The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-29
COMMUNICATIONS.
BAREFAcED DECEPTION.

MR. VAN BUREN'S STANDING ARMY.
The reader has doubtless witnessed, with no
less surprise than indignation, the disreputable
and mean attempt now making in the Senate OF
the United States, by the Van Buren, Senators, to
mislead and deceive the American people, with
respect to the character of the Report made by
Mr. Poinsett, Secretary Of War, and the bill re-
ported in conformity thereto, to create a standing
army, under the disguise of an organized militia
force.
1t should be borne in mind, that no Van Buren,
journal throughout the country has, as yet, pub
lished that report, with the exception of the Rich
mond Enquirer, and that it did not appear in its
columns, until the editor was dared and goaded
to do so often, that it would have been cey-
ardice in him to have longer refused
Finding that the arbitrary and unconstitution-
al stretch of power attempted by the president
and his secretary, in that report had alarmed the
fears of the country, the friends of Mr. Van Blu
rem in the Senate, with view OF embarrassing
The enormity of this attempt upon the rights of
the people, and the letter and spirit of the con-
stitution, have stopped to the mean office Of be-
coming the apologlsts of the Secretary and the
President. But even in the performance of this
mean office, they have acquitted themselves so as
to add insult to the peoples understanding In
stead of accompanying their own report by that
of Mr. POinsett, they excluded that of the latter
and drag from the almost forgotten records of the
the Secretary OF War under Gen. Washington,
soon after the conclusion of the Revolutionary
war, and the other made by Gen. Harrison, Just
after the last war with England. The first of
these reports was made half century ago, when
the ineificiency of the militia, during our rcyolu
tionary struggle, was fresh in the minds OF the
actors in that glorious contests; and the last
tWcnty-thrce years ago. Whatever NAV have
been the fitness of these two reports to the re-
spective periods to which they were to be applied
the altered circumstances of the times preclude
any analogy being drawn in favor of the high
handed plan Of Mr.. Van Buren,, and his Secreta-
ny Mr. Poinsett, at this day.
Upon the plan of Gen Know | shall make no
remark, but prefer to let it rest in oblivion; but
OF that OF Gen. Harrison, will observe, that it
contemplated no action the part of Congress
to carry it into effect, until the constitutional
consent of the State governments were first had
and obtained. II sought the sanction of the peo-
pie, the only source OF power, competent to give
it validity. In thus appealing to the general
voice, the gallant old 1'ippecanoe showed his
republican veneration, his respect for, and defer
ence to public sentiment.
If the Van Buren, members Of the Senate were
not afraid to let the people see and Judge for
themselves, of the character of this despotic Re-
port, why did they refuse to let it be published
with their excusatory report? If they had not
been afraid to trust the people, would they have
rejected the proposition of the Wing Senators to
include Mr. Poinsetes report9 Ccaainlynot
Win the people tolerate this nnblushing at
tempt to hoodwink, deceive and cheat thems l
think not.
The publishing of the Report of the Senate, is
by way Of an appeal to the peoples judgments.
not upon the reports of Gen. Knox and Harrison;
but upon that of Mr.. Van Buren, and MIR. Poin-
sett.
The majority Of the Senate, ask the people to
excuse these latter gentlemen for the odious doe
trines, and ant-constitutional principles Of their
report and refuse to let them see the report that