Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-27

has the power TO proYlde lOI oallhs iOitN
lie militia 10 execute the laws of the
Union. supress insurreotion and repel IN |
vasion, The militia force provided for
these purposes,, by existing laws, and
which to render il effective, is compelled
to be at all times provided with arms; ac-
coutrements a1d ammunition, and to De |
mustered and drilled at stated periods,
and kept always ready for service, comprl-
ses, with limited and enumerated ex-
emptions, the whole of the able-bodied
male white population of the United
States, between tho ages Of eighteen and
foriy.fiVe. When it is considered that the
number Of these, according TO official re-
turns, exceeds amilion and half OF men,
aud probably at this period, amounts to
two millions, the immense and consequently oP-
pressive excess Of the existing preparatory anrol-
ment bs yond the possible wants OF the country,
must be apparent to all. How far the existing
organizarion and laws passed by the States IN
pursuance thereof have proved successful in ac-
complishing the great object in view, viz: the in
struction and inrpro yement Of citizen soldiers in
military tactics, you are able to jadge for Your
sslyes, Ths results were a short time since sum-
med I'D by the officer before alluded TO, in these
emnhatic words: II is vain 10 expect that the
whole adult ponuation Of the country can, or
will furnish themselves with the articles required
nv law or ,hnt their collection, for any number
of days they can afford to deVo.e TO this object,
and under the usual circumstances Of such assem-
blages, can produce any beneficial effects to them
selyss or their country Already, in number Of
The States, the system has sunk under the weight
of public opinion, and the practical question now
Is whstbsr wa shall remain in fact delencelass, or
resort 10 largo standing military force IN time oi
peace, tina! Just dread of all fee governments,
or adopt m efficient plan, which will prepare ior
the public defence tho greatest force at t 10 least
cost, and without danger"
To remedy the evils Of the present system, 1t
| has been repeatedly proposed to reorganize lhe
militia, in such manner as to reduce ths number
Of men, who shall be fitted and always ready
10 perform the service contemplated by the Con-
sttution, say from the number OF two millions to
two hundred thousand, and to pay the latter a
reasonable compensation Of the National lfeasll-
~, in order 10 renunerate thsm for tho increased
burden thus imposed upon them. Several plans
70 effect this purpose, have, from timc to time,
been submitted to Congress, by successive Secre
| tares of War, commencing with General hnox's,
in 100, and ending With that Of Mr.. POinsett, in
| lS40 That 'lr Poinsetps is, in several res
poets, preferable to those which have preceded il,
aud is calculated to effect more equitable dis
position of the whole military force Of the country
than aay heretofore presented, appears 10 have
been the opinion of the committees Of both Houses
Of Congross The grounds of this preference are
fully set forth in the abls reports made by their
respective chairmon, at the last session, which
have been publishad, and extensively circulated,
and are stated as follows:
LIST. II extends the pay, for the period occupi-
ed in training, to pryatRs rs we'll as to commis-
sIonsd and-non commissioned officers, to whom il
was lin tied IN the plans Of others. 2nd. 1t in
troduees the principle of rotation, by which the
period during which ths citizens are engaged in
training is diminished, ,and the instruction they
receive more directly impaired to the mass, and
the burdens as we'll rs benefits, mor1 equally
distributed among the people,
Sd. In excluding from enrolment all bstween
Is aud 30 years Of age, being the period Of life in
which young men arc employed in finishing their
education, learning trade, or studying the profess
sion by which they ho,o TO obtain n livelihood.
In these preferences, concur In all other res
pects the different plans undersood to be sub
stantinlly the same. They are SO with regard to
the authority tine officers over the nrvates, ani
the rules for the government of all when called out
for drill. They Ill propose that tho rules should
be those established for the government of the
army. The existing law applies those rules to
the militia, when called into the service Of tho
, United S,utes and has done so for many years
past. Mr. Po nsetts plan does not add single
penalty or nov provision. There certainly OK,
ISIS to some 'xtent Il prejudice in the public
mind agninst the application of the sans rigot in
the dicipiino OF citizen soldiers, who are tnly call
el ont for short periods of service, MS that whct
: Is applied by all nations to lhoss wha make arm
: profession. II will be foe Cons'ass to decide
/. aided by tina opinions of experienced military men
/. whether the diciplna of tho militia, when cnlle
into the service of the United tatas, will ADM
Of any relaxation No one appears yet to hav
! thought SO, The rulo by which Congress shoul
i be goIonOd, IN my opinion, Is 10 confer as muc
!. authority rs necessary, tn subordnation and in
A prnyemeNt, and to adapt tho regulations as far a
prac scable 70 the character OF the force, and tn
feelings and habits Of or people. The dtteren
Q plans ara also alike IN requiring tha militia I
}, arm itsalf. Ii ia true Nh Poinssu contemplOt;
!, the establishment Of depos Of arms andamunitior
. at the expense of the Federal Government, ne1
: the places wbsrs tho militia ara to muster {,
training; but, like all his predecessors, he prop,
l. ses leave IN force tho present law, which make
lttho duty ofevesy enrolled citizen 10 DO constan
.GI W provid0d win RrnSyae outtsnshlSi ana anu
y milton, at his own expense, This law, il will b
u remembered, was passed uudsf the administrator
!. Of Gen Washington, anl was ro-snactod uhic
that nf Mr. Jefferson, Regarded as an indicatin
0fIhV principles ofour Government, which fonide
2 the protection of tbs liberties Of tha country II
Y the maintenance of fpuDic order TO the hands a
I. the free citizens Of ths Republic, it was honora
bls to our legislation, mud stands In beautiful Goa
> trast with the institutions Of Other countries b.
which this pHople, SO fas from being compelled l.
: have am', are denied the right to possess them
& and deprived Of THAR use. But thu uttat ihsfl
i cisney Of this provision Of the law to lhducc tn
A people 10 arm themselves properly has been fur
: demonstrated. 1t is vain 70 expect, says Gov
Casa IN tina 'spor bef1re cited, "slat tins whnl
o adult male popul1ton Of the country can, o. will
furnish lhemselveveS with the articles required b
= law" Wherever military pride is excited, a
isthe case with volunteer associations, the law
obeysd; but itcannoi, it appears to ms, bs car
; reA into execution with the mass Of the millt
2 without lnofe rigorous exercise Of authority o
the part ol the Government than is consis,en
with the spirit Of our inst tat0is MI Ponsest'
plpA promo cd 10 establish depots of arms in In