The Rodney telegraph., 1840-06-06
VAN BUREN's STANDING ARMY


The following is extracted from a letter
IF Mr.. Campbell, laie Treasurer of the U.
States:
.'What is the alarming situation of the
people of the UIited States, even at this
moment9 In the period of profound peace
with the whole civilized world, when we see
not speck OF foreign war upon our political
horizon, we have recommendation from
the President of the United States, that the
military of this country shall be organized
into regular standing army of 100000
men-and that another 100000 are to be
held in readiness TO act as reserve to take
the places of the first number, when called
upon at certain periods. For what purpose
is this army wanted? Is it intended for an
armed band to surround the President, TO do
his bidding, to act as his body guard and ''to
be double armed with the bayonet and the
ballot" 10 be used against the lives of our
coUntrymen, or at the elections as the case
may require2 They are TO be a militia, and
of course will have the right Of suffrage -
They are TO he kept in active service, and
of course will be under the immediste orders
of the President. Bat | must beg OF you TO
observe the mode in which this army is TO
be raised. A proposition to raise stand
ing army in this country, of lOO, 900 men, Is
startling enough to any freeman. But the
mode in which this one is to be raised, has
no parallel in the history of this country
The President says :she cannot to highly re-
commend the plan of the Secretary of War"
And the Secretary says, sit is proposed to
divide the United States into eight military
Districts, and TO organize the militia IN each
District, SO as to have body of II, 800 men
in each District in active service-and, an
other of equal number, as reserve. This
would give an armed militia force of 20O, 900
men, so drilled and stationed as to be ready
to take their place in the ranks in defence OF
their country" &c.
;t'This armed band Of militia, you will OBJ
serve, is to be organized into active service
They are not to be enlisted. They arc not
to come or stay as they may choose. they
are to be organized into active service-ot
course they are to be forced into the ranks
as regular soldiers. They must be placed
under the rules and articles of war-they are
to be kept in active service-they are to De
regulars to all intents and purposes! There
has never been such a proposition as ihis
made to the American people, since the
commencement of our struggle for indepen-
Gence. When we were infant cs;,..ones, and
involved IN W.. win the mot powerful ma
lion on the earth, we never had as high
handed a measure proposed to the American
people!! Bonaparte when engaged IN war
with all Europe-when he was sweeping
over and desolating the world in the tempest
Of his wrath, never proposed a more despot-
c measure to the people of France, to raise
soldiers. It is his non-script system, if un-
derstand it, plainly and directly. Now fei-
low-citizens, appeal to your candor-Is Y
not time 10 pause in our career Of party spir
il. ard to look seriously at the situation Of
our country? Are you about to permit par
" spirit to sednce you to sanction such
measure as this2. Are you willing to stand
by. and see the young farmers and mecnanr
les of your country dragged off 10 this sly le'
| in a period of profound peace, TO act as Douy
GUARD 10 the President-to be placed under
the command Of his petty tyrants 70 90 his
bidding--to be. used as instruments g sph'
the blood Of our countrymen, who may Pc
come little refractory under the IRON De-,
potism that is now in preparation Tor tnem'
| appeal to your love Of country--to the love
Won bear your own brothers. Are you pre-
laared to sanction such military Despotisu