Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-05-07
Frs.. a. .lIsrsa4ris Gs.srrs.


THE PROPOSED STANDING ARMY.
The letter OF the Secretary Of War
Transmitting q system for the 70 organiza.
ton OF the Militia, contains such rro,,
absurdities, and such extravagant prrlen.
sions towards consolidation and central.
ism. that I feel bound. through the medi-
um ofyoor paper. 10 present 10 the notice
oftbc American people some OF the most
prominent features Of this audscious at
tempt on tho rights ofthc States and per.
sonal property and liberty Of the nation.
am well assured the Secretary Of War,
must havo acquired his conscriptive no.
tons abroad, and that be forgeis how
very different the personal Of q re-
publican army 10 from that Of monarch.
He proposes 10 divide the militia iato
three classes, .fefipe. Ssdssfavy, and the
4sss-thst every man shall 6nd his own
arms and equipments--that the whole CT.
vii Departments Of the Government. Judi.
eial. Executive. Congressmen. and their
walters and attendants. and Clerks. Gus.
tom House Oficers. Postmasters, Posf or
tesrs. (meaning contradictory and stage
drivers. inspectors Of exports, pilots and
sailors. sbal! be exempted from the opera
ton OF the law. That there shall be an
Adjntant General appointed 10 each State.
who shall distribute all orders from The
Conssander- IN Chief of He SLATE. sup
pose this is new name for our Governor.
That the President OF the United States
be authorized 10 call the acfire class twice
ayear for as many days as he NAV deem
necessary. and during such period they
shall be governed by the rules and arti.
cles OF war for the government Of the ar
my. Thai, IN default OF obedience by
any militiaman. OF the orders Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States. in conformity
to the act requiring he active class to
muster twice year as many days rs the
President may deem necessary, be shall
be fined not exceeding three months pay,
or about $40, IL 4 soldier; and not less
than half 4 months pay, and so in pro.
portion II an officer. And that, il the
orders OF the President, under the 18th
and 10Th paragraphs. are not obeyed, a
forfeiture Of one years pay 10 be levied
on the delinquent and that. in default Of
paying the fnes. the militiaman shall
be imprisoned. BY the sentence OF Court
Martial. for one month, for every ave
dollars OF such fine. That the Marsbals
Of the UnLed States, and their Deputies,
shall collect the fines and pay them 10
the Adjutan. General OF Militia, at Wash.
ington. That the President shall appoint
an Adjutant General OF Militia, with
salary Of $4,000. That the marshals and
their deputies OF the several districts,
shall have he same powers In executing
the laws Of the United States, as sheriffs
and their deputies have by law. I be-
iieye have eUiled out nearly all the mon.
strous prescriptions OF this extraordinary
State paper add hope there are few
men il this land Of freedom, willing 10
subscribe 10 such a system. which in my
view, violates the Constitution in every
word and line. Where does the SecTe.
tary find authority for imprisoning private
citizens for refusing 10 musters Where,
in the Constitution, is he authorized 10
impose excessive fines. Does the Con.
stiiuIion authorize the appointment OF
militia officer, by the President OF The
United States Where is the poor man
10 get good musket, or rife, bayonet
and belt. fints. knapsack, cartridge box,
twenty four cartridges, and sufficient
quantity Of powder, shot, pouch, powder
horn and flask. and money 10 pay his ex-
penses al the rendezvous twice a year, as
many days as the President may deem
necessary (See paragraph H. con-
slider such arequisiiion, especially in time
OF peace. on poor man, as wanion and
wicked, aud without any object or advan-
tage to the county besides IL would be
found impossible 10 make a mao supply
himself with arms, ammunition, and pro-
visions, who was destitute Of the means.
The act would be LEX neminem cogit ad
impOssibilia."
I should suppose The honorable Secre-
taTy had forgotten the ouicry Of the De-
moeFats Of 1913 against John Adams
sian9ing army, unless he only assumes
Democracy ~ q name. But, taking his
gvojst altogether, I cannot conceive that
any man, Federalist or Democrat, since
the formation Of the Constitution. or be.
fore il. would have dared 10 attempt to
impose such despoiie system Of aiiitaEy
Law upon the free citizens Of the United
States, unless q fool or mailman. have
every confidence in the stability OF the
republic, notwithstanding the exiraordi-
nary assumptions Of power, by the last
and present Administrations and, I trust,
Wise, Thompson. Bond, and Bid.
die, will step forward and expose 10 the
nation the miiitary scheme Of Mr.. Poin.
seii in all it's deformiiy. C..
Virginia, April - 1910.
w~
One Of the principal grounds Of our
support Of GEN. HARRfsoS is the fact,
that IL elected be will not only mol follow
out, but will utterly diseogHfeaanes the
odious, tyTannical, and anti republican
doctrine Of prescription for opinions
sake" Under bis administration, IL be