The Portland daily press., 1863-08-13
The Raising of Troops for the Army.

To- the Editor OFT Press:
l heard +. 0. j. Smith make some remarks
Monday evening at the Preble House. He
said we were in the midst of rebellion and
revolution. His remarks upon the rebellion
were well enough that it must be put down.
In his remarks upon the revolution, it seemed
to me that he did not understand the subject
so well His remarks were mostly upon the
CONSUMPTION tina. is, the mode of raising men
by draft or CONSUMPTION, instead of by enlist
ments and bounty.
The idea he advanced on the CONSUMPTION
was that the men were raised on government
instead OF state account: that they all went
directly into the United States service, were
differed and enlisted under the authority Of
the United Ssates. That Government was
thereby getting the whole military power into
the hands of the United States instead of the
States that the officers would all hold their
commissions directly from the President in
stead Of the governors OF the States.
This mode Of raising men (by the general
government has alwaysibeen in use, except in
the United States in a few instances. In the
old revolution they followed the state or sepa-
rate colo NAL mode for several years, till
General Washington told Congress that they
must have continental army or gire up the
contest. They then adopted his plans and
succeeded. The reason for the mode Of pro-
ceeding at first was that every State was
sovereign and independent nation, and there
fore could not be controlled by the others. At
ter the adoption ofthis measure, no apprehen-
sion was manifested that the army and Con-
gress were designing to usurp the govern
ment. What few soldiers were wanted after
the peace, were enlisted as continental troops.
In the war of 1912, the army was raised by
Congress and the officers all held their COM
missions from the war Office, or the President.
No apprehension was expressed that Congress,
the President and the War Office were usurp-
ers. The navy was also raised, organized and
commissioned in the same way. No apprehen-
sion was expressed Of usurpation, nor tyranny.
In the Mexican war, it was the same. No APP
prehensions expressed, no fanlt found. Nei-
Their party claimed anything nor blamed the
other.
One great point OF complaint is, that in this
mode of raising men, the state authorities
lose all control over their men and cannot call
them away from the control of the United
States authorities. As understand the case,
it makes no odds in which way they are raised.
If raised by the states, when mustered into
service and sworn in, they are then United
States troops, paid, clothed and fed by the
United States. If any state does any of these
things, strict account is kept and tile United
States pays the bills. Ii understand the
case, when mustered into the United States
service, they are U. S. troops, and not State
| troops, and the States have no control over
them, and cannot call them from the federal
army; and for a very good reason-they are
sworn into the service of the United States
and swear allegiance to the United States and
not to any individual state.
After all, doubt very much il the gentle.
man had or has any apprehension Of danger
| of usurpation, on account of this mode OF
raising the men.
And after all, it is the most economical
and convenient way of raising them and max.
| lutlil Ill the sNOElest tlfle.
raised by the states, they would be raised as
new regiments. The officers and men would
be all green troops, and could not be muster.
ed differed, equipped and disciplined much
less than a yeaE which would make a great
delay and expense. In the present form they
are taken as fast as available to Ill up the old
regiments. They are then Immediately under
the command of tried and experienced Off
GERS and mixed among experienced soldiers
which is a great saving to the country and
great advancement TO the army. Under thi:
view of the subject, see no great cause o
alarm TO the country.
As to the $500 CONSUMPTION money, l an
not sufficiently acquainted with the subject Il
give any decided opinion. | therefore leave
it to those better acquainted. We are in trou
BILE enough and hope all candid men will
unite to save the country in the shortest anC
best way. j. NJ.
Portland, Aug. IS, 1868.