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XVI

With regret I have observed of late a disposition to disparage the militia, and discourage individual exertions to promote its dicipline [discipline] and efficiency. The privilege of bearing arms is among the most important of the 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, whose 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 in time of war, and at 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 a 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, whose 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 preserve 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, or continued adherence to that system of discipline, & organization which may be considered best calculated to render the establishment respectible [respectable] and efficient.