The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-24

IA does not follow however that, because those errors
were then committed more enhgh'eheh ana wiser sYs
tenn may not now he adopted by the government nor
S n afford any reason why the laws should any longer
remain unexecuted :, a., .,... -, -
n,aIntyoy light and trivial the main purpose as TO
I the pryates being 10 keep them regularly enrolled,
90 that they may known and conveniently called upon
when necessity should require IT, should any ind ~ IN
Convenient on any occasion 70 attend muster proper
c-cusa or a small fine win be the only penalty imposed
snent instruction drilling. or training OF the great
bodv of the militia could not be expected 70 DC enioc@i
IN time OF peace but thorough instruction OF 'he o
GERS. who would probably number upwards o. iou. nuh
i men might not only be expected but insisted upon
"a ali ,ines They might form Of themselves model
regiment distinguished for their discipline ana ecieney,
and always ready for any proper emergency WHICH, ATONE
would make the militia system OF te DS',c. ehen'p
nonular and such body of practically and thoroughly
ins,rn,d officers would render the militia OF the District
NJ columbia after few days actual service In the held,
almost equal in efficiency To regular troops With such
a .vsem the harsssng vexatious and Intellectual train
ng Of tho of the might well be dispensed with,
hut Inv way Of compromise communication, every man
might Justly be called upon for small contribution in
the legal form of fine which fines, In the aggregate,
would I've sufficient with the fines OF the officers, To de-
fmy the necessary expenses of the active force OF the vol
untecr who with such encouragement, might be oalcu-
lated upon to perform the duties OF regular troops when
occasion should requIe.
Tho officers who have the honor to appear before
the President and the Secretary of War the represent
atyes OF the only active part OF the militia, consisting OF
companies made up by voluntary enrolment now In com
mission They have all experienced the difficulties arising
nom the anomalous condition of the militia OF this DIS
tct and have experienced in themselves and their com
maiis the want of regular legal system 10 enable
them to apply tho military principles and obseryances CD
sent 10 tho regulation and welbcing OF every military
body large small and therefore, unanimously concur
in tie application heretofore made to the Executive by
the major general in chief and other officers, Tor the
reorganization of the militia md regular execution
Of the laws They are citizens OF tho District,
inf sipl N
reason TO doubt that oil their fellow-citzens, who
have permanent interests and relations IN this cy ana
District equally Impressed with The necessity o! nav
ing regularly organized militia OF the scat OF the gene
raj Government for their own security well rs for the
security of the public and private property intrusted to
their protection, and no doubt all would feel mortified
and dshonOIed 1t found necessary by the govern
mcnt in consequence of their dereicon on want Of pub
lie shirt to have recourse any other means Of pioec
ton than that which should naturally be afforded by the
citizens themselves and there can be as little doubt that
their fellow citizens throughout the whole country expect
such protection for the scat of government at the hands of
it, citizens.
In conclusion beg leave most respectfully to request
the carly and favorable consideration OF the President to
the entire subject
On the conclusion of this address, the President
marked that it would DO we'll for him and the Secretary
Of War to have before them all the laws which had
been PASSED by Congress in reference to this subject and
Col H. handed him pamphlet containing all those laws
down 10 The year $780, stating that no other act had
since been passed except that in reference to the Arm
ory which had no reference to tho Organization of the
militia
Tho PRBiDgyr then addressed the officers rs follows
feel deeply sensible of the great Importance of mi
Ntia organization everywhere aud especially in this Dis
tct Being the scat of government the people Of the
United States have to expect and will always
pcc that tho militia OF this District shall be organ
iad and TINT they shall be animated by such spirit as
protect and preserve the lives and property of the c
Oft md tbn N frpI
invasion. l have long been intimately acquainted with
the people of this District, and say now, what
have id hundred times before, that do not believe
there is better, more moral, moro correct people
in the world than the resident population Washington
The disgrace that has been attempted to be cast upon
this people arises altogether from the influx Of bad people
from all parts of the country who too apt to assem-
bic at Washington but that only renders it the more
necessary that the militia of this District and the
spectacle population OF this District, should be well
gaized, and should keep this intrusive class from
uniting outgages upon the public and private property of
the country IL would be vain to say, what everybody
knows and believes, that the ml OF the country
It's surest defence in time OF war, and its best police in
time Of peace. do not apprehcnd much danger from
foreign Invasion yet it is possible and the experience OF
the last showed that it was practicable. shall with
great pleasure take into view request and refer the
document to the Secretary of War and have doubt
he will give the subject the attention which it so well
deserves. You have not however, submitted any pre-
else plan for the reorganization OF the militia entirely
concur in everything you have stated In this report but
think 1t is necessary that some definite plan should DO
pointed out to enforce this organization because without
plan might proceed upon generaltics until doons-
day. and yet do nothing to accomplish the desired object
think this address of yours which is very peltinentan
very able even, ought to be accompanied by distinct
dcncaion of what you desire, what you believe to be
Tor the best interest of the District and what would BIO
necessary to carry out these general principles.
The President then suggested that the officers should
appoint committee to decide upon definite plan of
reorganization.
Col llIoRH replied that this matter Of some
dcacy owing to the previous action and recommended
tons O tho superior officers Gen Jones aud Others, who
took dhotcnt view of the meter from the officers pres
cnt and would be for the President and the Secretary
War to determine whether they would adopt the sug-
geeon of the Gonera Chief OF pursue different and
independent course.
The President said that in regard TO the proposition
That the mass Of the militia should be enrolled without
expecting them to perform much active service all that
was very good and very proper but tho most important
question was as to tho volunteer companies, and he
hoped suggestion would be made in respect to them
Col HcKEY replied that il seemed to him that the first
step TO DO taken, if 1t should meet tho appreciation
The President and the Secretary of War would be to
haVean order issued like the following
OFTcP THE ADJUrASr GENERAL u s. Amy
Washington August -, 1853.
Order No. Militia District of Columbia
All persons holding commissions from the President
OF the United States In the militia of the District OF
Columbia required to report Themselves, in writing
10 this Office uniformed and ready to perform militia
=.