The Whigs were reminded that those same soldiers had taken the mace from the table of the House of Commons.

From such evils, it was said, no country could be secure which was cursed with a standing army.

And what were the advantages which could be set off against such evils?
Invasion was the bugbear with which the Court tried to frighten the nation.

But we were not children to be scared by nursery tales.

We were at peace; and, even in time of war, an enemy who should attempt to invade us would probably be intercepted by our fleet, and would assuredly, if he reached our shores, be repelled by our militia.
Some people indeed talked as if a militia could achieve nothing great.
But that base doctrine was refuted by all ancient and all modern history.