The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-29
Fron, be Richn.ond W-hig.


HThe humbug of the Standing Army, and the
details of the Militia Bill, have particularly ope-
rated upon us with tremendous force. The
details Of the bill, and the insidious use which
has been made of them, have contributed, more
than any other cause, to snatch brilliant vic
tory from our hands. But the day of deluslon is
rapidly passing away. The time is coming,
when it will be shown, upon the highest autho-
rity, that the President has not sanctioned the
Secretary's bill. The details of the measure
were called for by a resolution of the House
addressed directly to MIR. Poinsett, and the an
swer was sent directly by him to the House.
Such has been the uniform practice of the Go
vernmeft Il. similar cases. The Secretary makes
the Report, and ne alone is responsible for its
propositions" -[ i23itchte'S Preface to his Book
against Gen Harrison.1
What fall is here, my countryme,H' what
change since the days of the Hero of two wars
and forty broils Then, the doctrine was, tat
the President was alone responsible for the acts
of his Cabinet Ministers. He was the only mem
Der of the Executive Department known to the
People-his Cabinet were his mere creatures and
hirelings, and he was answerable to the country
for whatever they said or did He did assume
this responsibility, and made it the justification
of many high-handed measure. He and his men
eontended that the opposite doctrine the one
recognized and practiced in the monarchies of
Europe. There, the Kings were not amenable
L
acted, were. The eeOld Hero" prided himself in
acting in opposition to this principle of European
despotisms, He assumed the responsibility. But
now his puny successor takes the opposite tack
he sltulks from all responsibility. His
ture, who holds office but at his beck and nod,
has PREPARED plan, the President recommends
it--but when the People discover it to be Fede-
raj and monarchical, and threaten to eject him
from ofiice-O! he never saw it, and certainly
never approved tits all the work of my Sc
cretary-I wash my hands of it. This is the as
pect in which the Editor of the Enquirer would
present his friend and patron, MIR. Van Buren,
bastard and a hypocryte--a compromiser of his
friend to subserve his own interests.
If MIR. Van Buren, skall be mean-spirited enough
to occupy the position assigned to him by his adj
vocate, or if the Secretary of War shall consent
to be made scape-goat Of to screen his master,
at the expense of truth, unluckily for both, the
selfish meanness of the one, and the trucking
subserviency of the other, will avail neither OF
them any thing before an enlightened public The
past cannot be recalled; the records of the coun-
try cannot be obliterated 1t is written, and can
not be denied, that the Secretary, in his annual
report in December last, gave the outlines of his
military scheme, and added:
FfThe details had better be left subject to regu-
lation-a PLAN of which I am PREPARED to sub
NIT to you.n
We ask especial attention to the phraseology.
He was then prepared with his plan, which plan,
upon call Of the House, he afterwards Submit
ted to Congress in the shape of a bill. But this
PLAN, which was at that time prepared, and
which was laid before Congress three months
afterwards, was thus endorsed by the President
in his annual message:
eeThe present condition of the defences of our
principal seaports and navy yards, as represented
by the accompanying report of the Secretary of
War, calls for the early and serious attention of
Congress; and, as connected with this subject, |
cannot recommend too strongly to your consider
alton the PLAN submitted by that officer for the
organization of the militia of the United States"
Can any man doubt but that the President de-
signed to be understood approving, and actu-
ally did approve of the PLAN, which was the bill,
and which was then PREPARED?
The effort of the President and his friends to
shuttle off the responsibility, under such circum-
stances, for every man whom it may impose upon,
will, by its mingled falsity and cowardice, dis
gusttwenty others. We may continueto respect
bold, frank man, when in error, and even for
give his errors; but when he seeks to screen him
self by cowardice and falsehood, the original Of
fence becomes aggravated, and he deserves only
scor1 and detnefafion