Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-40.djvu/136

126 that could not fail to improve the spirit and efficiency of the organizations. Above all else, the army would really be a framework about which to build a great volunteer force. By calling out the militia regiments battalioned with the regiments of the line the fifty battalions of the latter could be increased to one hundred or one hundred and fifty battalions without a particle of change in the organization, and every two or three militia battalions would serve with two regular battalions.

Except a few troops to keep some small bands of possibly hostile Indians in order, it is not worth while for us to keep up any army unless we keep up one that is always ready for service, and that is so organized and officered as to be not only constantly efficient for action by itself, but also in the best condition to leaven the great force of volunteers on which we must chiefly rely in war so long as we happily find it needless to support a large standing army.