Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-11-17

following plans are respectfully submitted
to the consideration ofthe commitsee. Be
! ing distinct IN their nature, viii presen'
each separsfely, with the consideration
! applicable 10 It
FIRST PLAN.
Let the free male population of the u
States, between 10 and rs years, be form
ed into classes of loo men each, and lei
| each class furnish men for the war, with
| in 80 days after the classification, and re-
| place them in the event of casualty
The classification to be formed wuh q
view to the equal distribution Of proPssiy
| among the several classes
If any clsss fails to provide the men re-
| qeired OF it, within the time specified, they
shall be raised BY draft on the whole class
any person thus drafted being allowed to
| furnish substitute.
The present bounty in lard to be allow
ed to each recruit, and the present bounty
in money, which is paid tie each recruit by
tue United States, to be paid to each draft
by all the Inhabitants within the precinct
of the class, within which the draft may
be made, equally, according to the value
of the property which they may respec-
lively possess and if such bounty be not
paiG within days, the same to be levied
on all the taxable property of the said in
habitants. And in like manner, the boun-
ty, whatever it may be, which may be
employed in raising recruit, to avoid a
draft, TO be assessed on the taxable proper
ty of the whole precinct
fNb 10 ha dalfvornA fQ Tho
recruiting officer in each district, to be
marched to such places of general rendez
sous as may be designated by the depart
ment of war
That this plan will be efficient, scannot
be doubted 1t is evident that the men
contemplated may soon be raised by it
Three modes occur, by which it may be
carried into effect. lst. By placing the ex-
ecution of it in the hands of the county
courts throughout the United States. cd
BY relying on the militia osficers in each
county Sd BY appointing particular per-
SONS in each county for that purpose 1t
is believed that either of these modes
| would be found adequate.
Nor does a.srs 1er~-S TO nn any ~eli
founded objestion 20 the right in Congress
to adopt this plan, or to its equality in its
application TO our fellow citizens individu-
ally. Congress have right, by the con-
stituton, to raise regular armies, and no
restraint is imposed in the exercise of it,
except in the provisions which are intend
ed to guard generally against the abuse
of power, with none of which does this
plan interfere II is proposed, that it
shall operate on all alike, that none shall
be exempted from it except the Chief ma
gistrate OF the United States, and the GO
vernors of the several states.
II would be absurd to suppose that Con-
gress could not carry this power into ef-
feet, otherwise than by accepting the vol
untary service of individuals 1t might
happen that an army could not be raised
in that mode, whence the power would
have been granted in vain. The safety of
the state might depend on such an army.
Long continued invasions cnducted by re-
gular well decplined troops can best be
repelled by troops kept constantly In the
field, and equally well disciplined. Cou-
rage in an army is in great measure
mechanical A small body well trained,
accustomed to action, CALAMITY led on, OF
ten breaks three or four times the number
of more respectable and more brave, bat
raw and undisciplined troops. The sense
OF Danger is diminished by frequent expo
sue TO it without harm; and confidence,
even in the timid, is inspired by a know
ledge that reliance may be placed on O.
theirs, which can grow up only by service
together. The grant TO Congress to raise
armies was made with a knowledge of all
these circumstances, and with the intention
that it should take effect The trainers of
the constitution, and the states who ratifi-
ed it, knew the advantage which an ene-
my might have over as, by regular for
ces, and intended to place their country on
an equal footing.
The idea that the United States cannot
raise a regular army in any other mode
than by accepting the voluntary service Of
individuals, is believed to be repugnant to
the uniform construction Of all grants of
power, and equally 50 to the first princi-