American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-04-17

Notice to a close, by substituting for the House
resolutions the one offered by Mr.. Crittenden,
of Kentucky, which merely empowers the Pre-
sident to give the Notice to Great Britain when
he shall deem it proper to do so. The vote
stood, ayes 40, nays Id.
MILITARY Co MPANrgs OF BALTIMORE. We
have been favored with copy of the follow
ing patriotic and interesting letter, addressed
by Major General John Spear Smith to a MEM
Der of the recent Military Convention. We
publish it with pleasure, and believe that it
will be read with the greatest satisfaction
At the present moment, when the critical con-
dition of our foreign relations calls upon every
citizen TO be prepared for any emergency
which may require his aid, this letter is ex-
ceedingy apropos, and carries with tia force
and power which no patriot will disregard.-
However just and proper may have been the
step which was reluctantly taken by the Off
GERS of our volunteer corps in retiring from the
military service, i'll consequence of the manner
in which their application to the Legislature
for all efficient militia law for Baltimore had
been treated, we hope and believe that they
will nO,o yield to the appeal which has been
made to their patriotism, and re-associate
themselves to the corps to which they were
previously attached They will no doubt feel
it TO be incumbent upon them to be prepared,
IN the event of hostties, to render to the
city services of which so high an appreciation
is expressed in the letter Of General Smith
The yindication of their own self-respect and
the dignity of the Convention of which they
were prominent members, will impel them in
time of need, to be prepared faithfully to dis
charge their dutes as citizen soldiers. They
possess too high sense ofpublic duty to shrink
from their performance at time when the
dark and threatening cloud of war hangs over
the country. They will set an example to
other patriotic citizens, IN the defence OF the
rights, laws and honor of the country, should
they be assaied, and they will have their re-
ward in the gratitude of their fellow-citizens.
1t is understood that a committee has been
appointed to take into consideration the impor-
tant subjects 10 which their attention has been
invited in the letter of General Smith, and to
report at future meeting. From what we
understand of the views Of the officers, we
have entire confidence, that, under existing
circumstances, they will DO willing to sacrifice !
their personal feelings to a sense of public ,,
duty.
EXCHANGE PLACE, Goth March, 1916.
My Dear SH:-Not being informed that you |
have yet returned your commissions, in con- ,
forntY with the intention held out in the ad-
dress presented to the citizens of Baltimore, by
you and other officers of the volunteer corps | '
take the liberty of inviting their and your at
tontion to few considerations, which seem to
me worthy your mature dcllberation. If these
considerations should be so fortunate as to re-
ceiye your assent, shall feel the utmost conf
dence, that you will concur with me, in the
propriety of your retaining the commissions
with which you have been honored by the
State.
The bill, digested with so much care, by the
Military Convention, failed to be enacted into
a law, from causes over which we had no con-
troll. The system embraced in its provisions is,
in my humble opinion, better adapted to its
valuable purpose, than any that has come with
III my hnOWICu8c' lDueeu, leGl uluCu COllIl-
dence that, when it should become known,
and reduced to practice, it would be generally
adopted throughout the Union. This con-
fidence is entertained sfrom the important fea-
lures in it; among others, Of securing a tho
rough drill of officers, coupled with careful
selection OF them, whilst it imposed the lghtest
possible burden on the men, compatible with
any useful organization. Looking at the bill
in this Just and favorable light, cannot but
indulge the hope, that u fuller consideration by
the General Assembly, will yet give us the be-
neft of its salutary provisions. This hope,
will, as | trust, inspire you with like conf
dence; and that as citizens and officers. you
will aid at another opportunity, in the effort to
obtain for it the. approval of the legislature of
the State.
You and are fully convinced of the cxcel-
lence of tho proposed system, and Of its neces-
sity, if we are to have an efficient militia, in
stead ola standing army. We conscientiously
believe it to possess all the merit ascribed to
it. 1t is our work, and the least we can do, as
il seems to nae, is TO stand by it, until one more
ATTEMPT is made, for its contamination. Nav
not add, that it is our duty, as citizens?
The aspect of our foreign relations is also
such as to present many inducements, TO every
patriot soldier, to retain position in which he |
may have the satisfaction of rendering to his
country the most effective service, should that
service be required.
These inducements carry with them greater
force, when we reflect on the admr.ble state
of discipline to which the several corps referred
to, have been brought. Their disarmament at
this moment might prove great public loss
These corps once broken up, the chain which
binds them to the military resources of the city
would be severed, and the rallying point they
now afford, be swept from our use With lit
tie or nothing left, Of military array, we would,
on an emergency, have every thing to form