Militias played a vital role in the founding of our country.
In fact they date from the earliest days. During New Jersey's colonial period
males from sixteen to sixty were required to possess arms and to drill two days a year.
During the Revolution the whole body of the people -- farmers, mechanics, merchants,
tradesmen and Molly Pitcher - picked up their muskets and fought against tyranny.
Historian Leonard Lundin acknowledges the militia's role in the American victory at the
crucial battle of Trenton during the darkest days of the struggle: "Among the many factors
which entered into Washington's victory of December 26 [1776] not the least important was
the constant harrying tactics of the militia and irregulars, which succeeded in
unnerving [Hessian commander] Rall's soldiers." Many Revolutionary war and War of
1812 battles were fought by the militia alone, the battle of New Orleans being one.
The Militia is so important to the preservation of our freedom that the people agreed
to ratify the Constitution only on condition that it be amended to include the right to
keep and bear arms, among other rights.
The present day Militia finds it necessary to engage itself in education for the
reasons mentioned above. Great numbers of Americans do not yet realize that their power
has been usurped by a renegade government. The usurpation has been so insidious over the
past few generations that the state of freedom that made America the greatest nation on
earth is but a dim memory. People seem to believe that if they are permitted to keep
most of their earnings, or are granted a license to drive upon the roads, or do business,
or get a permit to demonstrate peacefully, they are free. But direct taxation of
individuals and the requirement to get permission to engage in lawful activity is NOT
the original brand of American freedom!