The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-14
Military Life In Observation-Disclosures or
the Militia TO the Laws.


the Militia TO the Laws.
The people of foreign countries have hitherto
entertained very erroneous idea of the efficien-
cy and discipline of our military strength, and
the morale of our militia and volunteers. Accus-
toned to standing armies, and the continual ex-
hibton of their tyrannical and rigorous military
codes, they have no idea that men accustomed 10
liberty, in the broadest sense of the term-to act
and speak as they please of their government and
institutons-men who are democrats, born and
nurtured under democracy-can ever be quail
fled to make good soldiers-or submit to the rules
and regulations OF war-stringen, and arbitrary
as they must necessarily always be, in order to Sc
aterns to their superiors
Thus we hear them speak of raw militia, I'M
disciplined mobs, and all that sort fthing, when
they aude to our military strength.
Never were people more wofully deceived.
They forget that there is no analogy between
republic and monarchy-they forget that
standing army Of the magnitude OF those in the
employ of monarchical governments is entirely
inconsistent with the genius Of our people and in
sttutions, and that the latter could not exist in the
atmosphere of n regular standing army, for any
considerable length of time, but would soon sink
under the gradual but certain encroachmcnts
that the military, as history proves, would make
on the civil institutions of the country. The in
telligence of Americans, and the example Of other
countries, teach them this and while they
ready to rush to their country's flag at the first
sound of the drum, forsaking their pursuits and
callings for the purpose-they watch with jea-
lous eye any measure that has the remotest ten
dency to create a standing army.
They have always proved themselves too to be
adequate to any emergency, either to suppress
domestic nsurrecton or defeat foreign foe.
Our citizens aware that when they doff their
civic dress, and assume the habiliments ofwar in
defence of their fresides and the flag of their
country, they have to submit to restraints which
the circumstances that call them forth impose
upon them, and which their own judgment con-
vinces them is necessary to success. Although
our military code is not as severe that Of other
countries, it answers the purpose for which it is
framed, and those who incur its penalties sure
to suffer for it, The result Of this is, that whole
our volunteers and militia make as good soldiers,
and are as well disciplined and far less disposed
to be mutnous than the regular paid soldiers Of
monarchical countries. Examples sometimes
have to be made, and severe punishment inflicted
on those who are incorrgible, but the rest know
that it is necessary for the we'll being OF the ODE
dent and the preservation Of order and disci-
pine.
Recent circumstances have brought out these
noble characteristics of our people in bold relief
"A short time since, Southern volunteer shot a
companion in arms in quarrel The offender
was tried by court MARTIAL found guilty. sentenced,
and shot. A European would hardly believe that
the punishment could be carried out in this case,
and the way it was, without creating a wide
spread dissatisfaction, and perhaps a general
mutiny of the whole company to which the
offender belonged. But nothing of the kind hap
pened. Not a murmur of discomfort occurred,
and the file of soldiers selected to perform the
unpleasant task of shooting their companion did
it under the conviction that it was necessary for
the well being of the service. Another instance
happened in Philadelphia few months since,
when the militia of that city were on parade on
some gala day. heavy shower of rain arose,
which threatened to spoil the nice uniform of one
of the companies. The captain directed them to
retire, but the moment the colonel of the regiment
perceived it. he ordered them back. They de-
clined to obey the order, when the colonel ordered
another company to oppose their leaving the
ground-drew line on the ground with his
sword, and gave them five minutes to retire be-
hind it, or he would direct the other company TO
fire on them. They reflected for moment, and
their good intelligence told them they must obey
their superior officer, and they did as directed;
and peace and harmony were Immediately re-
stored
This respect to regularly constituted authority
the part of our people, is conspicuous in civil
well in military life. We need no soldiers
to guard our banks or courts of justice. The for
mer require no special security at all, and an i'm
beetle old man, with nothing but staff is suffi-
cient for the latter. A rescue is seldom thought
of, and never attempted at the execution of man
who has forfeited his life to the laws of the
try. The awful judgment is inflicted, without
calling in the aid of the military, by the sheriff
and his deputies.
We might pursue the subject in all its ramifca-
tons, and pr owe that long the intelligence of
the people is prevalent and general as it is, in
situations SAFE and our military strength great
er in this, than in any European country.
CANADIAN EXPORTS Shortly after the passage
of the warehouse bill, the point was started whc-
ther that act would enable our Canadian neigh
bors to export their produce to England or other
foreign countries, through the United States, with
the benefit of drawback
1t now turns out that after he warehouse bill
became law, another act was passed by Con-
gress for the express purpose of securing this
privilege to the neighboring British provinces It