The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, Seventeenth Congress, Second Session Page: 557
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557
HISTORY OF CONGRESS.
558
January, 1823.
Disciplining the Militia.
H. of R.
same time continue to neglect the great bulwark
of our safety, what is to be the consequence? I
need not puiut it out, for the reflections of every
gentleman must bring him to the same result.
The attention of the people is lo be drawn from
reliance on themselves, so far as the influence of
such measures, and those in authority can go;
and, while their attention is constantly directed
to the Army, Navy, Fortifications, and Military
Academy, they are persuaded to forget that they
are their own and their country's defenders. But,
sir, said he, I hope the time is very far distant
when they can be brought to this. When you
inquire about the defences of our country of those
in authority, you are told of the Army, the JNavy,
Fortifications, and Military Academy, and these
we are told are to diffuse military science to the
militia throughout the Union ; but, sir, this will
never be realized. The science of the Army and
the Military Academy is like the light under the
bushel, to the militia, or the great body of the peo-
ple. They are not enlightened in military science
from that source. It is partial, and confines this
science to a few, while I wish, so far, as it is
taught at the public expense, to teach it to the
great body of the people. I have been often told,
not in the House, but out of it, that nothing can
be done, in regard to giving military science to
the militia. This doctrine 1 do not believe in ;
the experiment has not yet been fairly made; not
one single dollar has ever yet been appropriated
by the General Government to that object. He
thought the public money could be as well applied
to national defence in this way as any other; the
system he had presented was a simple and easy
one to be carried into effect. It only wanted the
sanction of Congress, and the appropriation of the
money, and the great object would readily be at-
tained. The militia officers of the whole United
States would soon be instructed in all the duties
required of them in a state of war ; and, while in
a state of peace, would be constantly in some de-
gree disseminating, to the great mass of the peo-
ple, the principles by which they are to be gov-
erned when called into the public service. This,
he confidently believed, would result from the pas-
sage of this bill. Though he did not like the de-
tails of it in every respect himself, he at the same
time was anxious for its adoption. The principle
was the great point to be gained. To give disci-
pline by a general and impartial system to all the
officers of the militia, would effect every thing
necessary; for, when all the officers of an army
are acquainted with their duties, all goes on well
with the service. He was also in favor of arming
this great national force, and during the last ses-
sion of Congress had introduced a resolution,
which was adopted by the House, inquiring into
the expediency of increasing the annual appro-
priation for arming the militia. The resolution
was referred to the Committee of Ways and
Means, who reported against it, on the ground
that there was a large amount of the present an-
nual appropriation to that object unexpended.
While the appropriation to the regular Army, For-
tifications, and Military Academy, could be ap-
plied to the fullest extent, and amounting lo many
millions, the comparatively small appropriatioa
of two hundred thousand dollars, for arming the
citizens of our country, could not, it seemed, be
applied to that object. This, he said, indicated
to him the feelings of those whose duty it was to
see our appropriations faithfully and impartially
applied to the objects for which they were in-
tended. Such feelings, he feared, prevailed with
at least a part of those engaged in the administra-
tion of our Government, and he wished, by the
adoption of the measure before the Committee, to
draw more strongly the attention of the adminis-
tration of our Government to what he believed to
be our great reliance for national defence, and
such, he had no doubt, would be the effect of its
adoption. There were, he said, many enlarged
and important views connected with this great
subject, which he declined, at this time, going
into. He had stated to the Committee, as briefly
as he could, the leading objects and provisions of
the bill, and with as much correctness as was in
his power, or, as he believed, was in the power of
any one, the annual amount of its expense. He
wished the members to examine well and reflect
on the subject. He contended that the provisions
of the Constitution of the United States, in rela-
tion to this great object, should be carried into
effect. He had no doubt the frarners of the Con-
stitution as much intended this power should be
exercised as any of the other powers given to
Congress. This was the object of the bill, which
he said was based on the great principles of equal-
ity, in relation to the distribution of military sci-
ence, as well as the expenditure of the money.
It would go equally into every State and Territory
in the Union, every county, and even into every
captain's company. The people will be instruct-
ed in military scicncc ; then give them arms, and
wc are fortified at every point, and over e^ery part
of our territory, so far as population has extended,
or shall extend. He hoped that this Congress
would not adjourn, or that the 3d of March would
not arrive, before the adoption of this measure, or
some other, equally calculated to secure, to the
latest period, the great principles of free govern-
ment and republican liberty. It is true, he said,
we are not now threatened with the dangers of
war, but if peace is indeed the time to prepare for
war, now is the time for the adoption of this
measure.
Mr. Arthur Smith, of Virginia, moved to
amend the bill so as to require the encampments
to take place every two years instead of yearly.
Mr. Keyks, of Vermont, proposed to amend the
proposed amendment, by adding two years more,
so as to have the bill provide for an encampment
of officers to take place once in four years. Mr.
K. acknowledged his object in making this motion
was to destroy the bill under consideration ; for
he looked upon the passing of it as greatly en-
hancing the expenses of the United States, with-
out their receiving any benefit in return for this
expense. The militia of New England was now
well disciplined, and could form column or bat-
talion, and display, from centre or either wing, as
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Gales and Seaton. The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, Seventeenth Congress, Second Session, book, 1855; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc30367/m1/277/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.