The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-23
I'll. SMITH, Register.
UNOFFICIAL.

Contrast the expenditures of the Government under
the present with those of former Administration;
then read the following, and reflect before you
vote !i!!!!!
Of the Secretary of War, and the message OF the Pre-
sdent of the United States fhe subject of the in
crease of the Army of the United States;
SIT is proposed to divide the United States into
eight military districts land TO organize the militia
in each district, so as 10 have body of twelve
thousand five hundred men in active service, and
another of equal number as a reserve. This
would give an armed militia force of Two hundred
thousand men, SO drilled and stationed as TO be
ready to take their places in the ranks in defence
of the country whenever called upon TO oppose
the enemy or repeel the invader The age of the
recruit TO be from 20 to 81; the whole term of
service to be eight years-four years in the first
class, and four in the reserve; oae fourth part,
twenty-five thousand men, TO leave the service
every year, passing, at the conclusion of the first
term, into the reserve, and exempted from ordi-
nary militia duty altogether at the end ofthe sec
ond. In this manner, twenty-five thousand men
will be discharged from militia duty every year,
and twenty-five thousand fresh recruits to be re-
ceiyed into the service. II will be sufficient for
all useful purposes, that the remainder of the mi
lita under certain regulations provided for their
government, be enrolled and be mustered at long
and stated intervals; for, in due process of time,
nearly the whole mass of the militia will pass
through the first and second classes and be either
members of the active corps, OF Of the reserve or
counted among the exempts who will be liable 10
be called upon only in periods of invasion or i'm
minent peril. The manner of enrolment, the
number Of days of service, and the rate of COM
pensation, ought to be fixed by law; but the de-
tails had better be left subject to regulation-a
plan of which / prepared to submit to YOU"
Here is the endorSation of this monStrouS pro-
jecl by Mr.. Van Buren,, in his last annual mes
sage:
ssThe present condition of the defences of our
principal seaports and navy yards, as represented
by the accompanying report of the Secretary OF
War, calls for the early and serious attention Of
Congress and, as connecting itself intimately
with this subject cannot recommend too strong
" to your consideration the plan submitted by
that officer fol- the organization of the militia OF
the United States.'
The following is the 18th section of the plan
of details proposed by the Secretary of War for
the organization of the militia OF the u States
thus recommended by Mr.. Van Buren-by which
the power is 10 be given to the President to as
semble such numbers, at such places, and at such
times, within their respective districts, as he may
deem necessary-not exceeding twice in one
year. The people are required, IL called on, u
perform military duty beyond the limits of theil
own States at the will of the President, there be
ing only eight districts in the Union, and conse
ouently several States in district
We have only TO call your attention 10 the
universal pr ediction made in 1888 at the time o
the removal of the deposites, and reiterated dowl
to the present time, viz: That Uhen The FedeTd
Erecutire obtained unlimited control oUer The PM
Tic purse the ne1t step acould be 10 raise standin
| army.
Here it is in its full proportionsl
The next step towards the downfall of this re
public, under the false garb of democracy, W
leave you to conjecture. In the mean time, 20
are entreated to pause before you strike this La
fatal blow at the liberties Of your country
at. That the President Of the United STATE