The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-02

JrffiHg MAJ fferdit0a ~ mind mhich a rer0f
iecfion Of his coantry's glory is calculated d
| produce. There are, however, others, and not
a few, that are eminently calculated 10 show
that an immense sacrifice Of blood and treasure
can be distinctly traced 10 the want Of disci-
pine IN the militia. The glorious success which,
| IN several instances crowned their efforts, was
| the result OF uncommon valor, or Of valor uni
ted with the advantage vi position suited to
their peculiar character. The greater part ot
the American militia, accustomed from their ear
! " youth 10 the use Of firearms, are doubtless
more formidable than any other troops in the
world IN the defence of line or rampant Vie
tories in the field are gained by other qualities
by those disciplined eyolutions which give har-
mony and concert 10 numerous bodies Of men,
and enable whole armies 10 move with the activi-
~ and address Of single combatan,s. Let our
militia be Instructed, and america mouid be
equal 10 a contest ruth The rest Of the rorid uni
ted The improvements which have been made
in the art of war, since the commencement Of
the French Revolution, give greater advantages
TO invading and disciplined armies acting against
those Of contrary character, than they before
possessed. This arises from their increased ac-
tvIty, produced by the great multiplication OF
their light troops; the CELEBRITY OF movement
given TO the artillery; and, above ALL 10 the inn
provements in the staff, placing the subsistence
OF large armies upon footing of security be-
yond what was formerly supposed to be possible.
| An improvement in tactics, which gives advan-
lages TO the professed soldier who fights for con-
quest over the citizen who bears arms only in
the defence OF his country is perhaps 10 be re-
GREETED; and no alternative is left to the latter
but 10 perfect himself in the same arts and dis
cipline. II is believed that there is no instance
on record of a Republic, whose citizens had
been trained to the use Of arms, having been
| conquered by nation possessing different form
ID l.... 10.
oveiihrown by those which were more powerful;
as Saguntum, destroyed by Carthage, and NJ
mantia, by Rome. But il has been observed of
those Governments that "thcir walls and tow
| crs became their funeral piles, leaving nothing TO
their conquercrs but their ashes?
Shut the defence of our country against a
foreign enemy does not constitute the only (per-
haps not the chiet) motive Of military improve
ments to the extent contemplated by the propo-
| stion we are considering The safety Of a re-
public depends as much npon The equality in
me nseof arms amongst its citizens, as upon
NE eqna'ity Of rights. Nothing can be more
dangerous in such Government than to have
knowledge of the military art confined to d
part OF the People for sooner or later that part
will govern.
The effects OF discipline possessed by a few.
to control numbers without il, is To be seen in all
the despotic Governments of modern rs well as
ancient times.
In general, however, the subjects OF those
despotic Governments, which preserve their au-
thority by standing armies. are not allowed the
use Of arms; but the use Of arms is not alone
sufficient a striking example of this is 10 be
found in one Of the Grecian Republics. The
Spartans were enabled, by the force of disci-
pine alone, to keep in subsection for ages the He
lots and other ancient inhabitants of Laconia.--
Hhaee maj M. nnt nplv ollowaI tho IF
arms, but upon almost every occasion formed
the greater part Of the I.acedamonian army nor
were they deficient in bravery But they were
not permitted to learn that admirable discipline
which distinguished the oplites or heavy armed
infantry of Sparta
Another important consideration, urging the
diffusion OF a military spirit amongst our citl-
zens, is the counterpoisc il will afford 10 that IN
| ordinate desire ~ meahh nhirh seems 10 hare
perra,ied the mhoie nation, bringing mih II
habits 81 hr'uy, manners, and principles
Mghty npfnr0rdbie Ia orr republican instiht-
| fi0ns.
sThe first effect Of this state Of society is the
substitution Of standing army for national mi
| lita. Upon this subject the committee beg
leave 10 make quotation from the report of
| General KNOX, corrected by President WASH
INoroN Ii is says the patriotic Secretary,
the introduction Of vice and corruption of man
ncrs into the mass Of the People that renders a
standing army necessary. II is when public
spirit is despised, and avarice, incidence, and eff
| femnacy of manners predominant, and prerent
he establishment Of institutions ,rhich rouid
eierafe he minds Of youth IN ne paths Of rir-
| tie and honor, that a standing army is formed
| and rvcted forever. SO true is the principle
here contended for, that il is believed that there
is no instance in history Of a nation losing its
liberties where the military spirit OF the People
did moi decline in the same proportion that the
corruption Of manners advanced Nor was any
free Government ever overturned by an internal
convulsion until the destruction of that spirit
had been first produced in the body of the Peo-
pie. II was not until the amusements of the
theatre, the baths, and the public gardens, had
superseded the exercises Of the Campus Martins,
| that Roman army dared 10 revolt against its
country, and, with the power of the sword, to
substitute, for its free institutions, the arbitrary
will Of dictator. Eighty years before the sue
cessful usurpation of Caesar the revolt of an ar
my could have produced no such consequence.
But the habits of the People had been changed
No longer in every Roman citizen was TO be
found trained and practiscd soldier The
higher tactics were cultivated, indeed, with zeal
and success by martial nobility. No period
had been more prolific of great generals AT
none, had the discipline Of the legions been so
perfect But they Were no longer filed by cit-
Gems taking their routine Of service. The mill
tary had become distinct profession, composed
Of men who in the habits Of war and pillage,
had forgotten the sacred obligations attached to
their character as citizens, and who were ever
a ready, upon the suggestion of their leader, TO
turn their arms against their country as the enc
my whom they Were raised to oppose. :
In searching the landmarks to guide US TO
our object, il will be in vain that we direct our
attention to the modern nations OF Europe From
them we can borrow nothing to aid our purpose
Governments formed npon artificial disfinc-