What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. Whenever governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins.

		Name: Elbridge Gerry Type: Politician Nationality: American Birth: July 17, 1744 Death: November 23, 1814