The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-10-17
STANDING ARMY.

SIANDING ANN u.
The rederaisis are incessant in their ialk
about Van Buren's standing army. Whal
is this standing army that is held up to the
people as something terrible and not TO be
counlonancod by republicans
la compliance with resolution ol me
House Of Representatives Of the 9th ol
March, lS4O, the Secretary Of War trans
mtted to that body plan in detail fer the
organization of the Militia Of the United
States; the first section of which provides
for enrolling all free able bodied men be-
tween the ages Of 2l and 45. This enroll
ment is to be called the MASS, which is TO be
divided into companies, regiments, brlgades
and divisions, as at present, with nfemen,
artillery, &C., From this MASS there are
to be drawn by DIR ught, or voluntary offer
of service, such number Of men as will not
exceed 100, 600 in the United States, Penn
sylvana to furnish l0,400 and other States
in proportion between the ages Of 81 and
81, 10 be denomnated the ACTIVE OR MOVE
ABLE FORCE, which is also TO be divided in
10 companies, &C., the officers TO be chosen
IN such manner as the Legislature Of the
respective States shall prescribe. This
force is to be governed by such rules as may
be prescribed, and is 10 serve four years, one
fourth to 60 out every year into the RE
SERVE or SEDENTARY FORCE; thosc going
out the first year to be determined by lot
The Reserve force is 10 serve four years,
after which one fourth leave it annually and
are free from military duty except in time
of war. The deficit in the active force 10
bo supplied annually from the mass.
The United States are to be divided
into ten districts, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey 10 form one, and 10 lurnish l3,200
hen.
The President is 10 have authority TO as
semble tne 0ctjUe force within their respec-
tive districts not more 'han twice in one
year, say ten days for drilling, &c.,
During the time they are going to aud COM
ing from the place appointed for exercise
and drill, Tho men and officers are to be paid
a daily ay,and are to be free from arrest,on
civil suits. lie is 10 have power TO call
forth the actiye and sedantry force, in case
OF invasion or insurreclion, and when they
are not sufficient, TO make draughts from
the mass, When in service Of the United
States, in the time of war, 10 be govern
ed by the rules q articles Of war,which 60
VEIN the regular troops, which is the case at
present. Depols of arms, &c. TO be sstab.
Ilshed at different places.
This plan not to 60 into operation until
adopted by the Legislature of the different
States.
This is the substance OF The plan submit
ted by Mr.. Poinsett 10 Congress; at the re-
quest of the House, without being read to
Mr. Van Buren previous to its being read
to the representatives of the people, and for
which the feGeraists hold the President ac-
csuntabe.
The expense Of the plaa would be about
$500, 900 annually.
1t must be ackno nowledged by men of eve.
ry party that the organization of the militia
as at present is extremely deficient. An
our Presidents have recommended re.or.
gsnizaton or more efficient SYSTEM. The
instruction received by men at their annual
trainings amount to nothing. In MANY
places 1t is considered a farce. The ne
cessIlJ, then, OF plan by which the force
OF our country can be made to bear upon an
enemy at short notice, is apparent. Before
censure should be applied to the Secretary
of War, men should ask if any better plan
has been submitted. The ingenuity Of
General Officers and men of erea. military
experience have been tasked at different
periods, TO furnish system which would
answer the genius Of our institutions. and
NEST the appreciation of the people. Mr..
Polnseit has been at vast trou5ieto carefully
pick out and embody in his plan those
portions of all which his strong mind and
experience suggested as the best adapted 10
our militia. Those who are disposed 10
find fault, should Grst point out less oh.
JectIonable plan.
1t will be observed, that Congress frs,
called on him to submit plan, that he did
so at their request, and that the plan ceuld
not go into force unless adopted bv tLe
different States --RepOrter.
SzsE1zlSEssssys45z.s
MARYLAND.