The Standing Army is to the nation what the sword was to the modern gentleman, the stiletto to the Italian, the knife to the Spaniard, the pistol to our slave-master,--furnishing, like these, the means of death; and its possessor is not slow to use it.
Sumner critiques the dangers of a standing army by comparing it to various weapons associated with violence and oppression.
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Controlled by such a code, employing such representatives, sustained by such agencies, animated by such Furies, and producing such fruits of tears and bitterness, it must be open to question.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Rather would I arouse you to renewed and incessant exertion.
It applies an arrogant and unrelenting ostracism to all who express themselves against Slavery.
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