No state has an inherent right to survive through conscript troops and in the long run no state ever has. Roman matrons used to say to their sons: “Come back with your shield, or on it.” Later on, this custom declined. So did Rome.
Draft Quotes
In the beginning of our government we were willing to introduce the least coercion possible on the will of the citizen. Hence a system of military duty was established too indulgent to his indolence. This (War of 1812) is the first opportunity we have had of trying it, and it has completely failed; an issue […]
