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

incarnation and distribution Of sys,en
N iac,ica. constitute every material part
IL IND lecislation of Congress upon lilo
subject ~ I'M Militia since tho establish.
menl III Tho Government.
INC organ,zation of the militia thus es.
tabIisbed has been in force nearly fifty
years. Ii varies IN many essential par.
iicuiars from thatrecommended by GeneE
eraI Washington, and has been regarded
ever since its adoption as defective in an
eminent degree. ID we'll by The successive
Presidents of lie III. H., as by az other
persons. whose habits 81 Iifaand opporlu.
niles q personal observation have fitted
,bem 10 form sound opinions upon the sub.
|iect It's Improvement was therefore an
object of unceasirg and anxious solcitude
al ne bart Of General Washington, and
almost every successive President com
lmenccd bis career with calling the atien.
lion Of Congress to the subject, aud closed
III with expressions Of regret that these
recommendation han proved unavailing.
Gen Cass. when Secretary Of War, sta
led ii d Il official report, that this subject
had been presented for consideration no
Iless than thirty one times ir official Exec.
n,;ve communications, commencing with
The inaugural address Of President Wash
ton.
The principal objections 70 the present
system appear 70 arise from the great and
unnecessary extent Of the enrolment Of
fthe militia held 10 actual service, aud who
are required to muster md do duty GER
Itain number Of days in the year, and from
tie want uF adequate means or induce
lments 10 secure proper distraction BY
reason OF which this heavy lax is not on.
liy rendered in great degree useless, but
\ ID also unreasonably burdensome.
BY The Federal Constitution, Congress
has The power 10 provide for calling forth
1.-The militia to execute the laws OF the "
MON, suppress instruction and repel IN
I, vasion. The militia force provided for
these purposes, by existing laws, and
/. which, to render IL effective, is compelled
10 be at all times provided with arms, ac-
coutrements and ammunition, and TO 30
mustered and drilled at stated periods, and
kept always ready for service, comprises,
. with limited and enumerated exemptions,
1.-The whole or the nhle-bodied male white
pouation III The United States between
The ages 1S and 45.--When 1t is consid-
cred that's number og these according 10
official returns exceed d million and a half
I of men, q probably at this period, amounts
], 10 two millions, the immense snd conse-
lqpenily oppressive excess Of the existing
preparatory enrolment, beyond The posi-
Bile wants of the country, must be appar-
cut ia all. How far the existing organi-
ii zaii0n and laws passed by the States in
pursuance thereof have proved successful
lin accomplishing the great object in view,
viz: The instruction and improvement OF
citizen soldiers ID military tactics, you are
able % Judge foryonrselyes. The results
we're short time since summed up by the
officer before alluded 10, In these emphatic
words HI 10 vain 10 expect, That tire
whole adult population df The country CAM
or will furnish themselves Win HE articlas'
required BY law ot thaf theif colIgetiBh,.i
for any number of day tliey fcati aff6fidft9I
devote to this obiect. lard dAdGr Che tsltaE
circumstances Of such dysesRhlages,d catr
produce any beneficial sefl9eish III 1lftfaly
selves 81 their country. A9saHSys,nfr e
! number 81 the States, the SYSTEM siliK'
under the weight of public opinion, and
= the practical question now II, whether we
Z shall remain IN fact, defenccIess, or resort
Z % 4 large standing military force la time
tot peace, that Just dread of all free govern.
= ments, Or adopt an efficient plan, which
d wlil prepare ior the public defence the
= 49, Es..M "a