Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-05-19

military knowledge and experience
they have acquired during their period
of service. ! have prepared the plan,
the details of which are herewith sub
mitted, agreeably to the resolution Of
the House. 1t is believed that on ex-
them, it will be apparent that
the scheme is not liable TO any one Of
the objections that are urged against
large standing armies; but on the con-
trary, that it will form select body of
well disciplined militia, ready them
selves TO defend their country in the
hour of danger, against any sudden at
tack, and furnishing corps, around
which the less-instructed mass may
rally; possessing in some degree, the
military knowledge and skill of regular
soldiers, they would be able alike to
protect their country from foreign
foe, and to guard its Liberties from any
danger that may threaten them.
1t appears to me that the organiza-
ton now proposed viii prevent the ne
cessity of maintaining large standing
armies, even in time Of war. The mil
tia, properly drilled and instructed,
will thereby be rendered perfectly eff
cient, and capable of defending the
forts along our maratime frontier, which
in the absence of such an organization
will require an army of fifty thousand
men. At present, the militia, cannot
be rendered Immediately available a
gainst surprise; whereas under the
proposed organization, they would re-
pair to their stations at the first alarm,
and would be efficient soldiers when
there. In case of war, those stations
would become permanent, and the ar
engagements might easily be made so
as TO render the service as little burd-
ensome as possible to the artisan and
mechanic.
Every precaution has been taken to
avoid all interference with the rights
of the States, or to lessen their means
of defence. The militia will be called
out in the manner at present provided
for by law, and no change is contem-
plated in the mode Of differing the
several corps of which the active class
will be composed.
1t will not abstracta single man from
the def .ce of the State where he re-
sides. Lar separate him from the class
of cIIIzoa-zs'o which he belongs. 1t will
on the contrary, strengthen the defen-
ces of each State, by furnishing it with
well-organized and well disciplined
force, taken from the People, and ma
king part of the People equally inter-
ested with their fellow citizens in the
preservation of free institutions, and
ready at all times to guard the territory
and the liberty of their country. Nei.
Their, does it interfere in any manner,
with the constitutional rights of the
States to train their own militia accor-
ding TO the discipline prescribed by
Congress, because the active militia viii
be employed by the President during
the period they are preparing for. war
like service in garrison and in the field
And while the states have all the. adj
vantages which may result from vel
organized and disciplined militia, they
will, at the same time, be exempt FROM
the losses, expenses, and evils which
follow, necessarily, from the assemb-
lage of large multitudes for merely /;
nominal military instruction. It is tt
be considered, also, that a portion o
the militia are provided with opportu
mites for the attainment of the essen
tials of military knowledge; and, at tn,
same time that they relieve the remain
der from an onerous and useless bur
den, they themselves will not be op
pressed by an undue amount of mill
tary service being required of them
but, on the contrary, by comparin
the time which, under the present sys
tenn, is devoted to that object, it vii
be found that there is but very littl
additional service, if any, required, an,
for that time they will be sufficient
compensated. The compensation con
templated is adequate under goo
administration of the laws proposed
which are to be made uniform in thei
: application, by regulations to be issue
by the President, so as to prevent an
expense to the citizen who is thus cal
ed out; though it may not RISE. in q
mount, to the sum which his pursuit
in social life might afford. ;. Fhe tot;
! amount required. TO recompense tn
: militia to be called out for .exercis
, will be trifing, when compared wit
the loss of time experienced by OF
: fellow citizens under the present in
I perfect organization, and of the ser
! Gus evils to which the youth of ii
] country are exposed by the frequel
! attempts now made to impart to the
/, a very imperfect knowledge Of the d.
: ties of the soldier. The subioine
] plan, will, it is believed, tend to d
b minish, if not entirely remove, sue
evils, and will also, by engendering 9
e esprit du corps throughout the milit
$ of the several districts, elevate in Il
T mind of every citizen the character
:, the duties which he is required to pc