e
selected for the point of attack; making us, according to Mr. Adam's
anticipation, the Flanders of the United States. Come from what quarter
it may, the storm will fall upon us. It is known that lately, when there
was apprehension of hostility with France, the scheme was instantly
devised of invading the Southern States and organizing insurrection. In
a popular English periodical work, I have seen the plan suggested by an
officer of high rank and reputation in the British army, of invading the
Southern States at various points and operating by the same means. He is
said to be a gallant officer, and certainly had no conception that he
was devising atrocious crime, as alien to the true spirit of civilized
warfare, as the poisoning of streams and fountains. But the folly of
such schemes is no less evident than their wickedness. Apart from the
consideration of that which experience has most fully proved to be
true--that in general their attachment and fidelity to their masters is
not to be shaken, and that from sympathy with the feelings of those by
whom they are surrounded, and from whom they derive their impressions,
they contract no less terror and aversion toward an invading enemy; it
is manifest that this recourse would be an hundred fold more available
to us than to such an enemy. They are already in our possession, and we
might at will arm and organize them in any number that we might think
proper. The Helots were a regular constituent part of the Spartan
armies. Thoroughly acquainted with their characters, and accustomed to
command them, we might use any strictness of discipline which would be
necessary to render them effective, and from their habits of
subordination already formed, this would be a task of less difficulty.
Though morally most timid, they are by no means wanting in physical
strength of nerve. They are excitable by praise; and directed by those
in whom they have confidence, would rush fearlessly and unquestioning
upon any sort of danger. With white officers and accompanied by a strong
white cavalry, there are no troops in the world from whom there would be
so little reason to apprehend insubordination or mutiny.

This, I admit, might be a dangerous resource, and one not to be resorted
to but in great extremity. But I am supposing the case of our being
driven to extremity. It might be dangerous to disband such an army, and
reduce them with the habits of soldiers, to their former condition of
laborers