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

propef constitutional arrangement upon
The subject. The snppostion that an
equitable rule, which pays a proper res
pset to the interests and condition Of the
different States could fail to receive ul-
timately the constitutional sanction,
would be doing injustice to the intelll-
eence Of the country. BY such a settle
ment 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.,
versiiies Of opinion upon constitutional
points Of deep interest; and, in the mean
time, the resources Of the country wonlu
be best husbanded by being len 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
MIR. Williams, already referred 10. They
we're chiefly applicable to "the improve
ments of our harbors and the removal
ofparlial and temporary Instructions in
our navigabls 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, | still
adhere, and it has been my endeavor to
carry them into full and fair effect in tho
administration of the Government since
IhaVe 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.. Poinsett's scheme for
the organization Of militia"
MY 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
izing, artning, and disciplinng the mill
tia, and for governing them when in the
service Of tho Unted Slales-reserving
to the States tho appointment of officers
and the authority to train the militia, ac.
COrding to the mode of discipline pre-
acfbed 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 organzalio Of the militia Of
the United States. BY this act, It is pro-
vided, first, that every free white citizen
Of the United States, resident therein,
between the ages of fifteen and forty-fye,
(with some enumerated excmplions,) alo
10 be enrolled and divided by the several
States into companies, battalions, regl'
ments, brgades, and divisions, upon prin'
ciples therein established, aud, in like
manner, differed by them, according to
the rules prescribed by Congress for de-
termining their number and respective
rank. 3D. That the militia thus enrolled
shall be armed at their own expense. 3D.
That they shall be disciplined according
TO tho rules approved and established by
Congress, on the 20lh Of March, l770;
and 4lh. That the rules for the Govern
ment Of the militia when called into SER
vice of the United States, (ihe marneI
and occasions of doing which being poin
ted out by law,) shall be the same rule:
and articles Of war, as are provided to
the Government Of the troops Offhe Uni
ted States.
The provisions Of tho act OF 1902
which oliiges every citizen duly enrolle'
10 be "conslanlly provided with arms, &C
coutrements, and ammunition" was re- IN
acted during the administration Of NJ
Jefferson, and 50 much Of that act as es
tabIshed the discipline and regulations q
Baron Steuben was subsequently repeal
ed, and the system of discipline and eS
ercises of The regular army was adopte
BY the militia. These additional proVis
ions, with occasional acts respecting tn
appointment Of the officers by the States
and changing the regulations cOncernn
the pay and subsistence OF tue militia
when in the actual service Of the Unite
States; aud tho preparation aud dislribu
ton OF a system oflaclics, constitute es
cry material part Of the Legislation q
Congress upon the subject Of the Milili
since the establishment Of the Govern
ment.
The organization Of the militia thu
established has been in force nearly fCi,
years. Il varies in many essential par
ticulars from that recommended by Gen
Washington, and has been regarded eve
since It's adoption. as defective in M EN-
ineal degree, as well by the successlv,
Presidents of tho United States, as by al
other persons, whose habits Of life an
opportunities Of personal observation hav
fitted them to form sound opinions upo
the subject. Its improvement was there
fore an oblec, Of uuceasing and anxiou
solicitude on lhO part Of General Wasd
inglon, and almost every successive Pre-.
ident commenced his career with calln
the attention Of Con ress 10 the subicc
and closed il with expressions Of regre
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