Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-27

pFoptr constitutional arrangement upon
tha sebiect The suppOsition that an
equitable yule, which pays a proper res
psct to the interests and condition OF the
different States could fail to receive ul-
timataly the constitutional sanction,
would be doing injustice TO the intelIi-
Goaes Of the country. By such settle
1nent Of the question, our political sys-
TEN; in addition to the other advantages
derived from it, would, in relation to this
subject at least, be relieved from those
dangerous shocks which spring from d.
versities Of opinion upon constitutional
points Of deep interest; and, in the mean
time, the resources of the country would
be best husbanded by being left in the
hands of those by whose labor they are
produced"
To this exposition ofmy opinions up
on the general subject, were added some
additional observations, in my letter to
Mr. Williams, already referred to. They
were chiefly applicable to "the improve.
ments of our harbors and the removal
ofpartial aad temporary distractions in
our navigable rivers, for the facility OF
our foreign commerce." and the best
means of checking the tendency to abu-
ses which such appropriations often pro-
duced. To the principles laid down in
the two publications referred to, l still
adhere, and it has been my endeavoE to
carry them into full and fair effect in the
administration ofth Government since
have been at its head. If they have
been departed from, in respect to any
works commenced under my administra-
ton, am not advised oft.
IN conclusion, you ask me, "whether
approve Of Mr.. Poinseu's scheme for
the Organization Of militiag"
BY knowledge Of military affairs is ve-
" limited; but | will nevertheless give
You such views as ! have been able to
take Of the subject OfyOur inquiry.
The Constitution Of the United States
authorizes Congress to provide for organ
izipg, arming, and disciplining the mill
tia, and for governing them when in the
service Of the United States--reserying
to the States tho appointment Of officers
and the authority to train the militia, ac-
cording to the mode of discipline pre-
acribed by Congress. = In execution of
this grant Of power, Congress, during the
administration Of General Washington,
and upon his recommendation, passed a
law for the organization Of the militia of
the United States. BY this act, it Is pro-
vided, first, that evory free white citizen
of the United States, resident therein,
between the ages of fifteen and forty-fve,
with some enumerated exemptiOns,) ate
10 be enrolled and divided by the several
States into companies, battullons, regi-
nents, brgades,and divisions, upon prin-
ciples therein established, aud, in like
manner, ofIicered by them, according to
the rules prescribed by Congress for do
termining their number and respective
rank. Cd. That the militia thus enrolled
shall be AIMED at theiro own expense. 3D..
That they shall be disciplined according
TO the rules approved and established by
Congress, on the 29th Of March, l770;
and 4th. That the rules for the Govern
ment of the militia when called into SER
vice Of the United States, (the manner
and occasions of doing which being poin-
ted out by law,) shall be the same rules
and articles Of war, as are provided for
the Government of the troops of the Uni
ted States.
The provisions of the act Of 1872,
which obliges every citizen duly enrolled
to be "constantly provided with arms, ac-
coutrements,a and ammunition" was re-an-
acted during the administration Of Mr.
Jefferson, and so much of that act as es-
tablished the discipline and regulations oI
Baron Steuhen was subsequently repeal
ed, and the system Of discipline and ex-
ercises Of the regular army was adopted
by tho militia. These additional provis-
ions, with occasional acts respecting the
appointment Of the officers blythe States
and changing tho regulations concerning
the nay and subsistence Of tho militia
when in the actual service Of the United
States; aud the preparation aud distribu.
ton of system oftaCtics, constitute ev.
cry material part of tho legislation oI
Congress upon the subject Of the Militia
since tho establishment Of the Govern.
ment.
The organization Of tho militia thus
established has been in force nearly fifty
years. II varies in many essential par.
ticulaFs from that recommended by Gen
Washington, and has been regarded ever
since its adoption, as defective in an EN-.
inent degree, as we'll by the successive
Presidents Of tho United States, as by al
other persons, whose habits Of life ant
opportunities Of personal observation have
fttod them to form sound opinions upol
the subject. Its Improvement was there
fore an object Of unceasng and anx'ou
solicitude on the part Of General Wash
ington. and almost every successive Pres
ident commenced his career with callini
the attention Of Congress TO the subject
and closed il with expressions Of Tegre
shat these recommendations had proveI