The New York Packet

MISCELLANY.

Extract from an Essay on the Means of Promoting Federal Sentiments in the United States, by a Foreign Spectator; published in the Independent Gazetteer, at Philadelphia.

Well ordered militia is the noble bulwark of every free country—it has often conquered regular armies; and when a war makes a temporary army necessary, it will easily be formed by veteran troops; and when a war makes a temporary army necessary, those, who are not the dregs of a nation, nor soldiers of fortune; who have something more than mere military honor; who fight for liberty, property, families, for their native land, the idea of which involves all that is dear and sacred to the human heart. It is absolutely necessary to keep up an high military spirit in the American militia, and to render this military spirit, federal. They must, in case of an invasion, often march to the defence of each other; and in times of civil tumults quell antifederal insurrections, not only at home, but in neighbouring States. A military spirit may in part be promoted by mechanical habits, and an high admiration of mere courage; but it is then very dangerous—it will always drink blood; and if it cannot vent its fury on a foreign foe, will create war at home—bull dogs, that have for a long time wanted their prey, become mad; and as the sublime poet relates, he that to make his horses fierce, fed them with slain enemies, was at last devoured by them. That military honor which so generally animates the officers of standing armies, whether they fight for their own country or for allies, is indeed very dazzling—this evening to dance at a ball together, and to-morrow to meet with drawn swords, as happens when parties encamp near each other; or to compliment who shall give the first fire, when at least 100 must be killed or wounded by it, as was the case of the French and English at the battle of Dettingen—this is undoubtedly a mark of high civilized valour. Yet this honor is not sufficient for republics, because it regards war rather as a theatre of glory, than a trial of patriotic virtue, and values a Caesar much more than a Fabius; though the one by the impetuosity of Hannibal; and the other to astonish the world by his talents, became its conqueror, who gained the battle of Fontenoy, though he was idolized by all France, yet languished for want of glory, and died against his will on a bed—such a man will not be a suitable commander in republics. Here the military spirit should be formed on the most sublime and pathetic sentiments of religion, honor, humanity and patriotism. Genuine heroism, doing and suffering every thing in the cause of a distressed country, has such inexpressible grandeur and tenderness, as to animate every heart that can feel, and elevate noble minds to an enthusiasm, that almost wishes for an awful trial. A modern political writer of the first order, whose only fault is being too lofty and martial, regards a war in this light, as only an honorable way of going out of the world. I cannot in this agree with him; but I believe that a noble military spirit as it brings a just war to a speedy and happy issue, will also greatly compensate for its inevitable calamities, by the great sentimental happiness it produces. To patriotic and solemn minds heroic tragedies are the finest entertainments, and extremely useful in republics, with history, epic poetry, and odes of the same spirit. Three thousand years have elapsed since the fatal ruin of Troy. Still Andromache draws tears from crowded audiences: And her distress, her fidelity to the ashes of Hector, and maternal love of Astyanax, does yet form heroes and heroines—while the world remains brave patriots will sigh over Hector, dragged at the wheels of a cruel foe, mangled and steeped in blood, round the walls he had so long defended with a valiant arm; and will hear the sweetest music in those words of Virgil; that represent his ghost weeping over the conflagration of Troy.

In omnes ecce ante oculos maestissimus Hector.
Darsof effundere fletus,
Raptatus bigis, ut quondam, aterque cruento
Pulvere concrotos sanguine crines,
Vulnera qua illa gerens, qua circum plurima muros
Accepit patrios.

In America a select choice of scenes and events of the late war should be made for such compositions; and neither honor nor emolument should be spared for authors of great talents, for they are in such employment both ornaments and supports of their country. The best songs made then should also be collected—it is a shame that the militia should not know them. When polite learning shall become more general, many officers will be capable of eloquent harangues to their corps—we sometimes read very good ones in the gazettes, and those made in Massachusetts have no doubt done much to animate the loyal militia. A military spirit is not sufficiently roused by the manual exercise, and the same smooth manoeuvres on a plain—no, it requires the image of real war. Let them sometimes fire powder on each other; if some grains should stick in a young fellow's face, or the fire should singe his curls, a fine American girl will think him the handsomer—let them seem in earnest with the bayonets; no matter if they tear the waistcoat, and draw a little blood—let the gallant horse swallow the ground with fierceness, smell the battle, ay ha, ha, among the trumpets, and almost rush upon the glittering steel. In most parts of this country, woods, waters, and rugged scenes, give opportunity for a display of art, dexterity, celerity, and strength in a variety of marches, retreats, attack and defence—the occasional damage thereby done to property may be compensated; nor are the accidental bruises to be regarded; even the loss of a life once a year is nothing in comparison to such means of national safety. In these agreeable military plays the scenes of Saratoga, York-Town, Eutaw, Stony-Point, Trenton, &c. &c. might be called up, and often by a proper contrivance, and favor of local situation, be made to resemble the originals. Favorite pieces of military music should be named by favorite exploits and events: The solemn and heroic mournful may all be taken from the catastrophes of Savannah, Charleston, &c. The sad remembrance of national woe, and fidelity in distress is a noble bond of union. The standards should be decorated with federal emblems and inscriptions. The necessity and happiness of a federal union will suggest many, and very expressive—the branches of the sturdy oak, that mock the storm, die when torn from the parent tree—the paws of the dead lion are devoured by vermin.

The militia laws of the continent are very different, and have a various mixed complexion of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. I will not enter on political arrangement, but only observe, that military power cannot like the civil be divided and balanced; that a soldiery, body of officers, and Commander in Chief, corresponding to a House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor, would be a monstrous absurdity, never heard of; that no checks can easily be adopted by the mode of choosing militia officers of the different ranks, and much less by a distribution of the national defence among independent chiefs;—that the militia of any State could act without or against the consent of a federal head, is an antifederal, dangerous idea; because whether they act against foreign enemies, or internal rebels, they fight for the union—who then shall order them to draw or sheathe their swords but the federal power that is the guardian of this union?

* Ut emit ceret virtus—Florus.

Ferguson on civil society.

‡ Aneid 2. v. 270. See also Dryden's translation, though it is unequal to the original.

Job