Amendment Quote by Alexander Hamilton
![“The militia is a voluntary force not associated or under the control of the States except when called out; [ when called into actual service] a permanent or long standing force would be entirely different in make-up and call.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/258/alexander-hamilton-619_amendment_the-militia-is-a-voluntary-force-not-ass_442356.jpg)
“The militia is a voluntary force not associated or under the control of the States except when called out; [ when called into actual service] a permanent or long standing force would be entirely different in make-up and call.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 25, 1787
The militia should be a citizen army that serves only when summoned, not a standing professional force.
In simple terms: Citizens fight when needed, not as a permanent army.
Key Takeaway
Keep militia as a temporary, volunteer force.
Themes
citizen soldiers
government control
military organization
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- National emergencies
- local defense
- disaster response
- community security
Key Concepts
Republicanism
civil-military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Should citizens be trained regularly for emergencies?
- How to balance readiness with civilian life?
A Different Perspective
A standing army may be more efficient in rapid response but risks centralizing power.
![“This [a state militia system] appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86a/alexander-hamilton-619_2-amendment_this-a-state-militia-system-appears-to-m_756387.jpg)
![“[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd8/alexander-hamilton-619_banner_w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitutio_33383.jpg)
![“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg)
