Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

COMMUNICATION.

Being in Congress Hall a few days ago where a bill for organizing the Militia of the district of Columbia was read, I was induced to ask one of the Members what Committee, appointed by a republican House of Representatives could report such a bill; and was not a little surprised when I was informed that it was the production of a certain War Secretary and some of the officers of the District. This bill imposes duties rarely to be found in the general orders of a regular standing Army--And on whom is it to operate? I presume seldom on the officers,--because they form the board who are to assess the fines, and there will be few if any instances of their imposing fines on themselves; then it is to operate indiscriminately on all classes of people in the District, between the ages of 14 and 45, for there is no exemption in the law; they are to be assembled nine times in the year, and a fine of five dollars imposed for non-attendance, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon of each day: this sum we may readily conclude will be imposed on all except a few favorites, altho' it may be less; the Militia are also to provide themselves with a cloth uniform at their own expense, or pay five dollars every muster they appear without it; after three months notice, which fines will amount to 90 dollars per annum, upon men who probably hire themselves for 50 dols. a year; and those who have five or more apprentices may be compelled to pay 450 dollars although they may have sent their apprentices to muster, and they choose to idle their time away and neglect to attend, for there is no exception in favor of the master. The officers have a right to prescribe themselves limits for mustering and to confine a man who should accidentally encroach, and also to be liable to a fine of 10 dollars: they have a right to order a man coming in view to go into the ranks, and to fine him 10 dollars for refusal, and they may, if they choose make a square in town one of the limits, and the street their parade ground. In short, I might mention parts of this truly anti-republican bill which would astonish men accustomed to respect the peace and order of society--and what end is this system of persecution to accomplish? Is it to enable the people to protect themselves? No, they want no such protection! Or is it to oblige them to bow passive obedience to officers put over them, in which their wishes were not consulted. I will say nothing as to the people of Washington, I believe they are well officered and they are contented: but if the object is to get people in this county to muster they wanted no such law. for to the credit of the militia of Alexandria County, be it spoken that no town in the U. States, of its size has furnished, heretofore, a better militia, and that of men in complete uniform; and, when an occasion required it, we found the town of Alexandria produced double its proportion of men in complete uniform, who voluntarily offered their services, and performed their tour of duty--I allude to the year 1794: And all those things were accomplished with ease, when the fine for neglect of militia duty was only 75 cents, and six musters a year, making an annual fine of 4 dols. 50 cents, instead of 45 or 90 dols. And how was this done? I will say it was done by paying some respect to the people in the choice of their officers, and by raising volunteer companies. This is the only--and rational mode of making a militia; it is by inducing the young and more active part of the community voluntarily to enroll themselves, and to muster by voluntary association oftener than the law prescribes; and it is in this way only, that men will acquire a knowledge of discipline by exercising emulation. We have also a class of citizens among us, whom I consider as of the first worth to society, both as it respects their manners and habits, who are religiously scrupulous of bearing arms, and if they were to shoulder a musket, I suppose they would not put on an uniform coat: and what is to become of them? Are they to be subject to a tax of 45 or 90 dols. per year, (the rent of a house) or leave the town, in order that other persons may be made musters; or is it to gratify the thirst of a man enveloped in a cloud of passion, because some men will not muster under him? A man who but a few years ago, complained of the excessive fine of 25 cents, because he never appeared at any muster whatever; who then appeared as an advocate for delinquents, and a champion of liberty and the rights of the people; zealous to protect them from the enormous sum of 25 cents, and proclaiming that he therefore frowned terrible indignation indeed on the law that imposed it, as well those who administered it: but the same person has now laid aside those tender feelings, which then roused him, because he has now a commission; then he had none; and it is probable never would have had: but the old proverb may here be of use to us--put power into the hands of your friend, and if he don't abuse it, you may then trust him. It is not unknown that some of our citizens have attended Congress for 12 or 14 days at a time, for some weeks past, and if they had not a seat in the House it is extremely probable they had at the board where this bill was formed: so that, by comparing notes, we shall be able to ascertain to whom we are indebted for it--but it is yet to be hoped that Congress cannot, nay, will not, pass it, or any other of its kidney.