Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-10-08
The Standing Army.
To the Editor of the Lincoln Telegraph:


One of the most anti Republican features of
the present administration, is the p,oject for a
Standing Army. Its object is undoubtedly to
strenthen the hands of the Executive, and as
such, is, to the American people an object of obi
um and hatred. 1t is carrying themback to the
policy of John Adams which they (the people)
have unqualifedly condemned No wonder
then, that Mr.. Van Buren,, when he matter is
thus viewed, on the eve of an election desires to
wash his hands of it. But it is to late now.
He has once endorsed the policy of The measure,
and all the ingenuity of the Fo3y gentleman
cannot remove that Endorsement. He however
denies this, and upon what grou,d Why, he
says he approved of the plan so faras it was de-
lineated by Mr.. Poinset in his annual Report, but
he never approved of it in detail. Surely he
displays, here talent at craft and quibbling that
would do honor to a third rate country Court
Lawyer. What is the objection t. Mr.. Poinsett's
plan? It's unconsttutionality i, calling the
Militia into the service of the Cnited States.
What did Mr. Poinsett recommend il his annual
Report? That Congress imp rove the Condition of
the Militia, by taking the matter in its own hands,
and calling the Militia into the serrice of the
United States This is what Mr.. Van Buren,
approved when he said to Congress, 81 cannot too
strongly recommend to your consideration the
plan of Mr.. Poinsett for the organization of the
Militia" And this is what is objected to. il is
not ssthe detail which ofends the people, but the
main feature of the plan, which is the calling the
Militia into the service of the country. 1t is Of
fensive because it is unconstitutional. Congress
has power to call the Militia into the service Of
the country only "to execute the Laws OF the
Union, suppress instructions and repel inva-
sions.'' No power is given over the Militia IN
time of peace or in any contingencies except
those mentioned. The unconstitutonality of the
plan was therefore apparent, as it was developed
by Mr.. Poinsett in his annual Report The fol-
lowing is short extract from the Report. Vi
his plan he says :-'.It is proposed to devide the
United States into eight Military districts, SO as
to have body of twelve thousand five hundred
men in active service, and another OF equal num-
Der as a reserve. This would give an armed
militia force of two hundred thousand men, SO
drilled and Stationed to be ready to take their
places in the ranks in defence OF the country,
whenever called upon to oppose the enemy OF
repel the invader. The age of the recruit to be
from twenty ONE to thirty seven. The whole
term of service to be eight years. four years IN
the first class and four years in the reserve One
fourth part, twenty five thousand men to leave
The service every year, passing at the conclusion
of the first term, into the reserve and exempted
from ordinary Militia duty altogether at the end
of the second" Two hundred Thousand men to
be called into the service of the country in time Of
profound peace And this too, recommended by
professediy Democratic President Does it not
SAVIOR somewhat of monarchy What true Re-
publican, what true Democrat, would desire such
an army at his heels Fellow citizens, before you
give your votes for Martin Van Buren,, who ex
hibits such graspng desire for power, who has
the purse put into his hands by suppl'ant Con-
gress,and asks now fol the SWORD, reflect upon the
character and the measures of the man.
G,