Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-08-18

cation Of the militia, which they term the Standing
Army of two hundred thousand men. Prejudice has
blinded many good men, and | believe there are many
patriots who have suffered themselves to become preJu-
diced by designing politicians, who have no support,
and some no common interest with tue bone and slnew
of the country. / have now before me q copy, said to
be the plan of MIR. PoInsett, the Secretary OF War, with
that portion Of the message of the President relative TO
the same, containing the organization OF the militia,
which is headed the plan Of the " Standing Army of
100000 men, THIS was gotten up or headed by SIX
or eight Wings from different States. | read it over,
and Likewise a letter from George NJ. Kerm, Chairman
of the Committee in Congress, asking of the Secretary
certain explanations Of the plan proposed. | also read
Mr.. Poinsett's reply to Mr.. Keim, which are al! contain
ed in the same pamphlet, and must say to you that |
believe no man on earth could have endeavored to have
acted with more devotion for the general good Of hs
country than Mr.. PoInsett. Read the latter clause Of
his letter: "If on mature deliberation there be any thing
found in the system itself, or in its details, which con-
tlcts with the rights Of The States, or with the interests
Of our frllow-citizens, the objectionable parts may be
amended or e%Spunged, or the whole system altered or
abandoned. have heard il stated by some Wings for
whom | entertain a high opinion, and who appear 10
think they know what they were saying 70 be facts, that
should Mr. Poinsett's plan become Il law, that the Pres'-
dent could call the militia from Virginia 10 Delaware TO
tram them, but If those gentlemen will read Mr. Pom
sets letter, they Will find in his explanation to Mr..
keIm, that the President will not have the power 10
take any man from hs respective State unles, there
should he an INVASION or an insurrection in the country,
which would be no more power than the President now
has. Have we forgotten when the Capitol was burn
ed Were not the militia called there; and had they
been trained BY the plan proposed by Mr.. Poinsett,
they might have rendered much more service with less
danger to themselves than they did at that memorable
event. Again, on the subject of Abolition We find Mr..
Van Buren, has been asked by some of our fellow-c'tI-
gems his opinion in relation thereto, and he has taken
time 10 answer them To their satisfaction. Now, Sirs,
do we of the South claim him ms a Southern man; No:
bnt We believe him TO De a true patriot to his country,
both North and South, East and West, and capable of
filling the high station he now occupies, and hope he
may be reelected, and when he takes his cave of the
Presidential Char, that he'may leave with honor 10 his
country and himself What shall we say for those true
patriots Of the North VINO have fought the political bat
tie for the present Administrations will answer for
myself. We should 1--we as a band Of brothers of one
great family; and should the Wings have strayed from
the true path that shall be for the general good Of this
happy country, let US invite them to return and help
US guard against those who may feel no interest but for
themselves, though their interest dissolve the Union.
Yours respectfully,
JOHN d. BROWNING.
Further-Mcssrs. A.. Ncff, John Weller, VIM. Jones,
Coo S,tes Christian Wine. and Christian Movers.