We should have an army so organized and so officered as to…
“We should have an army so organized and so officered as to be capable in time of emergency, in cooperation with the National Militia, and under the provision of a proper national volunteer law, rapidly to expand into a force sufficient to resist all probable invasion from abroad and to furnish a respectable expeditionary force if necessary in the maintenance of our traditional American policy which bears the name of President Monroe.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The U.S. should maintain a well‑organized volunteer army ready to expand quickly for defense and expeditionary needs.
In simple terms: America needs a ready, expandable volunteer army for defense.
Support a flexible national militia.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- war emergencies
- disaster response
- foreign interventions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of a volunteer‑only force?
- How can readiness be ensured without a large standing army?
Balancing a standing army with volunteer forces is complex.