Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-17
.sleiphing.-Wc do not recollect the time.

upper end If broad way, counted alter twei'e
clock ON Monday. "a sIeighs 9ong out OF town
tbronoh one al the numerous outlets OF the city.
Among them were several with Tour horses at
sreatmai Ilitg were what are called
PINGS. with Que horse; and there were many
common sleds. haying on them crates. dry-good
boxes. hoosI,eads, boats, baskets. hampers, &c
filled with men, women and tpiIdren. we sa"
three men riding along very gra'eiy, standing
up in hog,head, which was dashed 10 Sled
Such ginyie of bells we never heard. ltis cal
cuIated that about two thousand OF these vehicles
were in mutton on Monday. The taverns in the
country are doing good business. and would do
much better if their Accommodations were more eX-
teusiye. Thousands of dollars each hour change
hands during this fine sleighing, both day and
night. The horses have no rest, expect perhaps
few that are killed by hard driving.
NeW- York Gazette.
-aes5sas.
Private advces from the Seat OF Government
of the State Of Kentucky, whose Legislature Is
now in session, inform us, that on the 4th INST.
four ba lettings took place for a senator OF the
United States, to succeed Mr. Rowan, after the
sd of March next On each time of voting, John
!. Crittenden 1.-THE National Republican candi-
da,e) received sixty eight votes One vote mere
would have elected him. The other 90 votes
were divided lone or two seattle, ed votes except
eJ) between Richard NJ. Johnson and Mr. Rowan.
On the 9Th ballotting the former received sixty
four votes. the latter three votes, and Charles "A.
Wicklife two votes The ballotting was TO be
resumed at 9 o'clock on the following morning.
The result was of course uncertain until ascer-
tanned: but il was understood that parties were
50 divided. that the Jacksonians could not sue
coed in eccting their man, though they might
succeed in defeating an election altogether at
the present Session,-NM. I'M.
-ssaSesea-
The present militia system appears to be un-
popular in large proportion OF the United States
Tie laws of Congress establishing its general
principles. were passed soon after the formation
of the national government, when the cIrcumstan-
ces of the country were very different from those
which at present exist. Many sources of dam
ger to the peace and security Of the nation. which
we're then in beng. have been removed; and OF
course system, which was then adapted to the
exgencies of the republic, would naturally be
inapplicabe to the State OF things at the present
time. The militia laws of Congress declare that
all able bodied males, between the ages OF IL
and As, shall be enrolled in the militia At
that time there were probably not more than four
million of inhabitants, in the United States
Now there are three times the number. And in
nearly the same proportion that we have multi
Piled, have the dangers which once were cOnsd-
cred as formidable. in great measure disappear
ed. There is in our view scarcely the least prob
ability. that there will ever be an attempt by
any foreign power to invade this country by
hostile force. Nothing but extreme folly or mad
ness in Il foreign government, can ever lead to
such result; because no power on earth can ev-
err expect to meet with success in such an enter
prize In the early history of our government,
there were large and numerous tribes OF Indians
within our limits, whose ennity was to be dread
ed as there was no security against 1t, and their
character was sanguinary and ferocious Those
tribes have in a great measure removed, or melt
Ell away. and there is now very little tear OF their
disturbing any of the settled part of the country
These changes in our condition and circum-
stances, render it far less necessary to include
such large proportion of the people in the rolls
of the militia. Not being necessary, it is of
course great burthen; because the militia du
ties fall upon large portions of the community,
who are least able to bear them. Such is the
case with young nell from the age of IL to 25.-
Persons of this age are always engaged in laying
the foundation of their future pursuits IN life.
establishing themselves in business. preparing to
become heads of families, and to take the great
concerns of life into their own care and manage
ment And when men between the ages of 25
and 40, have devoted themselves to military du-
ties and services for ten or fifteen years, they
have borne as heavy burthen.and been as deeply
taxed, as Justice. or the interests of the country
require The period, then, during which our peo-
pie are liable to militia duty, ought, in our
Judgment, to be shortened, and brought within
the limits that we have mentioned.
The duties and services now required of the
militia, also demand alienation. The practice
of calling them out for number of days every
year for the purpose Of exercise and parade is
worse than useless. 1t produces no manner of
benefit to the public; and ii is not only extreme
ly oppressive to the soldier, but often in fatal
degree pernicious. The manual exercise taught
on these occasions, possesses not the least posi-
BILE advantage; norho we believe that the move
ments are worth any thing more than the exer-
else. 1t is in the power of the States to relieve
their citizens from these last mentioned burthens
and exactions. The former are III the hands Of
the national government. From the extensive !
and loud complaints in the country, we are con-
WINGED that the system must be materially chang
ed; and we cannst but think the sooner it is un-
A. Lo..or Du;y,, NIL,