Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-01
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POLITICAL.
( From the Term yton YGiley STAR
MIR. CRAIG'S LETTER.
w .SHfScroS Marc II

Dear Sir-I nm quite surprised to find that, in the
country the late recommendation OF the secretary OF
War; of plan for organizing the militia, should nave
been marnifcd into recommendation OF a standing
ARMY | am not surprised indeed, that the RePnbN-
can portion, at least, of our people should manifest aus
trust towards proposition TO raise standing army OF
two hundred thousand men; for, no people su!ncieh
intepent to enjoy the blessing of Republican Govern
ment can fail TO discover in large standing armies IN
time of peace, the sure of IFS downfall But
am surprised, that any one should have gwen 10 the
suggestions of the Secretary construction iavoring
the idea of such an establishment. Here, so Tar as
am informed has taken exception to his report
upon that ground In truth, never heard 1t h'nted
that a standing army was proposed, until the newspa-
pers in the country brought the information to the me-
tropos that the allegation gravely made against
the President and his Secretary OF War, that they had
recommended the establishment OF an enormous STAND
ine army There must be some wiser ones IN the
country than are to be found hcreabouts. They have
detected in the Repor, Of the Secretary OF War,
meanino and purpose Of which, l am sure, he never
dreamed. There is man in Inns country, at TINS
dav who values his reputation citizen, that dare
recommend the establishment of 4 standing army III
time of peace beyond what may be obviously neces-
sary to keep look out on our Indian frontiers, anu TO
Guard our arsenals, magazines &c No, Sir the warn-
est FederaSt that mounted the black cockade IN
support of the elder Adams in his attempt 10 introduce
the English form of Government into this country,
dare not do it. He would prefer rather, in the exist
ing state of public sentiment, to pass for Dem0crat'c
Uhig than incur the tauns which he would so well de-
serve and which he would surely get, were he TO
disclose such opinion
This "STANDlNG ARMY you may rely upon II,
is bugbear; and those have conJurcd It up eX-
pect to turn to GOOD account in the pending canvass
between Mr.. Van Buren, and General HARRISON, though
they do not believe in IT themselves. There are thoSc
who think Of the American people as lazltt, the au-
thor of the life Of Napoleon Bonaparte expresses HIM.
self concerning the English people, shat il is only
necessary raise bugbear before the English lmag'-
nation in order to govern It at will But those VINO
take this to be the character of people are abong
under great mistake. They cannot be frightened by
such bugbear.
They NAV be frightened BY Standing Armies, but
not by an organization of the militia. Nor are they so
ignorant as TO confound the distinction between the
one and the other. They are, you know, thought
full rejecting, cautious people, and when any thing
presented to them under frghiiul name, or suspi-
cops circumstances, they will not stop their enquiries
until they have ACQUIRED full knowledge OF It's true
character and purpolt. Such Will be icir course, |
doubt not in relation to this bugbear o. standing ar
nv AS soon as tley look INTO the subject and come
10 understand il, instead of Standing Army, ;!:"y
viii only find plan proposed By which Standing av-
nv nav in all ordinary times be dispensed with They
Will find that Alr. Poinsett intends only TO suggest
such an organization, and such mode of training and
discipning the lItIa as that the nation may look TO
that harmless body of citizens with full confidence IN
its capacity to repe invasion suppress instruction
What said our patriotic republican ancestors on this
subject In the Bill Of Rights which they put FORTH
IN ITO in our own State, this declaration i made:--
sThat a areH regulated militia, composed 81 the body
of the people, rdiDcd 10 arms, is the proper, nai"Taf
and SAFE offence ca free State that SGnding crtir$
in time of peace. ..oud be avoided, dangerous 20
liberty and that in all eases, the military should 'e
in strict subordnation to, and governed by the civil
"power" Now ask you, sir, If it is in the power OF
human ingenuity To torture Mr. POinsetts language
INTO meaning adverse to the spirit Of this declaration
What does he propose He proposes 10 classify and
regulate the militia and TO train thcEG III the use OF
arms and in the modes of military evolution. And to
prevent the possibility of their becoming dangerously
nected with the military spirit, he las provided IN
mis- plan, that portions of this organized body shall sue
cessvely rise out Of and sink back into, the mass OF
society.
You will remark, too, that he Constitution of the I.
States seems clearly to contc np!ntc that something
should be done to render tc ..,ta an efficient pro
lection TO the nation, win ch has nrvrr yet been done
We all aware of the utter :ncic'ency OF the militia,
present state OF organization, for the national de-
fence, and of the utter nnposSibl,iy, without some
change in its organization OF training them 10 arms
The amrrs ii the Federal Constitution did not intend
that should be They did not intend that tins safe
defence Of Republican people should be "a by.word
oi rcproach They intended that the militia should
be organized, so armed, and SO disciplined as to OBJ
yate the necessity Of regular standing army IN time
o peace Hence the provision III the Constitution, that
Congress shall have power n provide for organizing
armng, and dsciplinng the militia and for govern
6 ing such part of them as may be employed IN the
service OF the T. States rescrvng to the States res
pectively. the appointment Of the officers and the
authority oftraning the militia according to the dis
cpline prescribed by Congress.
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M rh;.h ,ho,, - ,,;nbt No, bc thnrai,, H.,
o,ho .tps hos, n1ht nerorthness nv r;vina drec
,on to,ha Mil, m;nJ lend 10 valuable results Ana
for his he and his endorser (as the President is caed
are 70 he held nm rs advocat;nua STANDING Arny-as
heinz hostile 70 The republic.
Yon NAV rely upsn it. our opponents will find them
selves in bad case i ,hry cannot find some better
Inaeriel out OF which t. make ,cconeering capital
The story is too nsy ir The cretuy OF the weakest
81. ~, vra indeed