The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-21

What more, SIR il necessary 10 establish standn,
army in Republic and in time OF peace
caP'as. Indeed, cannot see that any thing more
would be wanting
me danger ef his Scheme.
Col x, Now suppose i should 50 happen that we
should nave Cesar Cromwell, Or "a Napoleon, for
President and suppose that question ,hould a,;.e
between the national government and one - -.
State governments, similar to thai which a,o.a a.,
years ago between the United States and the Sat g
South Carolina, and il would be very easy COR A.
ambitious President TO get up such quarrel a, anv
time) would not the occasion be seized upon 10 call
out me Thoie Of this 100000 army and would not this
warrior Preslden place himself al It's head and endea
vor to win the confidence and affection Of the soldiers
and attach them 10 himself as Cesar Cromwell and
Napoleon did for the purpose Of usurping the soye-
reignty and establishing thronel
Capias. ] would not trust him None I'M, a wo.b.
ington could resist the temptation placed before him
Hs nneonstitutonqiity.
Col r. But let US examine the cons,io,onal;tv If
this plan.
Ever mindful Of liberties the trainers Of the Can.
stiiution were cautious Of putting power into the
hands OF the President and they therefore only au
thorized him 10 call out the militia :" 10 execute the
laws to suppress instructions, and to repcl inya-
sions," &c., and NOT, is here provided al such
times, and at such piaees, he may think proper
This provision of the plan is unconstitutional The
plan provides that the militia shall be trained by the
authority of the General Government, and by officers
acting under the command Of the President and that
they shall esubect the rules and regulations pre-
scribed by the Presidei. whereas the Constitution
expressly the Sfates respectively the an
pointm<nt ofae g6eers, and the training Of the mill
tia These provisions are therefore unconstitutional
According TO tits plan the President 10 command
this army Of 200 900 men, and every officer non-com-
mssoncd officer &c, who shall fail to obey him is TO
be tried by cour-marial, and punished Now the
Constitution provides that the President shall be
commander-in-chief of the militia, &c, only u6ea
called info actual service Of the United States The
plan is therefore, unconstitutional in this respect
Capias ] do no, think there can be any danger
Colonel, of this plan being adopted By Congress, Tor
the more it is known the more obnoxious il must be 10
the people.
Col. X. At present it is obnoxious to the people
but not more so than the sub Treasury scheme was
when that was first proposed and vel, BY din, Of
perseverance,, the force of party discipline and the
power Of patronage, the President has al length sue
ceeded in carrying that measure through Congress,
and saddling it upon the people against their often
expressed viii. Let the present Administration be
reinsated in power for another term of four years
(Which is not at all likely be the CASE and this
grand scheme of raising standing army Of 100000
men will be forced upon the people, and by ola
plant and obedient Congress- will become the law OF
the land land then with the command of such army,
and the entire possession Of the public Treasury which
he has now got, the President would be clothed with
all the power the absolute monarch Of Europe
and the mere forms of Republic which he might
still permit to enjoy, would be but mockery Of
liberty,
Capias. Your language is strong, Col Richland,
but must admit it is the language of truth con
fess, should this stupendous scheme be adopted and
carried into effect should despair of perpetuating
our liberties indeed, its passage by Congress would
be the deathknell Of freedom in this land We have
in day, army of citizen soldiers headed
by prefsssed fiend of liberty erect in Republican
France an Imperiai Throne upon which it placed its
dolized Republican General" and Citizen Consul
and we may see the same thing again.
Col. R. | am glad to hear you speak thus for am
your opposition to this Of the present
AdministI alton at least,
Capias. Whatever other measures | may support,
shall to the utmost of my ability, oppose this, as
consider it nothing less than clothing the President
with absolute power. We mis- hit well vote him the
crown and sceptre once tender him the oath Of al
egiance and bend the knee like faithful and loyal
subjects. never before examined this scheme, but
since have, | am astonshed