The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-09

powerful; As sagunium, destroyed by Carthage, and
Numantia By Rome. Butil has been observed Of
those Governments, that their walls and towers
became their funeral piles. leaving nothing 10 their
conauerors bun their ashssT 49, 80
"Bu, the defence OF our country against foreign
enemy does not constitute the only (perhsps not the
chief motive OF military Improvements 10 the cx-
tent contemplated by the proposition we are consi-
dering I've safety Of veps'biic depends much up
on s equality in Ms asa Of amongs its eisssss,
as upon As equality Of rights. Nothing can be more
dangerous In such Government than to have =
knowledge OF the military art confined 10 a part Of
the People: for sooner or later that part will go
The effects OF discipline possessed by few 10 con-
troll numbers without H. Is 10 be seen In all the despo,ic
Governments Of modern as well as ancient times.
In general however, the subjects OF those despo,ic
Governments, which preserve their authority by
standing armies, are not allowed the use Of arms;
but the use Of arms Is no, alone sufficient. A strik
ing example Of this is 10 be found n Of the Gre
clan Republics. The Spanans were enabled by the
force Of discipline alone 10 keep 10 subsection for
ages the Helos and other ancient inhabitants Of La
COMA These men were not only allowed the use
greater part OF the Laced@monian army; nor were
they deficient in bravery. But they were not per
med TO learn that admirable discipline which dis
tinguished the opliles or heavy armed infantry Of
Sparta
Another important consideration, urging the diffn-
sion of military spirit amongst our citizens, is The
counerpose it will afford 10 that inordiaate desire Of
irsaiA rhieA seems 10 hare perpaded Tie uAo NATION,
bringing rih il habits Of lurnry, manners, and pnn-
eiplss Highly snfarOraLIe TO republican iassit.
tions.
The first effect Of this state Of society Is the sub
s,itution OF a standing army for national miiiia-
Upon this subject the committee beg leave 10 make
a quotation from the report OF General KNOX, cor
recied by President WAsHNoroN. at is" says the
patriotic Secretary, ''the introduction Of vice and
corruption Of manners into the mass Of the People
that renders standing army necessary. II is when
public spirit Is despised and avarice, Incidence. and
efemnacy Of manners predominant, and prerea
s establishment of institutions schieh couid esrdtc
the minds Of youth in tie paths Of rirtn< and honor,
that standing army is formed and riveted forever"
So true is the principle here conended for that il
is believed that there is instance in history OF
nation losing Its liberties where the military spirit Of
the People did not decline in the same proportion
tina, the corruption of manners advanced. Nor was
any free Government ever overturned by an inter-
nal convulsion, until the destruction Of that spirit
had been first produced in the body Of the People.
II was no, until the amusements Of the theatre, the
baths and the public gardens, had superseded the
exercises Of the Campus Martius, that Roman ar
my daredo revolt against its country and with the
power OF the sword to substitute for It's free instu-
lions, the arbitrary will Of dictator. Eighty years
before the successful usurpaon of Cesar the revolt
Of an army could have produced no such conse-
quence. But the habits of the People had been
changed. No longer in every Roman CITIZEN was to
be found trained and pracised soldier. The higher
tactics were cultivated indeed, with zeal and sue
cess by a martial nobility Noperiod had been more
prolific of great generals. AT none, had the disc-
pline Of the legons been SO perfect But they were
no longer filled by citizens taking their routine Of
service. The military had become distinct pro-
fession, composed Of men who, in the habits Of war
and pilage, had forgotten the sacred obligations at
tached to their character as citizens and who were
ever ready, upon the suggestion of their leader,
TO turn their arms against their country the enemy
whom they were raised to oppose.
I'm searching for landmarks to guide us to our OBJ
ect 1t will be in vain that direct attention to
The modern nations of Europe From them we can
borrow nothing to aid our purpose. Governments
formed upon artificial distinctions in society, rhich
estimate their security by Tie inability Of their subjects
TO resist oppression, furnish free people Nth
guides in organizing system of defence uhieh shall
be purely national. We are, however, not without
The ancient republics, from which we have drawn
many Of The choicest maxims upon which TO found
our civil institutions, will furnish also most per-
feet model for system Of national defence. The
whole secret Of ancient military glory, the founda
ton of that wonderful combination Of military skill
and exalted valoI which enabled the petty republic
Of Athens resist the mighty torrent of Persian in
vasion, which formed the walls Of Sparta, and con-
Quoted the Roman legions Influenced, indeed, by
unhallowed molives) to the conquest OF the world,
will be found in the military education of their
youth. The victories Of Marathon and PlaRa, of
Cynocephale and Pydna, were the practical results
Of the exercises Of the Campus Martins and Gym
nasia. 1t is on foundation Of this kind, and OF
this kind only, that energetic national militia
be established
PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS WIDOWS
Speech in Congress 18th December, 1917.
ooHe VI inc Pehsiohs WHICH nave oeen grdhleui
have already expired and others will expire. proba
bly, before the session Of Congress closes. Amongst
the latter is that which was granted to the widow
and orphan Of the late Brigader General Pike. In
descending the Ohio river, (said Mr. H) the eye of
the inquisi,ive stranger is attracted by the humble
dwelling which shelters the widow and orphan OF
that distinguished nero. Should his curiosity carry
him turher and he should be induced to visit the
abode Of this interesting family, he would find, how
ever humble the exterior that neatness, frugal hos
pitalily, and comfort were TO be found within It's
walls; that the lady had expended proper portion