Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

From the Albany Daily Advertiser.

The Militia.

We published yesterday a plan which has been reported to the House of Representatives, by Mr. Graham, the acting Secretary of War, for classing and arming the Militia. So far as we recollect it appears to be very nearly, if not exactly, like that which was before the House the last session, and which was postponed to a more convenient season. We have published it at length for the benefit of our readers, because it is one of those subjects in which every man in the community, let his politics be of what cast they may, has a direct and highly important interest. The great features of this plan are;

1. To divide the militia of the U. S. into three classes—to be called the minor, junior, and senior classes. The minor class, to comprise all persons between eighteen and twenty-one years of age—the junior class, all persons between twenty-one and thirty-one years—and the senior class, all persons between thirty-one and forty-five years.

2. The minor class shall be liable to be called into the service of the U. S. within the State or territory to which they belong, for a term not exceeding six months—the senior class shall be liable to be thus called into service, in the State or territory where they belong, and into the adjoining States or territories, not exceeding three months—and the militia of the junior class shall be liable to the performance of any duty required of the militia, under the Constitution of the U. S. not exceeding twelve months.

3. The minor and junior classes, of each division, shall be annually assembled at not more than two cantonments in each division, to be trained under the authority of the States, according to the system of discipline which is or may be adopted for the government of the army; and officers of experience are to be detailed by the executives of the several states, to organize and command them so assembled. And it is made the duty of all other officers, between twenty one and thirty one years of age, to attend such encampment, and to act in any capacity as staff or non commissioned officers which may be assigned them. Cavalry also belonging to those classes are to attend, and be instructed as infantry.

4. The militia employed in the service of the U. States, shall be subject to the rules and articles of war.

5. Every officer non commissioned officer, or private, when called into the service of the U. S. by the President who shall refuse to obey the orders of a superior officer of militia, shall be liable to be tried by a court martial, and receive such punishment as is pointed out by the martial law for similar offences; and if any person drafted as aforesaid, who shall refuse or neglect to march, and join his corps, when ordered so to do by his superior officer, he shall be considered as a deserter, and shall be dealt with accordingly.

The above are some of the most important traits of this plan. We have endeavoured to simplify them in such a manner, that they may be easily understood by every person who may feel interested in examining this subject. It will of course, go before the military committee of the House, who undoubtedly will report a bill to carry it into effect. We shall expect shortly to see in what manner they will treat it. About this, however, there probably, need be but little doubt, as it is a favourite measure with the Administration -one which they probably seem to pursue until they have accomplished it, or are fairly beaten off from it by public opinion:

We presume a bill is already prepared : if so, it will soon be before the country. Indeed, it is more likely than not that the one before the House the last session will be reproduced. That bill, and this plan, if carried into execution, will transfer from the States, to which they belong, to the U. States, the whole effective militia, and whenever the President shall so will it to be, will change the militia into regular soldiers. This is a pretty serious consideration, not only for individuals, but for the States, because it is, in our view, a direct invasion of their sovereignty, which, if submitted to in one instance, will soon be called for in all. It is also the most outrageously oppressive scheme that was ever invented for the purpose of burthening a free people.

However, as it our purpose to examine this subject a little more in detail hereafter, we will not extend these remarks further at the present time. We believe it more intimately concerns the rights and privileges of the militia, and the independence of the State governments, than any other measure that is likely, at present to occupy their attention.