The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1856-11-15

formed out of the wreck of the general confed-
eracy, would be subject to those vicissitudes of
peace or war, of friendship and enmity with each
other, which have fallen to the lot of all other
nations not united under one government, let us
enter into concise detail of some of the con-
sequences that would attend such situation.
War between the States, in the first periods Of
their separate existence. would be accompanied
with much greater distresses than it commonly
is in those countries where regular military es-
Establishments have long obtained The discip-
lined armies always kept on foot on the CONT
nent of Europe, though they bear malignant
aspect to liberty and economy, have, notwith-
standing, been productive of the singular ad-
vantage of rendering sudden conquests imprac-
tibie, and of preventing that rapid dissolution
which used to mark the progress of war prior to
heir introduction.
The art of fertilization has contributed to the
same ends. The nations of Europe are encir-
cled with chains of fortified places, which mutu-
ally obstruct Invasion. Campaigns are wasted
in reducing two or three fortified garrisons, to
gain admittance into an enemy s country Sim
liar impediments occur at every step, to ex-
haust the strength and delay the progress of an
invader.
Formerly, an invading army would penetrate
into the heart of a neighboring country almost
as soon as intelligence of its approach would be
received; but now, comparatively small force
of disciplined troops, acting on the defensive.
with the aid of posts, is able to impede, and f.
nally to Illustrate, the purposes of one much
more considerable. The history of war in that
quarter of the globe, is no longer history of
nations subdued and Empires overturned but
of towns taken, and retaken, of battles that de-
eide nothing, of retreats more beneficial than
victorious, of much and little acquisition.
In this country the scene would be altogether
reversed. The jealousy of military establish
ments would postpone them as long as possible.
The want of Notifications, leaveing the frontier
of one State open to another, would facilitate
inroads. The populous States would with little
difficulty overrun their less populous neig hbors.
Conquests would be as easy to be made as diff
cult to be retained. War, therefore, would be
desultory. Plumber and devastation ever march
in the train Of irregulars. The calamit es of
individuals would ever make the principal fig
ure in events, and would characterize our ex-
PLOTS
This picture is not too highly wrought;
though, confess, it would not long remain
just one. Safety from external danger is the
Even the ardent love of liberty will after time
give way to its dictates. The violent destruc-
ton of life and property incident to war. the
continual effort and alarm attendant on state
continual danger i'll compel nations the most
attached to liberty to resort for repose and Sc.
curity to intitutions which have tendency to
destroy their civil and political rights. To be
more safe, they would, at length, become will
ling to run the risk of being less free.
The institutions chiefly allunded to are stand
ing armies and the corresponding appendages
it is said, are not provided against in the new
and it is thence inferred that they
would exist under it. This inference, from the
very form of the proposition, is at best profile
NAUTICAL and uncertain. But standing armies,
it may be replied, must inevitably result from a
dissolution of the confedcracy. Frequent war
and constant apprehension, which require.
state of as constant preparation, will infallibly
produce them.
The weaker States or confederacies would
first have recourse to them, to put themselves
on an equality with their more potent ncighbors
They would endeavor to supply the inferority
ofpopulation and resources by a more regular
and effective system of defence, by disciplined
troops, and by Notifications. They would, at
the same time, be obliged to strengthen the ex-
ecutive arm Of government; in doing which
their constitutions would require progressive
direction towards monarchy. 1t is the nature of
war to increase the executive, at the expense of
the legislative authority.
The expedients which have been mentioned
would soon give the State or confederaces that
made use of them superiority over their neigh
bors Small States, or States of less natural
strength, under vigorous governments. and with
the assistance OF disciplined armies, have often
triumphed over large States or States of great
er natural strength, which have been destitute
of these advantages.
Neither the pride nor the safety of the impor-
tant States or confederacies would permit them
long to submit to this notifying and adventi-
ticus superiority. They would quickly resort
to means similar to those by which it had been
effected, to reinstate themselves in thier lost
Thus we should, in little time,