Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/392

 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Tkursday MADISON lugust $ ing, arming, disciplining & governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the U. $., reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the officers, and all authority over the Militia not herein given to the General Government" On the question to postpone in favor of this proposition: {it passed in the Negative) N.H. no. Mss--no. Ct no. N.J. ay. P. no. Del. no. Maryd ay. Va. no. N. C. no. S.C. no. Geo. ay. [Ayes- 3; noes -- 8.] Mr. El,worth & Mr. Sherman moved to postpone the 2d. clause in favor of the following "To establish an uniformity of arms, exercise & organiza- tion for the Militia, and to provide for the Government of them when called into the service of the U. States" The object of this proposition was to refer the plan for the Militia to the General Govt. but leave the execution of it to the State Govts. Mr Langdon said lie could not understand the jealousy expressed by some Gentleman. The General & State Govts. were not enemies to each other, but different institutions for the good of the people of America. As one of the people he could say, the National Govt. is mine, the State Govt is mine-- In transferring power from one to the other--I only take out of my left hand what it cannot so well use, and put it into my right hand where it can be better used. Mr. Gerry thought it was rather taking out of the right hand & putting it into the left. Will any man say that liberty will be as safe in the hands of eighty or a hundred men taken from the whole continent, as in the hands of two or three hundred taken from a single State? Mr. Dayton was against so absolute a uniformity. In some States there ought to be a greater proportion of cavalry than in others. In some places rifles would be most proper, in others muskets &c-- Genl Pinkhey preferred the clause reported by the Commit- tee, extending the meaning of it to the case of fines &c-- Mr. Madison. The primary object is to secure an effectual discipline of the Militia. This will no more be done if left

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