Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-01-16

though We consider them more important, 10 them m
selves. than the annual communication Of the Chief
Magistrate.
In the Report Of the Secretary Of War, are CON
tanned some suggestions respecting the organsza'
lion Of he Miiaa, which we conceive TO be 50 m
tefesting 10 the People generally, as TO deserve a
place in our columns and We accordingly trans
cribe that part uf The Report entire:
81 cannotr refrain from remarking here that a due
regard for the secnri,y and honor Of the country,
requires that an effort should be nude With IS NJ
tie delay as possible to place our exposed frontiers
IN a per feet stnfe az defence. Intimately connec-
ted with this subiect 10 the organization OF yoi"n'
teer CORPS in the immediate vicinity Of the forts
| The policy ard even necessity of this measure have
been stated 10 my preceding reports, ana are annos'
too obvious to need ~ petition, Even UNDER the 'of-
mer very defective system OF keeping the fegu'a'
forces in garrison within the forts along OH "hoie
limo Of fontier, they are insufficient for their de-
fence. Bat IL The army Of the United States IS to
10 rendered sIicicnt and It's discipline preserved
I must be kept together in masses, ana garrison
duty he performed by small detacbmepts' ained ~
case OF need, by the neigbboring militia. Accom-
panying this report is a minute detail OF ihe num-
Der OF Troops required Upon the fronf'ers' ihey
must he drawn chiefly from the people, and TO be
/ effective IN war, tHsy mpst " 'H
their military duties in time OF peace.
"a plan for this purpose was submitted TO Ion
press In 1897, and again recommended the Follow
Ing wear; bat not acted upon. Having UNDERSTOOD
hat the chief objection 10 It's adoption consists ~
is being limited to q comparatively small BODY ~
men. and that it was the desire Of Congress, as well
as Of the nation, that a plan Tor the o'gahl]a'o"
Of the militia Of the United States should ema-
nate from this Department, | have thought II my
l. A tm.-as aud fhQupl epttIE1
upon the task wish reluctance and great d,Hidenee'
feel confident that the project herewith submit
tad ia practicable, and that while IL viii diminish
The burden Of personal service now exacted from
the citizen, 1t will ensure the prompt ard sihcient
aoplication OF the national force tothe national de-
fence.
" IL Is proposed to divide the United States INTO
eight military districts. and TO organize The militia
in ench district, NO as 10 have a body Of twelve
thousand FIVE hundred men in active service; and
another Of equal number as q reserve. Tho would
rive an armed militia force of two hundred thou
,and men, 80 drilled and stationed, asto be ready
TO take their places in the ranks in defence Of the
country whenever called upon to oppose the enc
INV or repel tho invader. The age Of the recruit
10 DO from twenty TO thirty.seyen. The whole
term of service to be eight years four years IN the
frst class, aud four years in the reserve. One
fourth part, twenty. FIVE thousand men, TO leave tho
service every yeof, PassihB
first term, into the reserve, and exempted rom
| ordinary militia duty altogether, at the end OF the
| second. In this manner, twenty-five thousand men
will be discharged from militia duty every year.
and twenty-five thousand fresh recruits be received
into the service. Ii will be sufficient for all useful
purposes. that the remainder OF the militia, under
certain regulations provided for their government,
be enrolled and be mustered at long and stated IN
tervals for in due process OF time, nearly the
whole mass Of the militia will pass through the frst
and second Glasses, and be either members OF the
active corps. or Of the reserve, or be called upon on
" in periods ofinvasion or imminent peril. The
manner of enrolment, the number of days OF service,
and he rate Of compensation. ought TO be fixed by
law but the details had better be left subject to
regulation a plan Of which am prepared to sub
nit to YOU"