Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-12-13


possible reason why the power should r
not be assumed on doubtful authority Is I
afforded; for if moro than one fourth OF
the States are unwilling to make the Z
grant. its exercise will be productive Of
discontents which will far oveIbalance
any advantages that could be derived
from it, All must admit that there is {
nothing 80 worthy of the constant solici-
tude of this government, as the harmony
and union ofthe people. Ii
Being solomnly impressed with the
conviction, that the extension ofth pow
cr to make internal improvements be-
yond the limit | have suggested, even II
il be deemed constitutional, is subversive
of the best interests of our country, i
earnestly recommend to Congress to re-
frain from its exercise, in doubtful cases,
except in relation to improvements al
ready begun, unless they shall first pro-
cure from the States such an amendment
of the constitution as will define its char
acter and prescribe its bounds. Ii the
States feel themselves competent to
these objects, why should this Govern
ment wish to assume the power? If they
:, do not, then they will not hesitate to-
make the grant. Both Governments are
the Governments Of the people: improve
ments must be made with the money OF
the people: and if the money can be col
lected and applied by those more simple
and economical political machines, the
State Governments, it will unquestiona-
bly, be safer and better for the people,
, than to add to the splendor, the patron
Al e tt,a al 4
: vernment. But if the people Of the sew
c eral States think otherwise, they will a
o mend the Constitution, and in their de-
u cision all ought cheerfully to acquiesce.
For detailed and highly satisfactory
y view of the operations of the War De-
n partment, / refer you to the accompany
}, ing report ofthe Secretary Of War.
: The hostile incursions of the Sac and
o Fox Indians necessarily led to the inter-
: position of the Government. A portion
st of the troops under General Scott and
C Atkinson, and OF the militia Of the State
l. of Illinois, were called into the field
s. After harrassing warfare, prolonged by
e the nature of the country and by the diff
e fculty of procuring subsistence, the In
= dians were entirely defeated, and the
: disallcctcd band is dispersed or destroy.
,e ed. The result has been creditable to
e the troops engaged in the service.-Se-
Ic we're as is the lesson to the Indians, l:
to was rendered necessary by their unpro-
vokcd aggressions, and it is to be hoped
N that its impression will be permanent and
ir sautary.
st This campaign has evinced the eff
Io,art o.-o,.u.t.cn oc tho md c
:, capacity for prompt and active SERVICE
r. Its several departments have performed
Of their functions with energy and despatch
n and the general movement was satlsiac'
81 tory.
Of Our feIow-citizcns upon the frontiers
&c were ready, as they always are, in the
@ tender of their services in the hour OF
d danger. But moro efficient organza-
IS ton of our militia system is essential to
d that security which is one of the princi-
,r pal objects Of all Governments. Neither
,r our situation nor our institutions, require
l. or permit the maintenance of large re-
'e gular force. History offers too man,
IN lessons Of the fatal result of such mea
I'd sure not to warn us against its adoption
I'd here. The expense which attends IT
e, the obvious tendency to employ it be
n cause it exists and thus to engage in un
C, necessar wars, and its Ultimate DANCE
u to public liberty will lead us, / trust, t
place our principal dependence for pro
ed lection upon the great body of the cit
,cs zcns Of the republic. II in assertn
Ids rights or in repeling wrongs, war shoul
of come upon us, our regular force shoul
IN he increased IN an extent Droportloned
5 the emergency, and our present small al
It's, my is n nucleus around which such fore
la could be formed and embodied. But fc
Of the purposes of defence under ordinar
es- circumstances, we must rely upon tn
to electors of the country. Those by who'
,rc and for whom, the Government was il
ore stituted and is supported, will constitut
IN its protection in the hour Of danger, {
to they do its check in the hour of safet,
en- But it is obvious that the militia sy
tom is imperfect. Much time is los
in much unnecessary expense incurred, ar
cts much public property wasted under Il
the present arrangement. Little useful know
on ledge is gained by the musters and drill
er- as now established, and the whole sui
ac- cct evidently requires thorough exam
, it ination. Whether a plan of classiiic
ap- ton, remedying these defects, and pr
Of viding for system Of instruction, mig
int, not be adopted, is submitted TO the CO
ing sderation of Congress. The Constit
out ton has vested in the General Cover
the mcnt an independent authority upon {
AXE subject of the militia, which renders
RI action essential to the establishment