THE FOUNDING FATHERS ON THE ROLE OF A MILITIA

 

James Madison, "The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared," 46 Federalist New York Packet, January 29, 1788:

 

"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. And it is not certain that with this aid alone they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to possess the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, that could collect the national will and direct the national force, and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned in spite of the legions which surround it."

 

Alexander Hamilton, "Concerning the Militia," 29 Federalist Daily Advertiser, January 10, 1788:

 

"There is something so far-fetched and so extravagant in the idea of danger to liberty from the militia that one is at a loss whether to treat it with gravity or raillery. Where, in the name of common sense, are our fears to end if we may not trust our sons, our brothers, our neighbors, our fellow citizens? What shadow of danger can there be from men who are daily mingling with the rest of their countrymen and who participate with them in the same feelings, sentiments, habits and interests? What reasonable cause of apprehension can be inferred from a power in the Union to prescribe regulations for the militia, and to command its services when necessary, while the particular states are to have the sole and exclusive appointment of the officers? If it were possible seriously to indulge a jealousy of the militia upon any conceivable establishment under the federal government, the circumstance of the officers being in the appointment of the states ought at once to extinguish it. There can be no doubt that this circumstance will always secure to them a preponderating infiuence over the militia."

 

Richard Henry Lee, Additional Letters from the Federal Farmer, 1788:

 

"Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."

 

Tench Coxe, writing as "the Pennsylvanian" in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 1788:

 

"The power of the sword, say the minority of Pennsylvania, is in the hands of Congress. My friends and countrymen, it is not so, for the powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from 16 to 60. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress has no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."

 

AMAZING, ISN'T IT?

 

"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. On the road to tyranny, we've gone so far that polite political action is about as useless as a miniskirt in a convent"

Claire Wolf, "101 things to do 'til the Revolution"

 

You think you know about these so called militia groups? You probably think they are, as the media portrays them, some kind of gun nuts running around the woods in camouflage carrying assault rifles. You probably can't imagine yourself ever joining one of these groups, right? Well, if you are a resident of the state I live in, Massachusetts, and are a male between the ages of seventeen and forty five, you already ARE a member of the Massachusetts Militia, whether you want to be or not.

Massachusetts State Law reads:

Ch33.S1 - Military forces of the Commonwealth shall include the organized militia and members of the unorganized militia when drafted or accepted as volunteers.

Ch33.S2 - Militia of the Commonwealth shall consist of all able bodied males citizens and all other able bodied males who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, between the ages of seventeen and forty five, and who are residents of the commonwealth.

Ch33.S3 - The Militia shall consist of two classes, namely, the organized militia, composed and organized as provided in this chapter, and the remainder, to be known as the unorganized militia. The unorganized militia shall not be subject to duty except in case of war, actual or threatened, invasion, the prevention of invasion, the suppression of riots, and assisting of civil officers in the execution of the laws.

So, there you have it. The question is, do you take this responsibility seriously? Are you prepared, if necessary, to answer the call of the Massachusetts Militia?

The Media and the government have tried to discredit the Patriot movement as a meaningless exercise by a bunch of right wing extremists. The reason for this is FEAR. The government is afraid of the fact that there is a large group of armed citizens who are quite prepared to go to war with their own Government to defend and RESTORE the Constitution of the United States. So they try to discredit the movement. They try to pass more and more gun control laws to disarm the population.

Sure, just like any group, the Patriot movement has attracted a few nuts. But then, so has the Socialist movement, just look at Ted Kazinski (the Unabomber, remember him? He is a total, radical socialist extremist). You can't judge thousands of people based on the actions of a handful of nuts.

At the core of the Patriot Movement are tens of thousands of regular people. They are people who see the gradual erosion of our Civil Rights. They are fed up with politicians who show contempt for the Constitution. They realize an armed populace is the last line of defense for freedom.

Not every person who supports the Patriot Movement is a Bible thumping right wing extremist. I am neither Christian nor Right wing. Do I consider myself a Patriot? That depends on your definition. Do I believe in the Constitution? Yes. Do I believe that our Constitutional Republic is the best form of government possible? Yes. Am I concerned about abuses of the Constitution, and in turn, my Civil Rights? Yes. Am I prepared to defend the Constitution, with my very flesh and blood if necessary? Yes. By this definition, I am a Patriot. I carry this label proudly

Articles, Essays, Reports

Links

Rongstad's No-Nonsense Militia Related Links

Jeff Head's Liberty Page

American Patriot Network

Patriots for a Constitutional America

Patriot Knowledge Base Home Page

Constitutional Hazard Warning

 

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