A Plan for the General Arrangement of the Militia of the United States.: Page #5

A Plan for the General Arrangement of the Militia of the United States.: Page #5

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[ 5 ] INTRODUCTION THAT a well constituted republic is more favorable to the liberties of society, and that its principles give a higher elevation to the human mind than any other form of government, has generally been acknowledged by the unprejudiced and enlightened part of mankind. But it is at the same time acknowledged, that unless a republic prepares itself by proper arrangements to meet those exigencies to which all States are in a degree liable, that its independence is more precarious than the forms of government, in which the will of one directs the conduct of the whole, for the defence of the nation. A government, whose measures must be the result of multiplied deliberations, is seldom in a situation to produce instantly those exertions which the occasion may demand; therefore it ought to possess such energetic establishments, as should enable it by the vigor of its own citizens, to controul events as they arise, instead of being convulses, or subverted by them. The free constitutions of the United States, having been established on the noble principle of general happiness, every wise effort should be made, to render their existence as durable as the affairs of humanity will admit. By a rare combination of circumstances, the states possess the invaluable opportunity of availing themselves of the general experience of mankind, to effect such important institutions, as may hereafter serve as characteristics of the wisdom and felicity of the present day. A