The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-06-26
From the Baltimore Republican.
MR.. PRESTON AND STAD1 NG ARM


From the Baltimore Republican.
MR.. PRESTON AND STAD1N NG ARMY.
An honest and sensible man of the opposi-
ton, well remarked the other day, that the
Patriot was making great deal Of silly fuss
about Mr.. Ponsetfs plan for organizing the
Nilitia;-he thought there were hundred 9TH
er matters, that might be used against Mr.. Van
Buren, If silly fuss were the only thing
made out of the matter, it would be very
harmless and suitable employment for the Pa
trot, but, more unblushing lalsehood have
been sent forth on this subject in that venal
sheet, that on any other of its prolific hobbies
of prohigate attack: In that paper of ThursS
day, whole column is occupied with notice
Of Mr.. Preston's remarks on the resolution to
print the report of the Militia COMMITTEES on the
Secretary's report. We shall devote word
of two to some OF its assertions.
In the commencement the writer levels an
attack at the Richmond Enquirer, charging that
Notwithstanding its promises it refuses to pub>
lish the Secretary's plan. This is untrue. The
Enquirer has given it word for word from the
Congressional document
II is untrue, that the President ever made
distinct, specific, unequivocaI endorsement g.
urging Of this scheme. To carry out the same
false impressions, Mr.. Cambe found it necces.
'ary to make garbled quotation from the Mes
cage. As a portion of the usually appended
documents to that State paper, the President
merely recomends it to the consideration of
Congress. Mr.. Campbell omits the word, con
sderaton, and thus the falsity is set aAoat, that
the President specifically and uneduivocally re-
commended and endorsed the project.-This is
Of the true character of Whlgism.
In the very teeth ofruth, it is charged against
the plan, among other things, 1t proposes to OF"
fcer the Militia by officers of the U. States AT
my The 10th section Of the Report distinctly
say: -
The officers of the militia of the sever.
al classes shall be appointed by and in sucl
manner as the Legislature Of the respective
States shall direct, aud in the Territories of tht
United States, in such manner as is prescribed
by existing laws
Indeed no other mode Of appointment coult
have been recommended, without supposlng
that Mr.. Poinsett was ignorant of that article
of the Constitution which says that
Congress shall have power to provide for or
ganizng, arming and disciplinlng the militia
and for governing such part Of them as may b'
employed in the service Of the United States
reserving to the States respectively the appoint
ment OF officers, aud authority Of training tht
militia according to discipline prescribed BY
Congress-
Again, Mr.. Preston is reported to have char
ed this project with violation Of the constitu
iioh directly, tn three points. 1T assumes th'
right to train the militia, which is expressly re
served by the Constitution, to the States. !
places the militia under the command Of officer
appointed by the President. 1t gives to tn
President the right to call Gut the militia for o
ther purposes than are specified Now, th'
provisions of the Constitution in reference Il
these points are in the article just quoted. Th
powers delegated to the General Governmsn
specifically includes the organizing and dscip
lining the militia; and this is all the object pro
posed by Mr.. Puinselt. The second assumed
violation can 40 where be found-.lfthe charg
where really made by Mr.. Preston, it must hav
been done knowingly in the face ofthe 10Th So
ton Of the project already included in what W
have said, and this does not place the militI
under the command of officers appointed by til
President As to the third point, the Constt
ton provides 'for calling forth the militia to ex
ecutc the laws Of the Union &c. In the uni
versally understood application of the words
calling out in the connection hero referred IA
the plan PROPOSES nothing more than the 'ca!l
ing fourth specially provided for by the Con
stitution. The 18th and 10Th sections of tn
project, can be tortured by ingenuity into a vic
iation ST the CONSTITUTION, and we defy any on
TO point US to any otkst calling out proposed b
Abe Secretary. )!
Were we disposed, we nigh, here motto
the artfil caution with which the writer, b
big words and blustsT. attempts to cover re
treat for Harrison and plan for q standin
army, from the developments made in the repo
of the committee. We could find in this an
his speech against the reduction of the old ar
my of John Adams. admirable arguments I
show with how much honesty and consistenc
Mr.. Preston and the whole Wing party are a
tempting to raise an oucry against Mr.. Poinset
plan, while al the same time, they are eulogi1
ing Harrison and moving Heaven and earth
the cause of one of the Oldest most open an
thorough advocates of standing army, to /
found in tho whole country. We might sper
some time in such an exhibition of Whigisn
did we not believe that tho Eumbug had alreac
exploded, and will be harped upon only un
some new deception can be started to gull Il
ignorant.
GERRIT SMITH. = In the last number
1Iberator is long letter from GerrIt Smith, Us
ol Peterboro, containing statement OF !
views, which, if we understand him cOrreCt
are now adverse to any general organization