The militia of America have, by the public accounts, distinguished themselves on various occacasions during the present war, but most especially by running away. Heretofore it was a popular theory with those who wrote against standing armies, that a militia was the best bulwark in case of an invasion. It was erroneously supposed that men would defend their property, their wives and children, and their “sacred homes,” with spirit, firmness, and vigour, whenever they were attacked. But experience has destroyed this, among many other popular and plausible theories; and it is now demonstrated, that the experiment is dangerous and destructive. It is found, even in America, where the mass of the people have more to defend than in any other country, that the militia, with the exception of those perhaps of Virginia, labour under a most extraordinary disinclination to defend even their own property; and, like the honest carter who, instead of helping himself, called upon Hercules, do nothing but clamour for the assistance of the general government, and grumble because it does not send a body of troops to every exposed point, on a frontier of more than fifteen hundred miles. Nay, such is the singular species of patriotism prevailing in America, that a distinguished member of Congress, did seriously utter the most extravagant praises of the people of Connecticut, because some of the militia turned out when they were ordered, to defend their own fire-sides!
