The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-05-14

] ''It is proposed TO divide the United
/ States into eight military districts, and
( to organize the militia in each district, so
as TO have body of twelve thousand FIVE
hundred men in active service, and anoth-
er OF equal number as reserve. This
would give an armed militia force of two
hundred thousand men, SO drilled and sta
toned as to be ready to take their place
in the ranks in defence of the country
when ever called upon to oppose the
enemy or repeal the invader. The age
of the recruit to be from 20 to 81; the
whole term of service to be eight years
four. years in the first class, and four in
the reserve; one-fourth part, twenty-five
thousand men, to leave the service every
year, passing, at the conclusion of the
first term, into the reserve, and eXemp-
ted from ordinary militia duty altogether
at the end of the second. In this manner,
twenty five thousand men will be dis
charged from militia duty every year,
and twenty-five thousand fresh recruits
! be received into the service. It 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 intervals; for, in due course Of time,
nearly the whole mass of the militia will
J! pass through the first and second classes,
! and be either members OF the active corps,
or of the reserve, or counted among the
exempts, who will be liable to be called
upon only in periods Of invasion or i'm
minent peril. The manner Of enrolment,
the number of days of service. and the
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 submit to you
Here is the endorsation of this mon
strous project by Mr. Van Buren,, in his
| last annual message:
, 1.-The present condition Of the defences
of our principal seaports and navy yards,
as represented by the accompanying re-
! port of the Secretary of War, calls for
) the early and serious attention of Con-
: gress; and, as connecting itself intimate
| Fly with the subject, | cannot recommend
, too strongly TO your consideration the
: plan submitted by that officer for the or
! ganization of the militia of the United
: States.'
The following is the 18th section of
: the plan of details proposed by the Sc
cretary of War for the organization of the
| militia Of the United States. thus recon-
f mended by Mr. Van Buren-bv which
s the power is given to the President to
assemble such members, at such places,
! and at such times, within their respective
v districts, as he may deem necessary-not
! exceeding twice in one year. The people
: are required, if called on, to perform mil
itary duty beyond the limits of their
: own States, at the will of the President,
!, there being only eight districts i'll the
e Union, and consequently several States in
e district.
r We have only TO call your attention to
i the universal prediction made i'll 1888,
h at the time of the removal of the depo-
e sites, and reiterated down to the presen,
e time, viz: That 1Uhea tie Federal Er-
n ecutiue obtained unlimited control ouey
e the public purse, the nert step acould be
e tt, raise a standing arn1y.
it Here it is in its full proportions !!
:. The next step towards the downfall Of
it this republic. under the false garb of dem
! ocracy, we leave you to conjecture. In
: the mean time, you are entreated to pause
before you strike this last fatal blow al
e the liberties of your country.
n "l7. That the President of the United
I States be authorized TO call forth and as.
semble such numbers Of the active force
$ of the militia, at such places within their
n respective districts. aud at such times, not
: exceeding twice, nor-------days in the
}, same year, as he may deem necessary;
$ and during such period, including the
| time when going to and returning from
the place of rendezvous, they shall be
deemed in the service Of the United States,
}. and be subject to such regulations as the
: President may think proper to adopt for
: their instruction, discipline, and improve
!, ment in military knowledge"
We, the, undersigned, hereby certify
that the above extracts are true copies
from the reports Of the Secretary of War,
+ aud from the message of the President OF
f the United States.
h April Is, 1910.
e r. Garland, Of Louisiana,
Il John Bell, of Tennessee.
G. John NJ. Bolts, of Virginia,
, Thos. Corwin. of Ohio,
M. H. Grinnell, Of New York,
J.aC. Clark, of New York,
Leverett Saltonstall Of Mass,
Truman Smith. of Connecticut,
Executive Committee.