The scenes of d" shocking drunkenness and vice" are
completely within the power and control OF the civil
thory aud if the Magistrates Sherffs, nstabies and
Grand Jurors neglect their duty do not blame the militia
this drunkenness and vice. lies with the Spectators
negroes as well as whites"
The laws of this sa,e very wisely prohibit racing and
every other species gambling and long live the law
The fines for attendance do not bear hard those
who willing comply with the law and know Of
portion OF the community that entitled to exemptions
aud privileges that the whole body not alike entitled to-
Encourage Volunteer Corps"-A very pretty PROPOSE
ton! relieved ola tax OF One dollar and Miryfve
year, and deprived of the right of suffrage for equipments,
from twelve to thirty days drill company expenses and
the high privilege of emergencies Of being
the militia organizing training drafting setting pre-
cedence and Many OF the people" looking fora sub
stitue. Call you this backing OF your friends plague
| on such backing, say l.
this militia law any having musket &C.. will
refer him to the National law Of 1899 Sec -" That
ry citizen regularly enrolled in the militia of the U. S.
shall pro,ide himself with good musket or hrelock SC.
&C." This Law is still i'll force and the present State law
made nearly conformity to that law the
sites Of he times warranted AS to the constitutional
cit epare them for the defence of the State
wheever she shall deem it necessary, will argue
the ttuton is hobby you cannot ride, therefore
| had better not mount.
"Many Of the people" is seriously vexed for want of
court Of appeal. "Many Of the people, would find him
self themselves, in the same situation with court of
appeal without read his for him: MA
ny Of the people, has Id the law utter Defiance not
turned any muster appeared before the Compa-
ny court marta with his excuse, If they had one, paid
any attention TO the reqston Of the law, until the coec-
tor calls him for the fine then he wants Of ap.
peal time when # there such court he could not
get his III it, Blu there appeal, and if proper
tention paid to 1t, every person VINO has good
for not at ending militia muster, be reheycd but
Many OF the people" considers rather degrading
appear before militia court martial or appeal to militia
captIn-No part portion Of the militia fines Of this
State can be appropriated to expences OF martial,
as described IN his communications The members OF the
courts martial bear their expences for which, and
their time they are allowed nothing and MANY of the
people" desires courts of appeals on the terms.
The fines that have been collected will be refunded
and those that been levied for the past and present
year think will be rigdly collected. Many OF Off
&c and the fines plegedby the State for their reim
bursemen; the great body Of cir2cns have chccrully
complied with the law, and those that have the law
defiance, must abide the penalty and il in future they wish
to escape the payment OF eight dollars let them do their
duty A VOLUNTEER.
-.nEle