Litchfield enquirer., 1843-04-20
THE ENQUIRER.
LITCHFIELD, APRIL 20, ls43.

LITCHFIELD. APRIL 20, 1913.
AN EXPENSIVE SYSTEM.-We have read,
with much pleasure, sermon by Rev. John Pierpont
of Boston, before the Ancient and Honorable Artille
ry Company of Massachusetts; in which the injus-
tce, inequality and folly Of the present militia sys-
tenn Of the country is clearly exhibited, and shown
to be inconsistent with the principles of the govern
ment, i'll adapted to the circumstances under which
the country is now placed, and is kept up at an ex-
pense more than commensurate with its advantages.
We should be pleased to copy the entire sermon
into our columns; for its suggestions are as worthy
of consideration in Connecticut as in Massachusetts.
w have room now however for only two extracts,
touching the expense and inequality of the system:
The commonwealth ofMassachusetts,' says Mr..
has more than nifty thousand men on her militia
rolls. Grant these are called out for review, drill,
elections and parade, no more than three days in
year and we have 10000 days devoted to military
duty by those who do that duty. Allow then only
one spectator for one soder-and it must be a very
stupid affair If there not many to see the show
as there are to make t-and there are 10000 days
more. Allow moreover only two thirds much
time tor each individual to prepare for the field, for
fatigue froc, and to recover from its duties. its
debauch, as there is spent upon the field and have
100000 days more. Now, allowing that there is truth
in the remark of a native citizen of Boston, who
money" and allowing one day to be worth one dol
arhe militia of Massachusetts costs half million of
dollars year. l make account here of the mon
ey spent upon arms ammunition, uniforms-the am
muniton that is burned up--the muskes and swords,
and the costly coats of many colors that laid up
treasures that kept, for the moth and rust to
corrupt three hundred and sixty days, that they may
gllsten and look gay for FIVE make no account Of
the moneys, or the morals that are thrown away in
the low revelry of and taverns though of these
things there is fearful account made by the Judge
miltamen at less than third of the value which,
In the form OF fines for non-attendance the law itself
gives it, and the commonwealth of Massachusetts
half million igss Of dollars year for the protec
snow, what is the danger against which protec-
ton Is purchased at this rate e., What is tn
the New-England family rest-ay, sleep even-on
the lap Of Peace? Who are the Philistnes that are
going to be upon him before he can wake up and
shake 81 D his locks at them? Are the Wnebagoes and
argue with us the title to the hunting grounds of the
Pequods and the Narragansetts And are we will
ling to compromise the suit and buy our peace at
half a million of dollars year? Or do we make
good bargain when we pay that price, or any price,
to secure our shores against invasion ~
After showing that the present system, even on the
presumption OF real danger. affords very made.
quate security, and that all the security it does afford
might be derived from it were it so modified that it
should be sustained at ineomparahly less expense,
Mr.. P. adds:
"There is another ground of scepticism as to the
wisdom OF the militia system in its present form and
operations. 1t is not equitable and need not labor
to PROVE that where there is no equity there is no
wisdom. 1t is not equitable for, while it purports
to protect the whole, 1t throws the burden Of all the
protection that it does give upon part of the COM
munity; upon a small part; upon part not the most
aote to pear IT. even 1t 1t were righteous that they
"A late venerable chief magistrate of Massachu-
setts when, in one of his general ORDERS he is mag
nlyng the importance of the militia to the State,
says-lhe militia system was established for the
protection the property of the wealthy" Then,
say, let the 'cealhy pay that protection Do they
pay tor it? Look at the operation of the law. A
wealthy justice of the peace, in the country, hires
halt dozen young men to work upon his farm six
months, from the first of May to the last of October
the whole season for military operations 'Thay are
property of the wealthy" If they 90, their wages,
Tor me ame employed in going, staying and return
g he diligently deduc.s in the day when he reck
I'VE should like to understand, il we may" says
writer in one Of the English Reviews, while com
Sprugue, and our Webster" We should like to nm
dersand' II we may, upon what principle the poor
States Of North America, under The militia law By
the poor we mean those that not rich those who
are neither wealthy nor destitute both these are
about twelve days Of their time to defend
!
not appear in the field: the poor do The latter can
not afford to stay away the former can. The poor
lose' the rich gain, therefore, by submitting to the
penalty. 1t IS moreover VIGOROUSLY true that, while
the rich men never turn out and the poor always do,
the rich seldom or never pay the fine when they
should pay it, and the poor seldom or never escape
The rich are let off: here, because they belong to
this or that profession, either in church or STATE or
because they are doctors, because they are teach
ers Mere, because they are supported by the public
or have carried commission two or three years in
the militia; as such people, whether of this or that
professlon-teachers or not-preachers or not-ofi-
GERS or nohaving property, were to have that pro-
perry defended by those who have no property-in-
surea, we may say, at the charge Of the latter.
put why so unequal tax, under the show of e.
quality II watchmen were wanted for the guard.
anshp OF city, where would be the wisdom, where
the justice, OF calling out every free male citizen of
particular age, for so many nights in the yeaF-ev
cry one rich and poor-under penalty which would
be very sure to keep the latter abroad in all wealth
ers, while the former would be exempted, or excus-
co. or suffered, in some way or other to escape from
| me dufy OF watching their own houses7 What If
me poor man, who does 90 forth, were paid by the
rlch man who does not, for the guardianship Of the
public! or at least 70. watching over the property Of
the men man !--Militia are but watchmen. The
subject OF their charge may be- either a city or a
state now the tax which is paid in the United States
81 North America for that guardianship, is poll tax
should be property tax. What 1.-THE militia were
PAID so much for every days labori"
THUS asks the reviewer: and repeat the ques-
ton-:What if the militia were paid for every days
lahorF ! answer, in the first place, Justice would
then be done TO the militia. which nowsis not and
m me second place. snswer that il they paid,