Page:An Oration Delivered April 2d, 1771.djvu/9

10 By this scandalous bill a justice of peace is empowered to grant, without a previous oath from the military officer, a warrant to break open any (freeman’s) house, upon pretence of searching for deserters.

I must not omit to mention one more bad tendency: 'tis this,—a standing force leads to a total neglect of militias, or tends greatly to discourage them.

You see the danger of a standing army to the cause of freedom. If the British Parliament consents from year to year to be exposed, it doubtless has good reasons. But when did our assembly pass an act to hazard all the property, the liberty and lives of their constituents? What check have we upon a British Army? Can we disband it? Can we stop it’sits [sic] pay?

Our own assemblies in America can raise an army; and our Monarch, George the 3d. by our constitution takes immediate command. This army can consent to leave their native provinces. Will the royal chief commander send