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THOMAS COOPER. 807

France—neither of these can, with any propriety, be called
a standing army. In fact, we cannot have a standing army
in this country, the Constitution having expressly declared
that no appropriation shal! be made for the support on an
army longer than two years. Therefore, as Congress may
appropriate money for the support of the army annually, and
are obliged to do it only for two years, there can be no stand-
ing army in this country until the Constitution is first de-
atroyed.

There is ne subject on which the people of America feel
more alarm, than the establishment of a standing army,
Once persuade them that the government is attempting to
promote such a measure, and you destroy their confidenca in
the government. Therefore, to say, that under the auspices
of the President, we were saddled with 4 standing army, was
direetly calculated to bring him into contempt with the peo-
ple, and excite their hatred against him.

It is too much to press this point on the traverser. But he
deserves it, This publication is evidently intended to mis
lead the ignorant, and inflame their minds against the Presi-
dent, and to influence their votes on the next election.

The traverser says, he has proved that the President has
advocated a standing army—how has he proved itt There is
no standing army; I have before stated, the army is only
raised for five years, and during the existing differences—he
tells you, Mr. Adams is a friend to the establishment of a
navy; I wonder who is not a friend to a navy which is to
protect the commerce and power of this country.

The traverser has, to prove these points, read to you many
extracts from the addresses and answers to the President.
He hes selected a number of passages, which, he asserta, prove
the approbation of the President to the creation of a navy,
and forming a standing army. But we are to recollect gen-
tlemen, that when in consequence of the unjust proceedings
of France, the great mass of the people thought proper to
address the President, expressing in those addresses, senti-

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