.WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1826
43
not necessary. Sir, if the objection rested on this little point of etiquett alone, it lasted too long and was of too serious moment. It may be urged, that the consideration for pride of rank should weith much on this occasion. I am willing to concede the gentle- man all he can justly demand in behalf of military pride. But, Sir, there ~vas no ground furn.ished for the exercise of this price, under the circumstances of the requisition made. Was it ever attempted during the war to separate men from their immediate officers? To detach the captains from their companies? to p!ace these companies subject to the command of a captain in the regu- lar army? Such a measure was never attempted, or even thought of. There was no real or implied infringement on the rights of the militia. The militia of Massachusetts were called out to defend their own frontier. No order has ever come under my view directing them to be marched to the frontier of the United States, or to defend the territory of other States. If Massachusetts was really disposed to co-operate in the defence of the country, why did she not defend her own borders? But it seems from the communica- tion of the Governor of Massachusetts to the Secretary of War, that the Governor of Nova Scotia, actuated, no doubt, by the amiability of his character had interdicted any invasion of the borders of New England. ·was the proclamation of the Governor of Nova Scotia to be regarded, and on order from the Govern- ment of the United States to be disregarded? Had not war been declared against Great Britain, by the constitutional authorities of this country? Was not that declaration a solemn law? Was it not the supreme law of the land? Did it extend to all the states, or only to a few of them? Must a special law be passed, expressly declaring that Massachusetts shall defend the borders? Sir, that declaration of war struck a panic through England, and its dependencies. But Massachusetts was not to be affected by it. That declaration was to be met by the Governor of Massachusetts, declaring that the People were not willing to be drawn from their homes, and to rally on the border before an enemy approached. Could the order be really understood in this way by the Governor? No, Sir. It was only an order that the militia should be detached, and held in requisition. But what is the meaning of the term "detached?" It is that regular detail should be made, constituting a certain body, to fill the quota proper to be furnished by each State, in order that the men may know ·who are, and who are not,
Powered by FlippingBook