Is a standing army in a free country dangerous?

OCR: 7 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country could be dangerous, as it may lead to an uncontrolled military power that undermines civil authority and risks descent into despotism. [1]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that the presence of an armed military force was unnecessary for protecting movable property, as it was already safeguarded by civilian fire societies through long and approved custom. He also implied that military discipline could be irrelevant or even provocative in such contexts, suggesting a potential danger in relying on military power for civilian matters. "we are happily free from any necessity of an armed force for that purpose, and the exactest military discipline can be of no service in supplying or working an engine." [2]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army is dangerous to civil liberties in a free country, as he argued that colonists, as Englishmen and British subjects, have an aversion to such armies because they are seen as threats to their freedoms. "As Englishmen, as well as British subjects, they have an aversion to an unnecessary standing army, which they look upon as dangerous to their civil liberties" [3]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army is an army raised and kept within the community to defend it against sudden attacks. He argues that the community itself should be the judge of when it is in danger, as they are the ones for whose safety and at whose expense the army is maintained. (key quote above) [4]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country is dangerous, as it can be used to awe the civil authority and subdue the people to schemes of arbitrary and despotic power. (key quote above) [5]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that maintaining a standing army in a free country during peacetime is dangerous and improper. He argued that such forces should be supported only by voluntary grants from the Commons, not by the executive acting alone. "the very nature of a free constitution, requires that those fleets and those armies should be supported only by the aids voluntarily granted by the Commons." [6]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country could be dangerous, particularly if it is raised and kept without the people's voice and if the crown has unchecked prerogative to use it. He expressed concern that in future reigns, a powerful minister might misuse the army to threaten liberties. "The time may come, in some future reign, when a favourite minister may gain such an ascendency over his master, as to have it in his power to trifle with the royal prerogative ; at least to dispose of the army in America as he pleases" [7]
• BELIEF (1770-11-06): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country is dangerous, as it can trample upon the laws of the land and lead to military tyranny without restraint. He cited the presence of British troops in Boston during peace as an example of such danger. "And yet the subjects of the same Prince in America who are entitled to the same freedom, are compelled to submit to as great a military power as administration shall please to order to be posted among them in a time of profound peace, without the consent of their assemblies! And this military power is allowed to trample upon the laws of the land, the common security, without restraint!" [8]
• BELIEF (1770-12-10): Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country is dangerous. He argues that the presence of a standing army among a free people can lead to fatal consequences, as he had previously warned. "how fatal are the effects, the danger of which I long ago mention'd, of posting a standing army among a free people!" [9]
• BELIEF (undated): Samuel Adams believed that introducing and quartering standing armies in a free country in times of peace without the consent of the people is a violation of their rights as freemen and of the Charter or Compact made between the King of Great Britain and the Colonists. "Introducing and quartering standing Armies in a free Country in times of peace without the consent of the people either by themselves or by their Representatives, is, and always has been deemed a violation of their rights as freemen;" [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2], [3], [8].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Samuel Adams believed that a standing army in a free country could lead to uncontrolled military power, undermining civil authority and risking descent into despotism [1].

2. He argued that the presence of a standing army in a free country could trample upon the laws of the land and lead to military tyranny without restraint, citing the example of British troops in Boston during peacetime [8].

3. He expressed concern that a standing army could be used to awe the civil authority and subdue the people to schemes of arbitrary and despotic power [5].

4. Samuel Adams believed that maintaining a standing army in a free country during peacetime is dangerous and improper, as such forces should be supported only by voluntary grants from the Commons, not by the executive acting alone [6].

5. He warned that in future reigns, a powerful minister might misuse the army to threaten liberties, particularly if it is raised and kept without the people's voice [7].

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Samuel Adams directly addressed the question of whether a standing army in a free country is dangerous. He consistently argued that such armies pose a threat to civil liberties, can lead to tyranny, and should be avoided unless necessary and under strict civilian control.

Extrapolation: Samuel Adams would likely argue that a standing army in a free country is dangerous because it can undermine civil authority, lead to tyranny, and threaten the liberties of the people. He would emphasize the importance of civilian control over military forces and the dangers of allowing the military to operate without the consent of the people.

Competing readings: None of the record directly contradicts this extrapolation. The record supports the view that a standing army in a free country is dangerous and should be avoided unless necessary and under strict civilian control.

Confidence: High. The record provides multiple direct statements from Samuel Adams that support the conclusion that a standing army in a free country is dangerous.