The only way to have peace, is to be always ready for war. If the inhabitants of this country should always have virtue and wisdom enough to follow the noble example of their illustrious ancestors in training up every man to the use of arms, and keeping good stores of ammunition, they never need fear the united force of all their enemies.
Reprinted from the New Hampshire Gazette, July 5, 1771
As no nation or people can be secure from their enemies and preserve their independency without the military art, it must give great pleasure to every friend to his country, and the British nation, to see the present revival of military discipline in this and the neighboring colonies. The only way to have peace, is to be always ready for war. If the inhabitants of this country should always have virtue and wisdom enough to follow the noble example of their illustrious ancestors in training up every man to the use of arms, and keeping good stores of ammunition, they never need fear the united force of all their enemies. According to the best computation there are about half a million of men fit to bear arms in these colonies; and the number increasing so fast that it is supposed within twenty or thirty years, British America will be able to raise a million of men fit to march into the field of battle!
If this vast number shoud be properly trained to arms, what nation or nations under the sun would dare enter the list with America, or lift a hand against her potent sons!
As a well disciplined militia is of such vast importance to the welfare of this country, it is the indeispensable duty, and we hope it wil be the constant endeavour of every one to encourage and promite it.
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