I expect we shall be told, that the Militia of the country…
“I expect we shall be told, that the Militia of the country is its natural bulwark, and would be at all times equal to the national defence...The facts, which from our own experience forbid a reliance of this kind, are too recent to permit us to be the dupes of such a suggestion.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A standing militia should be reliable, but recent experience shows it may not be.
In simple terms: Militia may not be dependable.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about defense.
Themes
defense
militia
reliability
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- national security planning
- policy debates
- military reforms
Key Concepts
political theory
security policy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a citizen army viable now?
- What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may differ today.