The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-11-19

that moment he resumed his chaunt, and
lifting two handsful Of dust, from the floor,
sprinkledit on his heaG and sung with wild
and heartpiercing pathos, "pal lal, pal lal."
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From the Taunton Reporter.
MUSTER.
Under this head, in the last Fall River
Monitor, the poor militia have to bear an
accession of the pitlless storm which pours
in upon them from every quarter; and woe
to the luckless wight Who happens TO have
tho misfortune of being in any way con-
nected with il, for he 10 sure to have his
labor rewarded by the sneers, contempt
and abuse Of those who are as much in.
debted to its support and maintenance as
he who shoulders his gun, loses his timo
and spends his money in obedience 10 laws
which compel him TO make the sacrifice.
And why has it become so Uery fashiona-
bio in this nge Of illumination TO heap a.
buse and scurrility upon On institution
which the trainers Of the Constitution
deemed cxpedient and necessary, and
sanctioned by the decided and unequivocal
appreciation of the Father Of his Country;
and which the Legislature have felt to be
Of so much consequence, that no effort on
the part Of its enemies have hitherto been
enabled to overthrow. Ii will, we are a.
ware, be objected in reply, that public o.
pinion is against its continuance. BE it 80,
then lot public opinion in legal way put a
period TO its existence by repeating the
law which imposes tax that bears heayi
y and unequalIy upon that part of our citi.
zens who are the least able 10 bear it-and
we will say amen to it. But until this is
done, lot those who bear the heat and bur
den of the day do it without being abused&
rdiculed while in the discharge Of duty
enjoined by law; and who by their obedi.
ence and regard for the laws are entitled
10 the respect and appreciation Of their ieI-
low citizens.
But it ia said the militia has become USE
less, and moreover,is in disgrace. And if so,
Is II not because our modern wisencres
who have been improperly exempted from
the duty Of carrying a musket by holding
somo petty office, having nothing else TO do
but discover IN their wisdom thnt the Of.
ficers and soldiers are not perfect in dis
cipline, and that tho militia ore not equal
, TO regular troops but on the contrary, that
ihoy are what the law intended and ex.
pected they should be- an armed body Of
citizens; necessary in every government,
where the laws and the Liberties of the
people are exposed and liable 10 he sub
yertod by combinations Of ambitious and e.
vii disposed persons, without such n force 70
keep them IN awe. And ifriot and drunk
cnncss are the attending eoLsPpuences
upon military parldcS, so they nre upon ey.
cry assGmblnEo Of men OH other occa
| sions. And are tho soldiers, who in the
| discharge Of legal duty meet together,
/ 10 beOr the blBme2 !; is an idle and IN.
| founded charge; ono which has been DO Of,
ten repeated that it will perhaps be in vain
at this tlno TO attempt TO refute it-you
might as well accuse them of being the
cnuso OF drunkenness on other days, as
those when assembled for reviews. No
drunkenness neOds no aid from the militia
or from military parades. It Is colussus
| OF itself, n force moro powerful than the
armed legions Of Cgshr, for no special
| times or occasions are necessary for indul.
gence and excess-Hut says tho obioctor
accidents and sometimes death result from
| these parudes. So they do in every other
| transaction Of life ; Snd are tho militia TO
be charged as being accesary 10 these cns
ualtles We think no rejecting person Will
say they arc. But after all, if such evils
blow in consequence Of military parades
! hey are but the occasions, not the cause.
The evils lie deeper; and are TO be found
! 10 the dapravod habits and propensites of
( that class Of people, And to remedy the C.
! vii, let tho drunkard cease from his cups
and his po,ations at home, and learn 10 be-
sober; let tho brawlcr become peacable and
cease from wrungling, and tho profane
swesrer refrain from his impreca,ions AND
blssphemes, and the military parades will
no longer exhibit those scenes so often de-
scribed and deprecated by those who
seem ic DO inspired only on these occa.
sions in advocating the cause of temper
ance end good order. We have made
these remarks in view of what we feel and
believe 10 be the serious injustice so fire.
quenily done to that part OF our citizens, who
in every other way but as prescribed mill
tia men are entitled 10 as much respect g.
consideration es any of the community in
which they live-and with no unfriendly
feelings TO the writer Of the piece first al.
ludod IN for he did bnf follou, tbo fashion.