Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-12-13
From the Patsburg Dispatch
Shall we support Standing Army or a
Malta Organization.
WRITTEN by GEN. J. $. NEehEY.

There is no subject OF greater rational I'M
portauce and better entitled to our respect
and unwearred watchfulness, than the mil
itary defences of our country. 1t should be
spoken cf in the lessons Of youth, and not be
forgotten in the counsels of the aged. If our
land did not TEEN with the prodgal gifts of
Providence if we had no liberties or free in
stitutons to defend-no Enjoyment of reli-
gious opinicns-a free press and free express
sion of thought-no debt Of gratitude to pay
no children's happiness 10 perpetuate-
then, and only then, might we look with in
difference upon the provisions of safety. But
quiet reflection startles us with the value Of
our interests at stake, and the little regard
devoted to their defence Millions are squan-
dered in use less expenditure The burdens of
our Government are annually increased by
fresh territory-the Indians are driven to the
shores of the Pacific for their hunting grounds
the claims of Europe are looked upon vi h
envy-the Executive arm stretches forth 20
grasp the jewels of Spain-commerce has
been forced upon China and Japan, and our
internal progress travels upon the wings OF
lightning and steam; yet our government
seems to be heedles of the necessities of war,
and overlooks the increasing dangers of in
suit from abroad, and the liability Of civil
commotion at home. Occasionally a shadow
of war fits across our horizon. Should it
burst lrto storm, where are our preDara-
tlons fer a vigorous defence 1t lis true We
have ships of war rotting in port, and mas
sive cannon rustiug by the road side s-a
large number of useless muskets- State ar
senals without arms "a broken down ma
litia. and system of tacti cs suited to march
ing along the streets, and Standing army
of some $4,000 men, scattered along our
frontiers and il government arsenals; but
hoy are we to meet the shock cf the grand
armies of Europe, should they take up the
challenges flung ct them almost every day :?
Truth will answer, nowhere but in the pa
triotic citizen soldier, the hardy son of toll,
F who breath the fresh air of sunrise-he W no
is the first to hear the call of danger, and of-
fer his life sacrifice upon the alter of his
country-in in whose bosom ever burns bright
the spirit of enthusiastic devotion even in
spite Of the neglect of his government. But
is this all that is necessary? No. If we
would avail ourselves of this powerful ele-
; ment, in which our independence was crea-
, ted. We must encourage the citizen soldier,
provide him with suitable arms discipline
| him in tne art of war that teaches endurance
Of fatigue, activity of motion. accuracy Of
aim, reliance upon himself in battle, the
ability to fud defence in every tree and
stone, and last, moi least, reward his skill
with respect aud q remuneration for his sac.
rlices. Follow this humble advice. and you
will have resistless army at your fire sides
can already imagine the objections iha
will be raised against these suggestions =
The thoughtless will call preparations Tor wal
in peace a waste OF time and money temp
ta:ion to immortality, a dangerous policy, and
an idle ambition. The egotistical will as
sert, that because we achieved our inderen-
dence we can conquer the world Those who
are awed by religious views will depict the
horrors of war, and bid the sword te turned
into plow share, while others ill advocate
a stan ding army. Each Of these objections
may have plausible argument, but where
are their teachings when we listen to the les
sons of the past, or turn over the pages o
every nations history? would say TO those
who would stamp the volunteer system witt
infamy, to come with me to the New EGG
land graveyards, and let thick coming fan
cies crowd upon the mind and bring forth ir
shadowy conoiaVe the long procession o
martyrs, who taught the world the meaning
no pisty in the labors of tha Quinceys, Han
tocks, Adams and Warrens, and whether
they did not shed blood as pure as ever flow
ed, with contempt of peiil, fer the sake o
conscience and principle? Was it ambition
that kept the hearts of Washington's mer
warm while blood trckled from their frozer
feet? Was it ambition that filed the gal
liant souls that fell in undistinguished rank,
from Lexington to Concord? Was it ambi-
ton that moved the siGews of the youth wht
made forced marches through Mexico, will
; the bright beams of tropical sun dancing
on their bayonets, parchng their throats fol
water, and drying up their blood with fever
If it was ambition, cruel has been the re-
ward. Those who live, inherit the hardships
and privations of camp,lifo. Thousands
found shallow resting g-place. far, far from
the homes of kindred, while the bones of {
few were gathered up by comrades, wh'
knew their virtue and heroism, and brough
them homo to slumber in unmarked graves
beneath the shadow of tall monuments tha
record the titles of those who died in the lal
of luxury 10 those who imagine that oul
, nations destiny is peace, or that we would
be able to cope with the nations schooed IL
war, without moments warning, would
say. how limited is the view of our dangers
both at home and abroad. How futile te
, suppose that our emblems Of peace will al
ways be respected by the military nations o.
Europe and bow weak the Judgment In say