The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-08-28

THE STANDING ARMY."-Mr.
VAN BUREN'S LETTER,-HIS
TRIUMPH OVER HIS ENEMIES
The following is Mr.. Van Buren's re-
ply 10 one ofthe interrogatOues put to
him BY several citizens of Elizabeth
City, Va, on the l2th Of June last. and
which were answered by him on the
3lst IOiy. The came question with
several others. which we're answered
by Mr. Van Buren,. we're also propoun-
ded to Gen. Harrison, but he has not
thought them worthy of an answer The
letter is a triumphant overthrow Of the
vile attacks of the Federal wings a.
gainst Mr.. Van Buren, as regards his
connection with Mr. Pomsetl's Militia
Bill.
In conclusion, you ask me. "Wheth-
er approve Of Mr.. PoiDseu's scheme
for the organization of the mlIitial"
My knowledge Of military affairs, is
very limited; but | will nevertheless
give you such vows as have been able
totake Of the subject Of your enquiry.
The Constitution of the United
States authorizes Congress to provide
for organizing, arming and d,sciplning
the militia, and for governing them when
in the service of the United States; re-
serving TO the States the appeintment Of
officers. and the authority 10 train the
militia, according TO the MODE of diss
cIpline prescribed by Congress. In
execution Of this grant of power, Con-
gress during the administration of Gen.
eral Washington, and upon this recon-
mendalion, passed law for the organs
zation of the militia of the United
States. By this act, it is provided first,
that every free white citizen of the Uni
ted States, resident therein, between
the ages OF fifteen and forty five (wlth
some enumerated exemptions, are ia
be enrolled and divided by the several
States into companies, battallions, regi-
ments, brigades and divisions, upon
principles therein established, and il
like manner ofticered by them according
10 the rules prescribed by Congress 60
determining their number and respectiv,
rank. I'd, Thatthe militia thus enr oil!
ed, shall be armed at their own expense
Sd. That they shall be disciplined ac
cording to the rules approved and es
tablished by Congress, on the twenty
ninth March, l719, and 4,h Thst III
/ rules for the Government Of the Mllli
. when called into the service OF The Tn
Ted States, the manner and occasion
! of doing which being point out
law, shall be the same rules and arii
} cles OF war, as are provided for III
government Of The troops of the Unite
States.
The provisions of the act of 49,
which obliges every citizen duly enroll
J ed, to be "constantly provided wit
arms, sceoutrements and ammunition,
, was reenacted during the adminisira,io
of Mr.. Jefferson; and so much of tbt
, act as established the d,cipline and reg
ulations Of Baron S!euben was eubse
quently repealed, and The system of dis
, cipline and exercise of the Regular Ar
my was adopted for the militia. Thes
additional provisions, with occasion,
acts respecting the appointment of tn
, officers by the States, and changing tn
regulations concerning the pay and sub
sistence Of the Militia when in the ac
lual service of the United States, an
the preparation and distribution of
system of tactics, constitute every ma
teral part of the Legislation of Congress
upon the subject of the Militia sine
the establishment Of the Government.
The organization of the Militia thu
established has been in force nearly ff
ty years. 1t varies in many essenta
particulars from that recommended b.
General Washington, and has been re
garded ever since it's adoption as de
fective in an eminent degree as we'll b
the successive Presidents Of the Unite
States, as by all other persons, who's
habits of life and opportunities of per
sonal observation have fitted tcem I
form sound opinions upon the subjec
Its improvement was therefore an OBJ
ject Of uDceasing and anxious solici
tude on the part Of General Washing
ton, and almost every successive Pres
ident commenced his career with call
+ ing the attention of Congress to tn
subject, anc closed it with expression
Of regret that these recommendation
had proved unavailing. General Cass
when Secretary Of War, stated in al
official report, that this subject ha,
tbeen presented for consideration n,
less than tbirty>one times 10 official Elk
ecutive communications, cUmmencin,