The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-07
Mr.. VAN BUREN's PROPOSED ARMY.

Having referred TO the proposition OF the
Secretary Of War to raise an army of 100000
men, one-half to be in "actve SERVICE" and
to be in the pay Of the United States, many
persons have been SO much startled by the
allusion, that we have received several re-
quests TO bring the whole proposition to the
particular notice Of our readers.
As intimately connected with the subject
Of National Defences," Of which Mr..
Poinsett treats, the organization Of volun-
teer corps in the immediate vicinity Of the
forts" is urged upon Congress. The Secre-
tary thinks that, to render the United States
Army efficient, and preserve its discipline, it
must be "kept together in masses, and the
garrison duty be performed by small detach-
ments, aided in case of need, by the neigh
boring militia" plan for this purpose was
submitted to Congress in 1897, but not acted
upon, and as it was desired that plan for tho
organization Of the militia Of the United
States, should emanate from the War De-
partment, Mr.. Poinsett submitted the fol-
lowing project, confident that il would en-
sure The prompt and Efficient application Of The
national force TO the naional defence"
1t is as follows:
alt is proposed to divide the United States into
eight military districts, and to organize the militia IN
each district, to havea body OF twelve thousand
FIVE hundred in active servce and another OF equal
number as a reserve This would give an armed militia
force Of two hundred thousand men, drilled and sta
toned to be ready to take their places in the ranks in
defence Of the country whenever called upon TO oppose
the enemy repel the invaded The age OF the recruit
to be from twenty thirty The whole term Of
service be eight years four years in the first class,
and four in the reserve. Oas.fourh part twenty five
thousand men, leave the service every yeai passing
the conclusion Of the rst tern Inothe and
exempted from ordinary militia dIty altogether, at
the end OF the second In this twenty five thou
sand men will be discharged from militia duty every
year. and twenty five thousand fresh recruits be re-
ceved into the service. Il will be sufficient for alb
useful purposes that the remainder of the militia, I'M
der regulations provided for their government DO
enrolled aud be mustered long and stated intervals
for in due process OF time nearly the whole Of the
miltle will pass through the FIRST and second classes,
| and be either members Of the active corps or OF
the reserve, counted among the exempts who will
be liable be called upon only periods OF invasion
or imminent peril The manner OF enrolment, the
number OF days OF service and the rate OF compensa-
ton ought be fixed by law, but the details had better
be left subject regulation, plan Of which pre-
| pared TO submit to you"
This extraordinary proposition should re-
ceive the attention of the American people
it should be looked to by the public press, for
if it is not scheme to establish, to all intents
and purposes, an enormous standing army,
then we confess ourself unable to compre-
bend what is meant by "recruiting," "arming
and paying and "stationng" 100000 men
"to be kept in active service"