Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-10

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V.' ,.cs,berr When thus cooperating, the OH
". q the regular army take rack OF all m'li'a
's s'ar. Of the same grade, whatever may be the
I,,s Of their respective commissions ih'S rule
rIIr beneficial to the public interest, because,
,,;,ssut creating invldious distinctions siSest 10
S '"sr;euce its proper weight BY granting
Ike, commissions. after ten years service IN
40 orade, agreeably to the present rule, expert
I'D officers will be provided Tor command up
"Je,schment. or at posts where the objects are
.a,rortant on the danger imminent.
IN. construction, which has been given to the
, mon this subject, has restricted the granting
.fhr,,et commissions upon prior ones to those
20. only where ten years services have been
,aoJered under such prior commissions. There
NV hs some doubt respecting the correctness OF
,1,: vi.w. and also the expedency OF the restric-
These commissions, except 10 the few instances
.,,ted. and those very proPer,occdsIon no expense
- tho Government. They are in their operation
ard, for past good conduct, and incentives to
s,,nre. They cannot be abused, tor ten years
',,,rss certainly qualify an officer for higher
III. and TO attain by brevct promotion the rank
Ibirader general from the commencement OF
,bs term Of captain, requires period OF forty
car, Aud if to this be added the necessary
,c,r.ss through the two lower grades OF first aud
.sr9u! lieutenant, the prospect Of a young man,
m entering our service, is not very flattering-
Mar has he much to hope from his pay. 1t IS
h,,,Iy sufficient to enable the officers with rigid
economy, to live respectfully; and few OF them
l.,,e for their children any inheritance but good
NAME
II i, important that a Just pride of character,
,er,,ua and professional, should be encouraged
u class Of men, whose usefulness depends es-
.oo,ii!iy upon the cultivation of such feeling.
FIN, system of promotion, 81 useful IN war and
economical 10 peace, offers honorable objects OF
,mbllion, anu cannot fail to stimulate the exer-
1ns Of the officers of the army.
The situation Of the militia demands the atten-
ion Of the Government. Owing to defects IN
the system itself. or i'm the mode OF its admins
'ra,lon. public confidence has been impaired in
ue efficacy of that great branch of the national
defence. This Is TO be regretted; Tor, although
di. force cannot be regarded as our most lmpor-
amt means Of safety in the event OF war, Is still
valuable auxiliary, and one which the nature OF
our Institutions, opposed as they are TO large
Standing army, renders Indispensable. The pow
erof organizing. armins, and dlsciplining the MI
lila Is granted BY the Constitution to Congress;
and il the laws upon this subject are inadequate,
or inadpquately executed, it is for the wisdom OF
That bOdy to apply the remedy.
II this great defensive force be called out un-
der proper circumstances, it may contribute, es-
,,nually, 10 the security Of the country. In re-
curing to our own experience, we find many In
stance, Of the courage and devotedness of our mi
lla; and the two battles that opened AMI closed
our military history furnish practical illustrations
Of the value of this Institution, and Of its power
ia effects in situations favorable to its operation.
The National Guard Of France, upon which the
late OF that interesting country seems to depend,
IS buta local militia, constituted like nur vOlun
tser companies, but with a more efficient organi
aaton. BY anticipating too much, however, from
Oar militia force, we prepare the way tor disap-
pNntlnent; and this was the error of the late war;
consequence Of which, our attention has been
probably Withdrawn from the value of the system
n'elt, A regular iorce is indispensable TO the
vigorous prosecution OF any permanent military
operations, offensive or defensive. But il ma,
aided by irregular troops, and its place also
supplied, until measures for providing II can be
adopted We cannot expect, that militia drill,
Upon Ule present system, will give much instruc-
I'm The time and attention devoted TO it are
u"er'y insufficient for such purpose. Nor is it
probable. that enough Of either will be granted in
uGe OF peace, to convey much military know
use 10 The great body of our citizens. Ii Is still
Important however. that due organization should
preserved, and portion Of time devoted to
MS Huty' In the most unexpected and serious
onersency. The national strength could not be
.l'eu INTO action, unless individuals were assign
"oC particular classes, either local or personsi,
wv r Knew their situation; and unless there were
'A'er' 10 direct the movements. And this ar
rsSement has also tendency to preserve and
Vnu'e much military knowledge; for many will
%"a!s u'rect their attention to the subject, led
= HeIlnaton as well as duty to acquire infor.
aa'on, and to qualify themselves for the various
auctions required to be performed. Our ooun-
ss.~eo' generally, are accustomed to the use Of
~s arms from early youth; and in the manage
'l' OF these they have little need of instruction.
u ue'Olng the field days, therefore. to the SIM
rI e'O'"tlons, some knowledge will be gained,
-au me whole community will be practically re-
%.ued OF the claim. which may be made upon
G'sr services. They will feel that his civil re-
.''s are not the only ones which exist between
Gl'izen and his country. but that he is bound
:, ."isaiIons. and that the defence Of all Is en-
Va'tel to ALL.
,,' - 1870 board Of officers. selected from the
sua' army and the militia. was convened at
I.0.HA L