The Importance of Standing Armies

Small states of less natural strength, under vigorous governments and with the assistance of disciplined armies, have often triumphed over large states or states of greater natural strength which have been destitute of these advantages. The weaker states or confederacies would first have recourse to them to put themselves upon an equality with their more potent neighbors. They would endeavor to supply the inferiority of population and resources by a more regular and effective system of defense, by disciplined troops, and by fortifications. It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority. We should, in a little time, see established in every part of this country the same engines of despotism