Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-01-06
CARDUS.


THE .nilha.-lt ls to be hoped that a.
mougst the first acts Of the approaching
session Of the Maryland Legislature, will
be one for repeating the laws, that require
mluSterings Of the militia; or militia train
ings as they are called in New England.
These worse than useless parades, have
been recently done away with in several Of
the Eastern states, and with universal APP
probation. no Far rs we may. 1d55s - a.
public papers. We DO not know whether
the same law prevails for the county as for
Baltimore City; perhaps to shew the
favour by which that city IS usually re-
carried. the fines are heavier and the law
more rigorous towards its inhabitants; but
/ we believe that every master workman,
and every man Of sound observation, Will
Iuniie IN The opinion that the laws on this
subject are highly pernlclous and exceed
Iinriy unjust. Every sort OF business IS
interrupted, apprentices must turn Out on
fixed days, acquiring habits of lldcoess
and dissipation; or their master must ay
s their fines: the industrious mechanic GHs'
throw away the time necessary TO tne
/ maintenance of his family on be lined Ia
the same amount as the most opu.en! cut
zen. 1t is poiHiax of the most positive
and odious charac cr. and strange TO tell
enacted and permitted to remain on the
statute book in times when so many things
more valuable and worthy of public ell
conraCemenl. are denied existence OF
IbHghted, by love Of popularity almost as
universal as it is vulgar; not the patriotic
love Of elevated reputation which ought
only 70 be the reward of superior talents
i usefiIlly employed; but that gross pursuit.
of Mace, which leads the demagogue tC
address himself by the lowest means tc
men of the lowest order.
For such men these militia musterlngs
answer as convenient occasions for shew
| inc of their liberality by the distribution o
( stiil-burnt whiskey, commencing them
srYees most modestly at the same time as
Of al men the "genteelest, the wisest, the
discreetest, best"
Were il true that the militia IS The
cheapest, instead of being asst Is the dear
est defence of nations, is it not bad enough
in time of war and its exigencles TO make
/ the same reouisition on The poor man, who
lives by his daily labour, as on the rich one
whose property Is to be defended! Blu
under the existing laws, in profound peace
all have TO pay the same tax; or, which Is
the same thing, to give the same portion o
their time. for 'time is money" aud mort
particularly so with the labOuring man.
II any body would argue, that IN throw
ing out reflections on this subject, we arr
departing from the proper subjects of thi.
journal, let him take the case Of a labour
ing man in the country who must pay h.
hard earned money, or 60 to one OF thes'
drum beating, whiskey drinking musters
let him calculate the time expended, the
neglect ofhis domestic concerns IA has ab
sence. and the danger Of contracting baC
habits, AID then say, whether, N tie az
gregate, the evil is not Of sufficient magui
Ifude to call for the repeal Of laws that com
pei the people, under heavy penalties, 4
dissipa,e precious time, where even tb'
, military smattering acquired. IS as muci
worse than total inexperlence, as fana
ticism aud false doctrine are worse thai
downright ignoranoe.--A'Hsyisaa Farmsr