Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-05-28
PRESIDENT VAN sustms sTaaoING Army.
From tAs .isissson Ssais.msn.
Address or John CAMPBELL.

Ne Feopse of has ndfire County.
Fellow eiiizens--ln the remarks had
the honor Of submitting 10 you on YOUR
last courtdey. at the request Of many
old friends and acqusintances, I had not
then an opportunity Of seeing the Bill
which is n this time before Congress, In
relation to the reorganization Of the mi.
li,ia OF the United States. NY remarks
were founded upon the report Of the Sc.
eretary OF War. made to the President of
the United States, at the commencement
oil the present ses.ion OF Congress; AID in
order that might not misre present the
Secretary. or do injustice 10 the Presi.
dent. IN commenting upon the plan he
so strongly recommended. quoted the
Report itself, and read IL precisely az IL
tcas made 10 Congress, and called upon
every man present to read ito take il
home with him-to stviy 10, and 10 form
his ora opnions upon IL, as IL appeared
published before the world. I had read
u over repeatedly, and bad reflected on
!, maiurely, and could make nothing Of il
but the Recommendation Of great Stand
ing Army, in period Of profound peace
Ito be organized out Of the militia. and
Of course to be raised by forcing the young
men OF our country Into the ranks. as
regular soldiers. Here is the plan OF the
army, word for word, as il was recon.
mended TO Congress BY the President
the plan which the President SAYS he
cannot foo kighiy recommend.
at is proposed 10 divide the United Stalel m
ito eight military districts, and TO organize the
militia IN each district, so as TO have body Of
500 men IN ACTIVE SERVICE, and ano-
"iher OF equal number as a reserve.
This would give an armed militia force OF
200, 600 men, so drilled and stationed, as TO be
ready TO take their places in The ranks in de-
Hence Of their country whenever called upon
TO oppose The enemy OF repelthe invader. The
age OF the recruit 10 be from 90 10 81; the whole
term OF service To be 8 years. years in the
"hrst class and in The reserve. One-fourth
! "plrt, 25,0o0 men, 10 leave service every year.
passing al the conclusion OF the FIRST term into
! 1.-THE reserve, and exempted from ordinary mi
'liiia duty altogether Al The end Of The second -
I'm this manner, $4,000 men will be discharged
from ordinary militia duty every year, and
''25,OOO fresh recruits BE received into Tie ser
twice.
According 20 this plan, 49, 800 men
were to be kept in 'sctiye service" in
each district, and yet we are told il was
not to be Standing Armyll!
What Is Standing army but one thai
Is kept ia active seIyicei But how was
this army TO be raised Not by vol
uptary enlistment. The militia were to
De so organized as 10 have body Of lOO.-
600 IN actire serriee; Of course they were
were 70 be drafted and forced into the
ranks.
But we have the law now before US,
as proposed by the President to Congress
II is here in the form Of Bill, and is bow
before me in the official organ OF Go.
yernment. published at Washington. Here
II IS tellow-citlzens. read it for yourselves.
and form your own opinion about il. ]
am vastly decsived If you do not see in
| It a Standing Army, and one too. that
threatens TO fasien upon YOU forever q
military desPotism. II Is proposed first
THAT every man on The militia roll above The
age Of 81 and under IS, shall provide himself,
al has o'cn trpsRss, with good muskel bore Of
eaPseiiy 10 receive lead ball OF eighteen in
The pound, sufficient bayoneI and belt; tRo
spare finisi knapsack; cartridge box, 70 coz
tain al least - cartridges, suited to the bore Of
us musket, and each cartridge 10 contain a
ball and three buekshot, and sufficient quan-
4 'hiy Of powder; or with good rife kuapSack.
shoi-pooch, and powder horn-or mask. win SUI.
'hcieni powder and ball for - charges, aud Two
spare finIs; and hat he shall appear so armed,
'aeeouired and provided, when called OUT for
exercise or into service. And every eitizen so
'enroiied, and pyoriAiag kimsslC with the aTms.
e",' uH.fseH ard aeeoutrsgisHs required as afore-
said, shall hold The same exempted from all
dEbss, drsHessez OF executions or ssies for debt.
or Tor payment Of tsxes."
One million aud half Of men in the
United States. are then, in the FIRST place,
required by this Law TO provide for Them
selves Grms, aHnuHifioa, and aeeoutrs-
1SHfs. at fbsir olOa erptase. The honest
young farmers aud mechanics Of our
eouniFy, many Of whom, we ell know,
are poor. and who are struggling by their
landabIe snd honest exeTiions, 20 main
tain their little families, are required 10
do ell this 81 their own expense, 10 raise
up an imperial army for the President.
whilst The milisia-man, who is worth
thousands and tens Of thousands. is re-.
CURED 10 do no more the rich aud the
poor are taxed equally 10 providing their
arms, ammunition and secoutfements -
This is measure that cones recommend
ed 10 us by our DenOcrsfie President -
Will you believe yo1r own eyes. EEL.
low-ciiiKebs' Here istbe bill before me
10 The Government organ Published 81
Washington. sud the editor highly exiols
the bill, showing that the Administration
are determined 10 have Il passed into q
laT, " they are susisiped BY the people
At The approaching elections.
The editor ssys; after this develop.
meni we hope 70 bear no more q this un
WaTgagied oulcry against a plan 20 emf
nenuy caleuis,ed 10 render efficient the
permanent delences Of The county"
This feature IN The Dill SECURING al he
militia IN The United States 10 contribute
eqosl portions IN providing arms, ammu.
niiion and acooulfemeuts. consider most
ouifsgeously unjvsi bot this you will
hud The least Objectionable part q u,
when you come 10 exsmine 10 other pro.
visions.
From the mass ofthe miliiia thus armed
are 70 Be drafted 100. 900 men. 20 Be