The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-11
THE EXECUTIVES SCHEME FOR A
STANDING ARMY.


Mr. PRESTON made a most powerful and elo-
quent speech on this subject yesterday.
Not being able to furnish an adequate sketch
OF the distinguished Senator's remarks, we have
incorporated into the following article some OF
has views and sentiments.
This project was introduced TO Congress and
the Nation, under circumstances which prove,
beyond all reasonable doubt, that il was intended
10 be ALEADiNG MEASURE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
In the first place we have the earnest, the yea
lous, the emphatic recommendation Of Presi-
dent Van Buren,. Next, we have the annual
Report of the Secretary Of War, dwelling on
the project with the interest and the exultaton
which It's novelty, and his notion Of its impor-
lance inspired land promising detailed plan
Then we have the detailed plan itself in letter
from this high functionary. What scheme of
the Administration comes forth under more i'm
posing circumstances A part Of the Presi-
dents message devoted 10 il singly and alone
as most important subject ;-and recommend
ing (let il be remembered) this identical project
OF Standing Army. There was no looseness
OF generality in the language Of the President
Il was distinct, specific, unequivocal endorse
ment and urging Of this scheme. The Secre-
tary makes it prominent part Of his animal
Report He does not even leave il to Congress
to carry out the details But he says he has al
ready plan, cut and dry, which, if called for, he
will submit. This solicited call is made and
the plan is submitted After these things, let
US hear no more of the miserable pretence that
this is not measure of the Administration
Ii might have been expected that the solemn
pledging Of the President himself would have
elected from the Militia Committee plan Of
organization confomabe to the Presidents re-
concentrations, or the reasons inducing them
to take stand against so monstrous project.
But the Committee have done neither. They
have not dared to set forth the plan Of the Exc
cutive-not even an analysis Of it. They de-
vote few pages 10 running parallel and a
contrast between il and other schemes land
that is all the consideration il receives at the
hands Of the Committee. On the other hand,
all they could find TO make handle of by mis-
representation, in General Harrison's reports, is
eagerly seized hold of, and set forth at length.
The Committee say the project Of the Execu-
tive is not neir, and they show US that, under
knox's plan, the militia were to be classified
and disciplined. Yes and they take good care
TO stop at that point. They dare not venture be-
yond it, in their analogy. Because they were
aware that in all the other features-in every
important respectable scheme is entirely ne1r ;
and that the glory Of the originality belongs &c
the present administration. They stopped pre-
cisely at the important point-ihe mode of dis
ciplne-the manner in which the militia are te
be trained.
What is il that has struck the public mind
The proposition of the Secretary and Presiden
to require an active class of 100000 men TO b,
segregated from the mass Of the militia TO di
vide the country into ten sections that each sec
ton shall have ten thousand men ;-recruited; :
TO be put under the command of the Prcsi
dent Of the United States ;-called into tn
service of the United Staes detained thirt,
days under the rules and regulations Of war :
and differed by officers of the United State,
army, under the control Of the President Wei
might the committee stop in their parallel
When before was this tremendous power eve
proposed TO be given to the President? II is {
stretch Of power never arrogated either in Eng
land or France
| The advocates of the Administration pretend
that the scheme, with all the features which
have been noticed, yet does not propose the
creation Of a standing army. II is a standing
army they aim it. The plan embraces all the
requisites of standing army. The men are tc
be recruited for four years they are TO be go
by draft, or as volunteers they have to be go
verned by field officers from the regular army !;
they are to be armed, equipped, fed. and paid by
the United States, and brought into the United
States service. This is TO create a standing
army, and in time of profound peace too;-it is
to be an every day business
This scheme violates the Constitution direct
w. in three points. Itassumes the right TO train
the militia, which is expressly reserved by the
| Constitutions to the States. 1t places the mill
tia under the command Of officers appointed by
the President 1t gives to the President the
richtto call out the militia for other purpo
ses than are specified, The Militia Com
mittee cast censure on General Harrison
because he suggested an amendment to the
Constitution, in order to effect militia plan O
his own. If he is to be rebuked for asking the
Constitutional power, in dutiful spirit from
those who have the right to grant it--from the
peonle of the United States-with what indlg
nant condemnation should they be visited, who
totally u.urp power infinitely more portentou:
aud dangerous than any he ever proposed tc
solicit from the States.
Some Of the Administration papers affect L