Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1840-10-10
FROM TmR snurnEnSrH
The Militia system.

Jackson, with some remarks upon each; and, in |
order that better comparison may be made be-
tween them and that proposed under the present
administration; and ,ha, fair judgment may be
formed of the justice OF injustice Of Major Camp
bells remarks upon Mr.. Poin ett's recommcnda-
items, we place the whole consccu,ively together,
let The plan Of Washington.
The whole militia to be divided Into three clas.
lst Class-Advance Corps --yours men ls to
20 year of age.
I'd. Cass--Main Corps men from ~ to 45
years of age.
Sd. CIass-Reserve Corps --lnen from IS to 60
years of age
The whole of the Advance Corps to bc at the
expense of the United States.
An annual Camp of Discip ne t, be held for
tLirty days.
Commissioned officers only to be pail.
Estimated expenses, 100000 yearly, which null
,iplied by 5, according to our increase of popula
ton, would be now 81 l.s5o,oOO yearly.
I'd. The plan of J, J,fferson.
To closs and train all from 20 to 25 years of oge.
in such manner as to be liable to be called into
service at moments warning.
Which classification would have given, in 1908,
100000 men, and In ls4O would give about
100000.
Sd. The recommendations of Madison and Har-
rison.
After various suggestions, from SOC to lsl0 all,
however, contemplating and urging the necessity
of camp duties, and strict trimming, and payment of
the United States, to the officers, or both officers
and privates, a bill was introduced by committee,
of which General William Henry Harrison was
chairman, TO the following effect
Ist The whole militia to be divided into three
Glasses. lst. Minor Class-young men between
IS and 81 years of age. ID. Junior Class-men
between 81 and 81 years of age. Sd. Senior GLASS
men between 81 and as years Of age.
I'd. The whole of the officers and sergeants to be
trained ono month in each year, at The expense of
tile United States
81. The estimated expenses about 81 ,eOo,O 900
for the month.
4th. Plan-proposed under J. Q. Adams.
lsi. That a select body Of about 500 600 men
should be organic d, none under 81 years Of age.
3D. That the President should have the power
to call out the militia, for period oftwelve months.
Sd. That the officers should be encamped and
instructed ten days in each year.
4th. That they should be paid by the U. States
during encampment.
5th. Plan-Proposed by Mr.. Poinsstt.
lst The whole militia to be divided into three
ls. Class--to be denominated the mass, consist
ing of the whole body of militia, the same in fact
as we now know by the term militia, with this ex.
ception, that now all are enrolled between the ages
of ls and As, whereas, this plan proposes no, to
enroll before 20 years of age. See LIST section Of
lst and I'd heads of the plan.
Cd. Class-The active or movable force, consist
ing of only 100000 men, of the whole number be-
tween the ages of 81 and 81. See 10Th head of
the plan.
81. Class-Tke reserve or sedantary force, to be
composed of those who have served years in the
active class. See 18th head of the plan.
%. 100000 men only of the active class, to per-
form camp duty for limited number Of days each
year, for years. See las, section 'f ll'h head
and tie l7ih head.
Sd. Both officers and privates of said 100000 to
be paid by the United States
4th. Estimated expenses-if ten days, as recon-
mended by Poinsett, he adopted, the expense would
be less than $500 900 per year!
In addition to the above detailed plans the sub
ject was repeatedly brought before the notice of
Congres by both Monroe and Jackson; and in all
the numerous recommendations, the principles OF
payment by the United States, and the severe train
ing Of select few, instead OF the inefficient ogani,
zation Of the mass, were emboued, How then is it,
that Maj Campbell says: "But the mode in which
this one (viz: army, he calls ) is to be raised
has no parallel in the history of this country" We
find very close paalel even in the very first plan
of Washington. "J'hree classes-Tbe whole ofthe
LIST class at the expense of the United Sahs--an
annual camp of discipline for thirty days" How
then is it, that Major Campbell says. "rhefe never
has been such apropoiton as this (Siz; Poinsetts)
made to the American people, since the commence
ment of the Struggle for Independence !" and yet
here is one made iy the Father of his country. one
of his earliest and latest recommendations during
his Presidency. Surely the excitement Of the occa.
sion must have blun,ed Maj Campb,i's remem-
brance or more likely he had run along the stream
of whig declarations, and taken that for granted,
which he might, by investigation, hqse better in
f5rmed himself upon.
"No paralli" Look ot the 2 Il,n, that Of
Iaffs,sop-.aall heiween 90 ard 2b wears of ana IN