Rhode Island American And Gazette

From the New-York Daily Advertiser.

Complaints have in some instances been made against the late attempts among the militia, to ridicule the military parades in the manner required by the existing laws. It is said, that although the system is burdensome, useless, and oppressive, it is still dangerous to bring the laws into contempt, because, if it can be done in this case, it may be done in others, and eventually be the means of serious evils to the community.

We do not view the matter in this formidable light. The complaints on the part of the militia have long existed, and have become very extensive. The burden falls heavily upon numerous class of people who are the least able to bear it; and as they are not able to discern any practical advantages, either to the public or themselves, from the operation of the system, it is not strange that they should be discontented under it.

Applications have been repeatedly made to the Legislature for an alteration in the laws, and it appeared at the last session that they were in a fair way of succeeding; but they eventually failed, and the militia believe—on what evidence we do not know—that they are, from session to session, defeated by the influence and exertions of militia officers.

Under this impression, and in this state of things, they have resorted to a principle which is often found efficacious in human affairs, viz. ridicule. They do not refuse to do every thing that the laws require, They have all the equipments which are ordered. But they go farther, and do more than the laws require—they present themselves in a ludicrous light to the public, in order to get rid of a system which seems to have but few advocates, except among those whose importance among their fellow-citizens depends, in some measure, upon its continuance.

We are not able to perceive that any mischief is likely to arise from the adoption of this course by the militia. If the system should be altered and improved—which may easily be done—it will be so much the better. If it should not be altered, the system—with all its burdens and oppression—will remain as it now is.

But it is said other laws may be ridiculed. Of this we have doubts. We know of very few laws of importance that are liable to be attacked in this way. No man who is the subject of laws of a criminal or penal nature, can easily turn them into ridicule. A man who is in a state prison, or penitentiary, or is confined under sentence for some penal offence, has very few materials in his possession, growing out of his circumstances, which will have any tendency to raise a laugh on his side. And there is as little danger in the general laws of the land respecting property, character, or personal security, that will lead to such a result.

The truth is, the militia system is extremely burdensome and odious, and if it cannot be got rid of in any other mode, it is, in our judgment, a fair subject of ridicule.