Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-09
For the DeiaaUare Jouynal.
THE MILITIA.


Two years have passed. since the present Militia
law of this State has been in operation full time there
FORE has been given the public at large, to test by exper
ience the advantages and disadvantages OF this system
For one, do not hesitate to myself friendly to well
organized and efficient militia, being opposed to large
standing armies But does this present militia system Of
this State, come under that denomination think not
believe the disadvantage very far balance any good that
from such meetings.
Those who have had experience, believe universally
agree, that few days camp, for body of men, gives
item more insight and real information in military
tactics, than be obtained in years. by meeting few
days annually The evils Of these trainings meetings
| think, very great.
FIRST very considerable loss is sustained by the COM
mny large from the total cessation of labour that
day at very busy and important of the year.
Second The parade ground the afternoon and night Of
parade day. IS scene Of shocking drunkenness and vice.
from negroes well as Whites who collect merely spec
tators
The laws of this State prohibit racing-and of the
principle urged against are the of riot and
drunkenness that follow. No be worse
than what has been exhibited upon Of these parade
grounds
The 6nes for non-atcndance bear think hard all
classes but particularly upon certain portion of the
community, who not attend from religious principles
amounting to eight dollars annuay-a tax in these times
think really grevious.
In time of profound peace, where the advantage Of
these military parallels all that the good of the State
quires believe to know the effective force of her militia
to accomplish this meeting annually, in Companies
for half day, would be all tiat necessary Encour
age volunteer corps whose pride and ambition would be
sufficient to stimulate them to discipline, and they would
be always ready 20 the State in sudden emergency
and with much advantage and effect than the militia
possibly could from their want of discipline. To en-
courage these volunteer corps, would give them certain
privileges they should be exempt from personal aXths
would believe many to join independent OF Other
considerations.
The present law, however, think is otous in many
points, and unconstitutional in several OF its sections.
By the Constitution of this State, property shall
be taken or applied to public use, without compensation
being made.
i BY this militia law, any having musket &c. is
required brngit parade with him, and if he docs not
is liable be fined the same, abseltec-te State
makes hun compensation for the Of his property,
the of his time and abour, which contend is hi
individual property she had right to it, withou
compensation When called into actual service, the State
pays every individual for the time served but in this
number of days service required, and for which
compensation given If the State has right to require
four days grautous service she has the right
= que four months. To this believe few would submit
and is from small encroachments that "we the people,
ii have most to fear.
u "The military SHALL in all cases. and at all times be
t. strict suborlination to the civil power.'
BY the present law, the military entirely beyon
the controul OF the civil power. They prohibited
re any way having hearing or redress--a Court Mirt
meets and fines those it may in its judgment think fit
officers then ordered to coecad you have redes
ID not military Court of Appcal-and however har
your may be, the civil power can not by this law ute
c fee. trust however,, some one sufficiently determines
will be found (and who is able in pecunary way) to te
II its constutonay, under the fines Northumberland brl
d. it before the Courts of this State.
Of what advantage to the public have military fines
to been take the experience OF our own Sate we s
or along very well without them Look Pennsy lvsna
he years back levied thousands OF dollars upon her ctize
d. annually as militia ineswhat went with them Did III
ever although collected, find their way INTO the Sta
V Treasury No, they consumed by Courts MART
np Courts Of Appeal Collectors &c and the public Ireasu
on never received dollar oft This system chang
re and by the present law two dollars think exempts fro
"a all service time of peace-and certain of yea
M service volunteer exempts you from military duty,
,g cept in case OF war.
he BY h,rrassng your citizens in time of peace witt
service odous to nny you have of war, high
ny claim for seryicethen call Quit encamp the militia
he the public good would require it,-and every
be cheerly bear his portion of the burden, and
or lin camp would do more for the discipline OF the mit
In than ten years under the present system.