American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-23

anu idStlHE udUBeT near the loTl, Wttnln TcacO
of the enemy's shelIs,) and the garrison of the
fort as wholly insufficient for its preserva-
ton. The militia of the city and neighbor.
hood were the chief actors in the scene; and
in the probability that similar state of things
would occur again, may be found the motive
why your memorialsts address your honora-
Bile body upon the subject The improve
ments of modern times, by the application of
steam TO vessels Of war, increase the power
of annoying our coasts by sudden onsets, and
point TO the necessity of preparation for de-
fence by means which can be called into &C
ton with equal promptness.
The plan which we respectfully suggest is,
that each city should contain within itself the
materials of its protection, under the fostering
care OF that government whose admitted du-
ty it is to afford protection as far as its pow
er will admit. Left entirely to the operation
of State laws, the militia of the cities cannot
be expected 10 lie in as thorough state of
preparation as they would wish TO be. With.
out resorting TO other and pregnant consid-
erations to justify this assertion, it is sufficient
to say that they have no means of obtaining
knowledge of the drill and practice of serving
battery and defending fort, and this is the
only species Of knowledge which could be
available.
Speaking of the city of Baltimore, your
memoriasts think they can say with conf
dence that one thousand men can be had in
hafa hours notice, to march into the fort
IN case of an attack, with sufficient knowledge
to work the guns, and prove formidable foe,
il Congress will pass law such as will pres
emily be suggested; and they do not doubt that
every city on the seaboard will respond with
equal zeal to the invitation to protect itself
The cheapness of this mode of defence is en-
nently worthy of the consideration of Con-
gress. This IS the plan.
Let law be passed to authorize the Pre-
sident to accept the services of given num-
Der of volunteers-say 20,000-to be COM
posed of persons residing in or near the cities
upon the seaboard, to come as militia, with
their officers and comm issions, to bind them
selves to serve whenever called out to defend
their fort, for one year from the time of ma
king The pledge; 10 be taken, by two Or three
hundred al time, into the fort to be instruct.
ed in artillery drill and practice; TO serve, du.
ring such tuition, for two or three weeks at
some convenient season of the year, during
which time they are to be subject to the rules
and articles Of war; and TO receive, during
such actual service, the pay and rations of ar
tilleTy, with an allowance for clothing
One of The advantages of this plan is, that
it can easily be enlarged to suit the case,
should any particular city be menaced, In
stead of one thousand, two, three, or four
thousand could be brought under the opera.
ton of the law. Prior TO the attack upon
Baltimore in 1914, the entire body of the mi
lltla in the city were called into the service of
the United States, and the delay which inter.
vened between the disastrous affair at w ash
off RsIi mi
time to these militia to acquire some Slight
discipline. Slight as it was, the city was
saved by its power. But this state of things
will not happen again, in all probability, nor
will wise government commit the honor of
he country TO such slender chance. No
lime will be given for preparation, except
such as we ourselves choose to take by pru- |
lent forecast. The sight of an attacking fleet
will precede but by few hours the sound of
its cannon But if the government will do its
duty in providing forts and cannon and NUM-
lions of war, the citizens Of the place will do |
theirs, provided the government will teach
them how to do it.
1t is proper to explain the condition Of The
volunteer system as it prevails in Baltimore,
and probably in other cities also, because up
on their knowledge of that system all the cal.
cuations of your memorialists are based.
The militia laws of Maryland sanction the |
of volunteer companies of cavalry, |
artillery, infantry, and rifemen, who choose |
heir own officers land equip themselves with !
everything except arms) at their own expense
Having great fondness for military pur-
suits, the members of these associations pro.
vide themselves with uniforms, coors, music
and all other necessary preparations 1t is
an agreeable recreation for them TO spend q
day, or part Of day occasionally, in practis-
Ing military maneuvres; and, when the sys-
tenn is in active operation, some Of these corps
attain such proficiency in discipline as TO be
equal TO any company in the regular army
This is taking a high stand, but your memo
rlalists know it to be true. Formed as these
companies are, upon the principle of volun-
larry association, of course they include none
but those whose inclination prompts them to
join, and from this willingness there results
an aptitude to learn. Upon the basis of the
knowledge which they already possess, there
,an easily be superadded an acquaintance
with artillery drill, without losing their posi-
lion in the militia, or abandoning their pecu-
liar arm Of service, whether infantry or rife
men. Owing TO the circumstance that the
State furnishes nothing but the muskets and
rifles, which it receives from the United
States, the public spirit of these corps becomes
at least too heavily taxed by reason of the
Incidental expenses which fall upon them,
and they dwindle away until some exciting
cause, of public nature, rouses them again
INTO activity. A residence of two or three
weeks in the fort would, as has been already
and confidently stated, enable these troops to
earn no contemplate portion of the artillery
1riIl, and their pay and raions would furnish
An ample fund for the support of military
bands of music, and such other ornamental
acquisitions as add beauty and grace to mill
lary parades. There would still remain
considerable contribution from the private
funds of the members of these companies to
preserve their organization in such state as
% throw a charm around the service; but this