The establishment of a higher grade of sharp-shooter has developed many marksmen of wonderful skill in the use of the rifle for distance up to a thousand yards, and it would now be impossible for a close line of battle to stand up before a skirmish line composed of our qualified marksmen. The lieutenant general expresses great interest in the National Guard of the states, and thinks congress should designate the number of men each state should have, and provide for them arms and camp and garrison equipage, under some wise method of accountability for this property, whenever state governments themselves appropriate substantial sums of money for the support of their respective military systems, in such manner that these sums cannot be affected by party legislation. To transport from beyond the ocean that number of soldiers, with all their munitions of war, their cavalry, artillery, and infantry, even if not molested by us whilst in transit, would demand a large part of the shipping of all Europe. He earnestly invites immediate attention to the defenseless condition of seaboard cities and urgently recommends the early beginning of a general system of seacoast fortifications, to be constructed in accordance with requirements involved by the latest improvements in heavy artillery. Still, it should be remembered destructive explosives are easily made , and that banks, United States Sub-treasuries, public buildings and large mercantile houses can be readily demolished, and the commerce of entire cities destroyed by an infuriated people with means carried with perfect safety to themselves in the pockets of their clothing.
All militarism is but the expression of capitalism embodied in force.
The army, navy and police are the instruments of tyrants to enslave their fellow men. He stands, however, as the chief of that power which maintains by force the existing order of things. What those rights are let enslaved labor answer. What, then, is the use of an army. But best of all, the workingmen are not only learning its use, they are going to use it.