Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-09

4 - ~ 'e.u ~. oS hStc yuus Will SileW now ma.
4 ny men will be- necessary to fill the presen,
-sOrps; and the return Of the numerical
force OF the present military establishment,
will saew how many are required to CONS
''!etc II - the number proposed The ne ,t
and most important inquiry is, how shalt
these men be raised Crnde. existing Cir
cun~tances. It IL evident that the most
i pro0nt and efficient mode that eau be de.
vised, Consistent with the eqaal right of eve
i ryFcitizen, ought to be adopted. The toll.
loving plans are respectfully submitted to
the consideration of the committee. Being
distinct in their nature, will present each
sercrasely, With the considerations applica-
BILE to Il. ~.
FIRST PLAN.
bet the free male population Of the Uni,
ted States. between Is and IS years, be for
med into classes Of oae hundred men each.
and let each class furnish men for the
war, within thirty days after the clas,iica- .
ton. and replace them in TAG event Of casu-
ally, d.
Fhe classification to be formed with view
| to the equal distribution of property among
the several classes :.
# any class fails to provide the men re,
CURED OF it within the time specified. they
shall be raised by draught on the whole
to furnish substitute.c
The present bounty in land to be allowed
to each recruit, and the present bounty in
money, which is paid TO each recruit by the
United States, to be paid to each draft py
AL the inhabitants within the precinct of
the Glass, within which the draft NAV be
made, equally according the value of the
property which they may respectively nos
sess +: and if such bounty be NOT paid within
days. the same to be levied on all tie
taxable properly of the said inhabitants -
And in ike manner. the bounty whatever il
may be. which shall be employed in raising
arccruit. 20 avoid draft, TO be assessed on
the taxable property of the whole pre-.
cipct.
The recruits to be delivered over TO the
recruiting officer in each district. to be mar.
ched to such places of general rendezvous
as may be designated by the department. of
war. ,sS
That this plan will be efficient, cannot be
doubted. It is evident, that the men CON
remplated may som be raised by it. Three
modes occur. by which it may Be c..rried
into effect. lst. BY placing the execution a
it in the hands Of the county courts through.
out the Unjsed States. Cd. BY reIying ON
the militia officers in each county. Sd. By
appointing particular persons in each coun.
~ for that purpose. 1t is believed that eli.
Their of these modes would be found ade-
quate.
Nor does there appear to be any we'll
founded objection to the r ght in Congress to
adopt this plan, or tn its equality in its apr
pilca,'fa to our fellow citizens individualiy.
Cong rcss have a right by the Constitution.
to raise regular armies, and no restraint Is
imposed in the exercise Of il, except in the
proyisibns which are intended to guard ga /,
morally against the abuse of power. with
none OF which this plan interreres. Its pro.
posed. that II shall! operate Oh all alike. that
| none shpil be exempted from il EXCEPT the
cEict magistrate of the United States, and
the goyerHorsof the several States.
lt would be absurd to suppose that con,
gress could not carry this power into effsc..
otherwise than b. excepting the voluntary
service os individuals. 1t might happen that
an army could not be raised in that mode.
whence the power would have been gran
ted IN vain. The safety ofthe State might
depend on such an army Long continued
.hvasions conducted By regular we'll disois
pllhed troops. can best be repealed by troops
Kept constantly in the field, aud equally we'll
disciplined. Courage in an army is i'm a
great measure mechanical. A small body
well trained, accustomed 10 action. .pallapslv
led on. often breaks three OF four times the
number of moro respectable and more brave
but raw and undisciplined troops. The
sense OF danger is diminished by frequent
exposure TO 1t without harm and conf.
dence, even in the tinid is inspired by a
knowledge that reliance may be- placed on
others, 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 1t should take effect. The francis OF
| the constitution, and the states who ratified
| 1t, knew the advantage which an enemy
might have over us. by regular fc~rss. ard
Intended to place their country on an equal
| footing.
| The ides that the United States cannot
raise regular army in any other forde than
| by accepting the yolu;ltarv service of indj-
| viduals, is believed to be reprgnan, 20 ti,e
uniiorm construction OF all gratis Of power
and equally so tuthe FIRST principles andiea.
| ding objects of the federal COMPACT. An un-
| qualified grant Of power gives the means ne.
| cessary to carry il into effect. This is an
universal maxim which admits Of no excep-
tor. Eqna'lytrueis it that the conservation
| OF the state Is duty paramount to all o.
hers The commonwealth has right tc
the service of all its citizens, or rather the
citizens composing the commonwealth have
q right collective!a and irdividusjly 10 the
! service ct EACH other. to repei any tanget
which may be msnaced. The niannef in
\ which the service IS to be aDD0rtioned a
| mong The citizens, aud rendered by them are
objects of legislation All that is to be
1 dreaded in such case. is the abuse Of pow
| er, and happily our constitution has provi.
4 ded ample security against that evil