Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-09-12

ny which they hope 10 obtain livelihood
In these preferences, J concur. lnall 9th
er respects The different plans are under
stood TO he substantially the same. Nhey
are 70 with regard to the authority 81 me
officers over the priyales, and tho rules tol
the government Of all when called out fl
driIl.--They all propose that The rules
should be those established for the govern
ment Of the army. The existing law ap'
plies those rules 10 the milh!s, when call.
ed into the service Of the U, 8. and ha:
done so for many years past. MIR. Poin'
sets plan does not add single penalty OF
new provision. There certainly exists to
some extent prejudice IN the public mind
against the application Of the same rgor in
the discipline Of citizen soldiers, who nre
only called out for short periods of SER
vice, MS that which is applied by oil ma
tiona to those, who make arms a profrs,
sions 1t will be for Congress TO decide
nidedNby The opinions Of experienced mil
itaFy men, whether the discipline OF the
militia, when called into the service OF the
United Sta,cs, sill admit of any relaxa
ton. No one appears sci 70 have thought
so. The rule by which Congress should
be governed, in my opinion, Is to confer
ms much authority as ~ necessary 10 sun
ordination and improvement, and to adapl
the regulations as far as practicable to the
character Of the force, aud the feelings ana
habits Of ouf people. The different plans
are also alike, in requiring the militia to
arm itself 1t is true, Mr.. Poinsett con.
templates the establishment of Depots Of
arms and ammunition at the expense Of
the Federal Government, near the places
where the militia are TO muster tor tram
ing but, like all his predecessors, he
proposes 10 leave 10 force the present law,
which makes il the duty of every enroll.
ed citizen to be constantly provided with
arms, accoutrements aud ammunition at
his own expense. This law il will he re-
membered, was passed under the admin
istration of Cen. Washington, aud was
re.enacted under that Of MIR. Jefferson.
Regarded as an indication of the princi-
piles of our Government, which confides
the protection of the Liberties of the coun-
try and the maintenance of public order
10 the hands of the free citizens Of the
it was honorable TO our Iesisla-
tion, and stands in beautiful contrast with
the institutions of other countries by which
the people, so far from being compelled TO
have arms, are denied the right to possess
them, and deprived of their use. But the
utter inehiciency of this provision Of the
law to induce the people TO arm them
selves properly has been fully demonstra-
ted. 1t is vain to expect, says Governor
Cass 10 the report before cited, ";ha, the
whole adult male population of The coun-
Try can, or will, furnish themselves with
he articles required by law."-W henev-
.r a military pride IS excited, as is the
Ease with volunteer associations, the law
$ obeyed !; but il cannot. it appears to me,
,e carried into execution with the mass OF
he militia without more rigorous exer-
Use OF authority on the part of the Gov
eminent than is consistent with The split
e our institutions. Mr.. Poinselt's plan
roposed to establish depots Of arms in the
everal STATES al the public expense, to be
sed when training, or in actual service
y The militia selected for duty, aud it was
OF contemplated to muster the rest OF the
1ilitia for discipline, it will in my judg
lent betwell worthy of serious considera
on, wheihsg Al repeal OF the law which
,qpires the militia 10 arm themselves al
siE pYA expense, leaving il 10 their OPP
2pttR;be so provided or not, and the dis
IAplioalpf ARMS 70 Tho full extent that
BX be- ,pepesssy 10 supply the militia
hae1ISaBede iB51 gctlye service, ought GO,
! cnnslitnscl a partof any plan for the re-
rgaRizaAinpy of the militia, by which a
ortion Of them are 10 be instructed at the
Expense Of the rest. The inclination oi
~ own mind would be decidedly in IA
or ofsuch course. The light, in which
he existing law requiring all who are en-
oiled, to arm themselves is regarded, may
. gathered from the fact, that men Of good
tanding and supposed intelligence ia the
ountry, have either been so ignoran. Of
10 existence themselves, or have counted
o largely on the ignorance Of their fellow
ilizens, rs TO charge Mr.. Poinseit with
N attempt to originate the measure, when
a truth, he only transferred il to his plan
rom the Stainte.book, where il had stood
or forty-seven years.
But ia my opinion, the difficulties which
reset this subject lilo deeper than this.
You have seen that the Committees Of
Congress have reported against re.or.
.anizaiion Of the militia upon inc princ,-
,le Of classificaiion, and that that they have
been virtually sustained in their objections
~ their respeciiYe houses. Yon have seen