The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-25
THE STANDING ARMY IN TIME OF
PEACE.

THE STANDING ARMY IN TIME Ot
PEACE.
i As far back as 1882 the Editor of the Pilot in
liter addressed to the senior Editor of the Wing
spoke of Benton as the most dangerous man il
this country, and pointed to the organization o
a military..force as the means by which he woult
if he came into power, establish monarchy
viii the Editor of the Wing refer to his file:
and publish so much as relates to this subject
We recollect subsequent conversation in which
he admitted that Benton's views developed them
selves as we had suggested, and his surprise
that we should have SO clearly anticipated
them.
The federal caucus, in their late address, at
tempted to break the force of MIR. Poinsetts pro-
ject for a standing army of 100000 men, and
spoke of standing army as federal measure.
Now hear Mr.. Poinsett's explanation of lbs own
measure endorsed by the President. He re-
ported project submitted by him to Congress,
in which are the following PROVISIONS
10Th Thatwithin---- months afterthe adoption and
establishment of this system, there shan be taken from
the of the militia, in each state Territory, ard
District of the u States, by draft by voluntary
vice, such number between the ages of wenyone and
thiy-seven years, that the whole may not exceed
100000 men, and III the following prOpOrr0ns Tor eacH
State, Territory, and District respectively, toit Maine
400 men, New Hampshire :, 400 VermoHt2, 400 Mas
sachusetSs 5000, Connecticut 500 Rhode Island 500,
New York lS 600, New jersey $500, PENNSYLVANIA TO-,
400, Delaware 500 Maryland 200, Virginia 900, Dis
ct of Columbia 400, North Carolina 4,400 South Caro-
lima 400 Georgia 500. Florida 400 Alabama 1000.
Mississippi 500, Louisiana 500, Tennessee 400, Ar
kansas AGO. Missouri l.200 Iowa 400, Kentucky 1000,
Illinois 200, Indiana $500, Ohio 5000, Michigan 500,
and Wisconsin 400 men. This force to constitute the
second class and be denominated the Gere or moreaHe
force.
18th. That the President of the United States be
thoriZed call forth and assemble such numbers of the
Getire force of the militia, az suci places Within their re-
spectve districts, and such times not exceeding twice.
nor - days i'm the same year, as he may deem ne
cessary; and during such PERIOD including the time when
going TO, and returning from, tire place OF rendezvous
they shall be deemed in the service OF the Utdted states
and be subject to such regulations the President may
think proper adopt for their instruction. discipline and
improvement in military knowledge.
20th That the MALTA of the United States or any por
ton thereof when employed in the service of the u
States shall be subject the rules and articles of
the troops OF the United states And that no Of
fceT, non commissioned oficeE musician, SF private OF
the militia, shall be compelled 10 serve naaTe than SIX
months after his arrival at the place OF rendezvous IN
INV one year. nor more than Undue rotation with every
,ther able bodied of the rank in the regiment
o which he belongs
2Ist That every citizen duly enrolled N the militia
hail be constantly provided with arms, announcements
ma ammunition, already pointed out, from and after
he period when lac shall have been duly notified of hs
enrolment; and any notice 81 warning TO the citzenS
20 enrolled TO attend company, OF regFnenta muster
training which shall be according Ia the laws OF the
which irs given oF that purpcse shall be deeTa
ID legal noticSof his enrolment.
These provisions relate to the Gctice force of
100000 troops, to be7ealied into service at Sic
Presidents will, and made subject to the rales
and articles of war. If the President desires to
lessen the vote in azy section of the states be-
cause he knows tsat popular sentiment ils that
section Is opposed to him, he has only, upon the
eve of an election, to can out his ''.Nationdl
Cua1ytn and order them on distant service |
where they cannot vote, and he changes the po- |
litseal character of the state.
But let Col Benton or even Martin, get So
large force organized, and the passions OF the
soldiery aroused-let the spirit of plumber be in
fused into them, and the leaders who could sti-
mulate the mob TO tear down the bank, would
not want for pretences to keep them under arms,
and thus establish throne. How was it with
Bonaparte How was it with the Roman CO.
horts ? Did not the sword govern Rome And
would not the sword govern us
What has the King of the French done with
his standing army? Does not his national guard
constitute the main pillow of his throne' Would
not this new power be the most dangerous and
powerful influence in the government En-
bodied and associated together, they would lend
themselves to the dema gouge, who would use
them to establish himselfin power at the expense
of the liberties of the country.
! And this standing army of mercenaries, are to
be substituted for the gallant militia, the volun-
teers, who, in the revolution, achieved our indie
pendence, and in the late war preservedit. Who
was it that met the foe at North Point, at New
Orleans, and at the Thames ?
We have denounced the party in power as the
federal party, One proof is their attempts to
raise standing army of 100000 men.