Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-06-25
STANDING ARMY.

A prelude TO the regular debate commen-
eed upon this subject. Mr.. Clay of Ky. and
MIR. Preston, of S. G.. advocated further post
ponement, because certain papers connected
with the subject and ordered to be printed on
Monday, We're not yet laid upon the table
Mr.. Roane and Mr.. Clay Of Ala. opposed
further postponement, and being iii the ma
jorlty, further opposition was deemed useless.
Mr.. Preston in commencing his regular
speech desired 10 remind the Senate Of the
following facts: That The committee on the
militia had presented report last weck-that
without being read at the table it was ordered
to be printed for the use of the Scnate--that
1t was not laid before the Senate until Mon
day last--that in FIVE minutes after the meet
Ing OF the Senate on Monday, motion was
made to print 10000 copies.
20 much for the preliminary facts: and
now, said Mr.. Preston, wish TO remind the
Senate and the country OF another set Of facts.
From the moment that the Report Of the
Secretary Of War was sent outuntil the time
that the Report upon the Report of the Secre-
tary Of War has been laid upon our table, not
single extra copy CT Mr.. Ponsett's docu-
nent had been sent out by the two houses OF
Congress. Again, from that time to the pre-
sent not q single Administration newspaper
has published The Report Of an administration
Secretary Of UGr-not one. The Wings OF
the conntry--the anti-Administration presses
of the countIy-have been called upon to
enlighten the people as to the views of the
Administration. The Administration presses
have kept dark; and neither love nor money
would bring these subjects before the coun-
tsy through the Administration sources Of III
formation. Whatever copies have gone rUr,i
have been sent out by opp sers to the party
In power, and thus opposition members have
n In 10 of st nti
members.
Mr.. Preston said he had been called upon
to send forth these reports. and had obtained
from the usual number Of copies what Re-
ports he could send out. They were but few
Another preliminary fact, 10 which Mr.. Pres
ton begged leave to call the attention Of the
country, was that the Senators here were un-
willing to send forth the report Of the com
rnittee with the report of the Secretary Of
War, although the one purported 70 be a COM
mentary on the other. The committee would
not dare send forth both reports together
Why was this v ould Senators reconcile
this fact with their own consciences +
Would the country be reconciled to it Is il
just that this defence should thus be put forth
by the committee! Did it make the people
fairly acquainted with the Objectionable Re
port of the Secretary Of War!
Mr.. Preston proceeded 10 comment upon
the report, and to examine it in detail. His
object was TO show that The commentary sIur-
red over the text, and not only Starred il over,
but gave no analysis Of it---no proper expo
sition Of it-no comments from which lust
conclusion could be drawn as TO the nature Of
the Report.
First, said Mr.. Preston, the first page and
half Of eleven and half pages Of the re-
poItof the Secretary Of War, is preliminary
but not relating to The report. The next FIVE