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Federalist no. 29: “Concerning the Militia”
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE:
To the People of the State of New York:
The power of regulating the militia, and of commanding its services in times of insurrection and invasion are natural incidents to the duties of superintending the common defense, and of watching over the internal peace of the Confederacy.
It requires no skill in the science of war to discern that uniformity in the organization and discipline of the militia would be attended with the most beneficial effects, whenever they were called into service for the public defense. It would enable them to discharge the duties of the camp and of the field with mutual intelligence and concert an advantage of peculiar moment in the operations of an army; and it would fit them much sooner to acquire the degree of proficiency in military functions which would be essential to their usefulness. This desirable uniformity can only be accomplished by confiding the regulation of the militia to the direction of the national authority. It is, therefore, with the most evident propriety, that the plan of the convention proposes to empower the Union “to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, RESERVING TO THE STATES RESPECTIVELY THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OFFICERS, AND THE AUTHORITY OF TRAINING THE MILITIA ACCORDING TO THE DISCIPLINE PRESCRIBED BY CONGRESS.”
—Alexander Hamilton, Daily Advertiser, Thursday, January 10, 1788
MODERN LANGUAGE
To the People of New York State:
The power of the government to regulate and use the militia during uprisings and invasions is a normal function of governing. It is necessary for the common defense of the nation and to maintain peace within the country.
Having a militia that is organized and disciplined in the same way is a benefit to public defense. Militia members will share an understanding of their duties and carry them out in the same way. This will give them an advantage when called into service. The quicker this is done, the better. This can only be accomplished if the regulation of the militia is under the control of the national government. The states will have the responsibility of appointing the militia officers. They will also train the militia members according to congressional regulations.