The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-21
HE ssstnudinx Army, IHnmsuv.

The attempt of the Wings to make elcciioneer-
ing capital of Mr.. poinsets plan for recognising
the Militia, affords another proof of the despara-
ton of their cause. The idea that the Admin
stration should be charged with the design to es-
tablish a military despotism in the land, because
the Secretary at War agreeably to instructions
presented to Congress plan for the organisations
OF the Militia, is so preposerous that il cannot for
moment be seriously entertained. Yet such a
charge has been gravely put forth, and harped
upon by the Wings for at least the last three
months.
The most imposing attempt we have yet seen
TO "give color to the idea" is an address to the
People of Virginia. by John Campbell, late Trea-
surcr of the United States" This production is
written in the most violent strain of party ran.
cour and with that peculiar regard for truth which
has since characterised the whole wing press while
on the same subject. The real object of the Ad.
dress evidently is, to make the Democratic party
unpopular; but neither the said Mr. Tohn Camp
bell, nor any Wing paper we have yet seen, has
given single reason for believing that that party
or even Van Buren, himselfis in favor of Mr.. Pon-
sets "project." All this, which has not been
and cannot with truth be conceded, is taken for
granted and then the Administration is abused in
no measured terms But few facts will at once
put down the whole Of this new piece of humbug-
gerry, and place the affair in its true light.
That the militia are the only safe and adequate
defence of the nation, political axiom that has
hitherto been held sacred in the United States 1t
is the pride and boast of every American freeman,
that it is his exalted privilege to fight and even to
die for the liberty of his country and that no law
can deprive him Of this right. Hu; in order to
render the militia of the country always efficient,
and to do away entirely with Standing Army, it
is necessary that they should be well organised
and disciplined Actuated by this belief the great
and good Washington, the father of his country,
for the first time called the attention Of Congress
10 the subject and strongly recommended the
adoption of measures for the general organisation
and discipining of the militia. The Distinguish
ed veteran and patriot Gen. Knox, who was then
Secretary at War, drew up plan for that pur-
pose, and submitted it to Congress. This plan
had been prepared under the eye of Washington
and received his entire appreciation The plan
now proposed by Mr.. Poinsett does not differ very
materially from that Of Gen. Knox, and where
any difference does exist, it is on all sdes conced
ed 10 be in favor of Mr.. Poinsett.
In 1892 an act was passed by Congress, en,-
tied IAN Act more cAcctualy to provide for the
national defence by establishing a uniform militia
throughout the United States" which was evil
IDENTIFY suggested By the plan of Gen. Knox, but
differs materially from it. This uct has never been
repealed, though its provisions are now little at
tended to; and from the time Of its passage Gen.
Washington seems to have regarded il as made
quate for the purpose contemplated, Tor in the We
ry next year he agsir urged upon Congress the
importance Of providing more eiectually for dis
ciplining the militia of the U. s. But no law of
any importance has since then been passed on the
SUBJECT, though 1t was repeatedly urged upon Con
gress by Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson.
When the late difficulties with England about
TIE Maine Boundary were at their height, and
war with Great Britain seemed almost inevitable
the totally dcfenceless state Of our whole frontier
4td the known inadequacy Of the present disci-
oiinc among the militia Of the country, induced
40 preSident again to call the attention Of Con-
eress to the subjcct Their deliberations then
went no farther than To request the Secretary at
to submit plan for the organisation Of the
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