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362 At the present session of the legislature, the period has arrived in which it is required by the constitution that a new valuation of the taxable property in the State shall be taken, the number of inhabitants ascertained, and a new apportionment of Senators and Representatives established. With regret, I have observed of late a disposition to disparage the militia, and discourage the individual exertions to promote its discipline and efficacy. The privilege of bearing arms is among the most important rights guaranteed to the citizen by the provisions of the federal constitution. This privilege would be useless to the people for protection or self-defence, without an efficient system of combined operation. In a country like ours, where free and republican forms of government are necessarily opposed to large and permanent military establishments, the local militia affords, in the first instance, our only defence and all times constitutes the only armed power, which the State government can command to protect the civil authority, and enforce a due obedience to the laws. Prudence and patriotism would also require us to anticipate and guard against the evils, which have ever proved the ruin of other republics. If it should be the fortune of this nation to be again involved in war, which history and experience shew to be at least probable, victorious armies and successful generals might arise, where power and ambition would require stronger restraints, than written laws and constitutions could afford. In such an event, nothing but a people armed, and so organized, and trained as to feel a confidence in their own strength, could keep in awe unprincipled ambition; and constitute as it were a national guard to protect and serve the liberties of their country. From a full conviction, therefore, of the importance of cherishing our militia, I cannot too strongly recommend the adoption of a continued adherence to that system of discipline and organization, which may be considered best calculated to under the establishment respectable and efficient.

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 At the present session of the legislature, the period has arrived in which it is required by the constitution that a new valuation of the taxable property in the State shall be taken, the number of inhabitants ascertained, and a new apportionment of Senators and Representatives established.
-With regret, I have observed of late a disposition to disparage the  militia, and discourage the individual exertions to promote its discipline and efficacy. The privilege of bearing arms is among the most important rights guaranteed to the citizen by the provisions of the federal constitution. This privilege would be useless to the people for protection or self-defence, without an efficient system of combined operation. In a country like ours, where free and republican forms of government are necessarily opposed to large and permanent military establishments, the local militia affords, in the first instance, our only defence and all times constitutes the only armed power, which the State government can command to protect the civil authority, and enforce a due obedience to the laws. Prudence and patriotism would also require us to anticipate and guard against the evils, which have ever proved the ruin of other republics. If it should be the fortune of this nation to be again involved in war, which history and experience shew to be at least probable , victorious armies and successful generals might arise, where power and ambition would require stronger restraints, than written laws and constitutions could afford. In such an event, nothing but a people armed, and so organized, and trained as to feel a confidence in their own strength, could keep in awe unprincipled ambition; and constitute as it were a national guard to protect and serve the liberties of their country.
+With regret, I have observed of late a disposition to disparage the  militia, and discourage the individual exertions to promote its discipline and efficacy. The privilege of bearing arms is among the most important rights guaranteed to the citizen by the provisions of the federal constitution. This privilege would be useless to the people for protection or self-defence, without an efficient system of combined operation. In a country like ours, where free and republican forms of government are necessarily opposed to large and permanent military establishments, the local militia affords, in the first instance, our only defence and all times constitutes the only armed power, which the State government can command to protect the civil authority, and enforce a due obedience to the laws. Prudence and patriotism would also require us to anticipate and guard against the evils, which have ever proved the ruin of other republics. If it should be the fortune of this nation to be again involved in war, which history and experience shew to be at least probable, victorious armies and successful generals might arise, where power and ambition would require stronger restraints, than written laws and constitutions could afford. In such an event, nothing but a people armed, and so organized, and trained as to feel a confidence in their own strength, could keep in awe unprincipled ambition; and constitute as it were a national guard to protect and serve the liberties of their country.
 From a full conviction, therefore, of the importance of cherishing our militia, I cannot too strongly recommend the adoption of a continued adherence to that system of discipline and organization, which may be considered best calculated to under the establishment respectable and efficient.