profess to be the disciples, imitators and followers of him, who laid down his life for his enemies,

NO. 23.

THE MILITIA SYSTEM.

The annual return of trainings, musters and reviews recalls to our mind the often asked, and never answered question-Cui bono? What is the use of this annual expenditure of money, time and morals? When nearly all the world are at peace, and seem at length to have wisdom enough to wish to remain so, what is the use of stirring up a martial, fighting, parading spirit in our youth, already sufficiently inclined to braggadocio and vain glory?

Is it to "repel invasion," when happily there is scarcely a spec of war in the hori zon? This is like the hero of La Mancha, burnishing up his old rusty armour, taking his Rosinante from the plough, and going abroad in search of broken bones, while all is peaceful and quiet about him. It is a truth,

often repeated and universally acknowledg ed, that one fortnight's training would fit our young men infinitely better, for the field of battle, than all they learn at our musters. Besides, it must be remembered, that, in case of foreign aggressions, there would be a stimulus to call our most able and active men into the militia; which would then be well officered: whereas, now, a man, who thinks any thing of himself, will hardly condescend to accept a commission; and a militia title has become rather a stigma than an honor. But in case of actual need of the militia, what shall we do with the present incumbents in office? Those of them who would do for the ranks would be exempt by their commissions, and those who are not would be excused from finding substitutes, and then, to reduce or supercede them would be bad, as it would cause great disaffection, and to keep them would be worse.

A nation, that has the physical force and the "materiel" of war, will soon form a militia much more efficient than we have at present, and avoid all the evils which attend our trainings and musters.

Are the militia to " suppress insurrection and execute the laws ?" We remember how well they did that, in the whiskey insurrection, when the government had to organize a regular army, to oppose the "whiskey boys;" which cost the nation a million of dollars and Mr. Adams his presidency. Laws, which cannot be executed without a military force, ought never to be enacted by a republican government. We remember that the militia was called out by the Governor of Pennsylvania, to resist the government of the United States: We remember the threats of Virginia's "hundred thousand bayonets ;" and Governor Troup's call to the militia of Georgia, to "stand by their arms," to oppose the laws of the general government, is too recent to be forgotten. I might give some instances nearer home, but I wish to avoid all appear ance of personality and party spirit. My countrymen, I tell you this solemn truth, that when you need the bayonet to execute your laws, you are no longer fit to be a republic. The neck that wants a yoke will soon find it. The nation that has not virtue enough to execute its laws by the help of the constable's

staff and the sheriff's wand, but must call in a military force, will soon have a "military chieftain" for its ruler, who will dispense with the forms of election.

When this country is conquered, it will be by itself. If it should ever be reduced to slavery, it will be by some Caesar, or Dionysius, or Alcibiades, or Napoleon, that she has nursed in her own bosom. No nation situated like ours, ever lost its liberty by foreign conquest; but many such nations have lost their liberty by encouraging a military spirit.

When we look on a map of our country, we find it naturally divided into three parts, northern, southern, and western: and these parts are held together by a slender tie. Separation would be our ruin,—the grave of our national prosperity and happiness. "United we stand, divided we fall," is our motto.

Now what is so likely to bring about that disastrous event as a military spirit? Let us look into our own history, and see what have been the dangers we have passed. From the insurrection of Daniel Shays, to the blustering of Gov. Troup, all our dangers ha originated in a military spirit. Shays endeavor

ed to overawe the civil power by the sword, -the Virginians boasted of their hundred thousand bayonets,-the whiskey boys organized an armed opposition to government, and Gov. Troup calls to the Georgians to stand by their arms. So far we have escaped serious evil. But let such another man as Troup be elected President of the United States,let two such characters, so circumstanced, come in opposition,-let the militia be called out to oppose the militia,-let blood once be shed, then farewell peace; farewell union; farewell liberty. Then it will be found, that we have been whetting our knives for the throats of our brethren,-that the military knowledge we have acquired is to be used for the destruction of our fellow citizens,-that the military spirit we have excited, far from being satiated will be only the more inflamed by our country's blood, and like the enraged elephant, will trample in the dust those who have trained it to war. Once let our fellow citizens adopt the opinion, that the sword is to settle questions of right or of government, and excite in them a thirst for military glory, and, on the first occasion, we shall see armed