Quote: If the signers of the Constitution didn't believe in a standing military, they wouldn't have penned the amendment prohibiting the housing of troops in private property without the owner's permission during peace time.
I think we all know that was directly in response to the British housing troops in private homes against the owners wishes. Take the time to read Washington and Jefferson's extensive writings on the subject. While it seems contrary to expectations, Washington was adamant that a peacetime army was a terrible idea. Jefferson and Madison had an extensive written dialogue during the writing of the Constitution on the subject as Jefferson was in France but wanted to have input on a variety of topics, this being one.
I've always found it ironic that it is often the justices that claim to be strict adherents to the Constitution as written often stray the farthest from our forefather's intent.
I guess the proof is in the pudding, the same founding fathers that wrote the Constitution implemented and financed a standing army.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
