The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-21
THE STANDING ARMY OF 100000 MEN
Important Correspondence.

expressing against the policy Of the Government
its indignant condemnation. The letter Of Pre-
sident Van Buren, to certain citizens Of Eliza
beth City county, Virginia, (Which has been
going the rounds Of the Federal Loco Foco
press,) contains the following passage at the
close:
Unfair these administrations are thus shown to
be- this has not been the worst aspect in which
they have been presented. We have been compelled
To see, not, should think without shame and morti-
caton on the part of every ingenious mind whatever
may be his political preferences the names Of respecta
BILE citizens subscribed TO statements that had in my
annual message expressed my appreciation Of plan,
which not only never had been submitted to me- but
not even matured until more than three months
after the message was sent to Congress; and at
tempt to prove the unfounded assumption by the pub
LEGATION of garbled extract from that document with
its true meaning falsifed by the suppression Of ma
teral part Nor was the avowed object of these ex-
traordnay proceedings less remarkable than the acts
themselves, being nothing less than attempt to fix
upon me the design of establishing standing of
two hundred Thousand men, for political and personal
purposes. If had been charged with the design of
establishing among you, at the public expense me-
nagerie oftwo hundred thousand wild beasts il would
not have surprised me more, would It. in my iudg-
ment, have been one jot more preposterous.
am fortunately, gentlemen, not oversenstive to at
tacks OF this character and have, witha an abiding
confidence in the intelligence Of the people, which
renders them proof against all such attempts to de-
| ceiye them If ! understand my own feelings my
CHEF regret IN witnessing such degrading exhibitions
arises from consideration of the opnion which
foreigners who have the same reasons to respect
political institutions that we have are likely to
form OF the character of people when they that
conspicuous men among promise themselves
any advantages from attempts to deIude their fellow
citizens, by means of such monstrous absurdities
This regret is, however, confess materially dimi-
nished by the conviction that the people will in the
que they have heretofore done, convince those
who attempt in this manner to operate upon their
dullty, of the folly Of seeking to accomplish in this
country political objects by such discredtabe means
have the honor to be, gentlemen,
Very respectfully
| Your obedient servant,
M VAN BUREN,
| To Messrs. John b. Cary, A. G Hudgins, Thomas
| Jones, and g. A. Cary Of Elizabeth City county,
| Virginia.
This passage was received with more than
ordinary delight by the train bands of the Exc
cutive. The Editor of the Richmond Enquirer
pronounced it perfectly new and satisfactory
and Rugged himself on the flattering idea that
1.-THE Standing Army Of 100000 men will
scarcely enter the field Of electioneering again"
1t was very generally inferred that the Pre-
sident intended to allude particularly in the re-
marks above quoted, TO pamphlet published in
this city, bearing this caption Plan Of the
Standing Army Of 100000 men, submitted to
Congress by the Secretary Of War, and recon-
mended by the President Of the United States"
which pamphlet contained the following letter
as an introduction
WASHINGTON May &c lS4O
! TO our Feiiop- Citizens.
| We have been informed that the editors of some
newspapers, who advocate the reelection of Mr.. Van
Buren, to the Presidency have refused to publish the
recommendations and project Of the Secretary Of War
for the organization and discipline of the militia of the
United States, with the approval OF the President.
Being also informed that the authenticity of those
portions the message of the President and the reports
Of the Secretary of War submitted to Congress have
been frequently denied, when published in the newspa
pers have, for the purpose of removing all doubts,
procured duly certified copies that portion the
sage and all the reports of the Secretary of War sub
mted at the present session Of Congress- that relate
to the subject, which we present for your considera
i ton.
r. GARLAND, of Louisiana
JNO. BELL Of Tenn. n
M ii. GRINNELL, of N. Y
JNO. M. Bolts, Of Va.
TRUMAN SMITH, of Con
CHARLES NAYLOR, Of Penn
l.. SALTONSTALL, of Mass.
| J. G. CLARK, Of N. "
Messrs. Garland and Clark lost no time in ia
king the proper steps to ascertain whether the
highest officer Of the Government intended to
apply the remarks above mentioned to the publ
cation they and their colleagues on the Commit
tee had put forth. They accordingly addressed
to the President the following letter:
WASHINGTON Cry, Aug. 18TH 1910.
Sin The Globe of the 10th inst has been shewn
to us and our attention directed to portion Of letter
published in It, purporng to be written by you, dated
the 3ls july 1910, addressed to several persons in
Elizabeth City county, Virginia. The part of the
letter to which wish to call your attention is
tanned in the slip now enclosed, cut from the newspa
| per- We submit it to you in this manner, we wish
you to see the letter published.
| We desire to be informed if the language used in
the slip extract from the Globe, is yours and also
to be informed if the pamphlet published in this city
the 26th Of May, IS40 by ourselves and others emit
tied Plan of the Standing Army of 100000 men"
&c, &c, a copy of which enclose, is of the
statements to which you aude
We request reply as soon convenient.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
r. GARLAND,
J. c. CLARK.
Hon MARTIN VAN buren,, Washington.
The President returned the following reply:
GENTLEMEN; have received your note Of the 18th
instant. When my letter of the 3ist of July--an
tract ofwhich you have enclosed to me--was written,
had not the pamphlet to which you have called
my attention, and, of course, could not have alluded
toit.
On examination Of that pamphlet find its cap
ton to be in these words: /" Plan of the Standing Ar
my of 100000 men, submitted to Congress by the
Secretary of War, and recommended by the President
of the United States andn the note of the 9th (26th)
of May last sgnedby yourself and Others you spoke of
the recommendations and projet of the Secretary of
War for the reorganization of the militia of the U
States with the approval ofthe President also find
that the extract from my message of the ID Of Decem