The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-07-09

4
THE. STANDING ARMY. HI
i sEhE U Senator Committee on tile
Militia, in their recent report On Mr. Pom
lsctt's plan for Organizing he. militia, have
thought proper to set aside lie. farther con
sideration 81 the project: III the Globe:of
Saturday we find an article. The design Of
which is to show that although the SEN
! ate wisely inclines 10 leave the matter
free from further legislation on: the part. Of
Congress, yet that Mt Poinse,t,s 81. mis-
the least Objectionable Of any system Of
organization proposed since the founda-
ton Of the government. We have hith.
erto said nothing on the subject OF this
projected organization--and our reason
was that we believed the measure carried
its own condemnation on the very face Of
il. As the proposal, although rejected,
still must stand as an Indication Of what
the party in power sOossld do, it may not
be too late now to turn briefly to the SUBJ
ject. Isl I.
Let us see what are the prominent fea-
lures Of this bill, The authors OF ii shall
speak in their own words. In the report
of the Secretary Of w ar. made at the com.
,mencement of the present session of Con-
gress, the plan is first .ske,ched out--a
plan which the President declared s he
could not commend too highly. The Sec
rotary says 81 s.5.ss. ,. So.
'.It lis proposed to divide the United
States into s Military Districts and to or
ganize the Militia in each District, SO as
70 have body.of $4,000 men in, each
District. in actiue service, and another Of
equal number as reserve. $685..
"This would givean armed militia force
of 200, 900 men, so drilled and stationed as
to be ready to take their places in the
ranks in defence Of their country, when
ever called upon to oppose the enemy or
repel the invader. The age Of the recruit
to be from 90 to 81; the whole term Of
service to be 8 years years in the first
class and 4 in the. reserve. One fourth
part, $4,000 men, to leave service, every
year. passing at the conclusion of the, first
term into the reserve, and exempted from
ordinary militia duty altogether at the end
Of the second. nthis manner 25, 900 men
will be discharged from ordinary militia
duty every year. and $4,000 fresh re-
.cruits be received into the service
Upon the outlines Of the plan thus sug-,
gested by the Secretary, the bill including
all details and particulars was Subsequent
tly drafted. One section Of this bill pro-
vides- ss 80
.sThat every man on the militia roll
above the age Of 81 and under Is, shall
provide himself, at his ownexpense, with
a good musket. bore of capacity to re-
ceiye lead ball Of Is in the pound;a suf-
fcient bayonet and belt; two spare flints;
a knapsack; casridge box to contain at least
"a cartridges suited to the bore of his mus
ket, and each. cartridge to contain a ball
and three buck shot, and sufficient guam
ii,y Of powder; or with good rifle. KNAPP
sack, shot pouch and powder horn or
flask, with sufficient powder and ball for
"a charges, and two spare fints, and that
he shall appear so armed, accoutred and
provided, when called out for exercise or
into service. And every citizen so enroll
ed and providing himself with the arms,
ammunition and accoutrements required
as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempt
ed from all debts, distresses OF executions
or sale for debts or for payment for tax
es."
So much for the organization, upon
which we need not dwell farther at pres
ent. Two hundred thousand men are
thus enlisted--one hundred thousand in
active serUice--the other portion consti.
tuting reserve. At whose disposal are
these forces to be placed! Who is to d.
rect their movements? Upon what occa-
sions may they be ordered to march! and
swhither! A special section of the bill pro-
vides for all these matters; it enacts-
u ..17. That the President of the United
States be authorized to call forth and as
semble such numbers Of the active force
Of the militia at such places in their re-
spective districts, at such times, not ex-
ceeding twice nor days in the year, as
he may deem necessary; and during such
period, including the time when going to
and returning from the place of rendez-
vous, they shall be deemed in the service
of the United States, and be subject to
such resolutions as the President may
think proper 10 adopt for MISREPRESENTATION,
discipline and Improvement, in military
knowledge"!!!
I The Constitution declares that the Pre-
sident shall be authorized to call out the
militia only when there is occasion for
their aid to execute the laws, to suppress
instructions, and to repel invasions.
This new Army Billempowers the Pres
sident to call them out twice a year for a
period not designated, whether any Of the
above named exigences exist or not-they
may be marched away to a remote part Of
the district they will be deemed, during
such time, to be in the service Of the
I United States, and "subject to suchregu-
lations as the President may think pro-
4 r,ne.rrfs, FL The District nf which MARYLAND