Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-06
MONDAY, DECEMBER s, 1918.

party, whose interest as such It to proloDg the
and the war party, means party whose interest," rs
fueh. IS, to obtain an honorable peace Hence these
caealistical terms, really their opposites.
SO the Supporters of tie Administrations, is Of
ten employed to describe persons, many of whose
sures would tend destroy the administration and the
term Support the administration" to describe mea-
snre whose tendency Also is destroy the dnistra
ton Whether fought be placed under the first Of
these denominations in its genuine, original sense will
cepend entirely upon the meaning appropriated TO the
other ~ the term Support the administration"
terpreted to impose irresistible obligation upon all
supporters of the administration in favor of
ry measure. recommended by it, without Consulting
their own judgments in relation the probable good
pad etects OF such measure, upon TIE community, then
have ison several most Important occasions, violated
1lat oosaion; then have grievonsly offended against
Interpretation of the term and Justly subjects
ed myself to the censure belonging contum-
cloas. bu 1t supporting the administration, can consist
with diligently exercising the judgment, and approving
the measures, recommended III wisdom. and rejecting
those believed to be recommended in error. according
20 the honest dictates OF such judgment, then have
on all occasions, supported the administration. Very
ew gentlemen in the United States, have been placed
in situation, to rendert support, than mysef
according to that Interpretation of the and trust
no gentleman has perforated his duty in that respect
with mere fidelity. The particular measures, which
nave given such general circulation the charge
sast me OF an indsposition support the adninstra
ton, and which, the charge was made, were
only the results OF calculation and conjecture have
now passed the test of experiment, and1 beg you fell
10" ciizenS, to accompany in brief recapituation
that the measures advocated, have tended afford
more real efficient support the administration than
those opposed 1t will Certainly appear that the adj
minstraton itself upon the experiment has finally Civ
en- that Course the sanction of its Appreciation When
the President deemed proper to call Congress- for the
purpose CT submitting ITS deliberations the question
OF peace or war with Great Britain aud upon its
ing presented 1t with war,brcathing message, every
rejecting man in the Untrd States kne it high
time to prepare for the event of war Accordingly the
PRESIDENT IN hls message recommended preparation,
Ia tn
CT preparation he deemed the most advisable to be
adopted.
" recommend accordingly that adequate provision be
made Tor hung the and proion6ng the enlistment
regular troops, for auxiliary force he engseed for
more limited terms for the acceptance of Volunteer Corps
"hose patriotic 2rSlor may participation urgent
services; for attachments they may be wante of other
portions OF the mai and for preparation Of the
great body will proportion its usefulness TO It's intrinsic
capacity Nor can the occasion fail remind you
Importance OF those military semnsries, which, in every
event. VIII form valuable and Frugal part of military
establishment"
itwas any fortune at shat time. to be the chair
man q a committee Of The Senate, to whom xas
referred that part ofthe Presidents message which
embraced tins subject. That commiitee with
full, though informal knowledge, of the views of the
administration, well of those of the committee of
e House o Represen atvss, after much oeliberation
finally concluded, thai it was expecent To employ only
TWO descriptions OF additional troops the best
OF preparation Inc one, consist of regulars TO be
enlste Tor long term Of service, and intended princi
pay Tor offensive operations The ether to consist of
the militia III its unaduerated form and intended prn-
cpai tor defensive purE for occupying fortress
-s on either side of the line In obedience to ms rue
tons Tor the committee founded upon this determines
1Vn' reported bill, simply for raising twenty five
Thousand men, 20 be Unlisted for the of five years
without auy preface, resolution, explanation what
ever although lpretcrred the number of thirty thou>
SAND ms bill met with the unexampled fate, of be.
ing opposed by some of those, who generally demo-
minated, the supporters of the administration least
so Tar as related to the reduction of the nubers be-
eyed to be with its appreciation. It. however, survived
k a tItO M
that winch believed the principal reliance of the
administration in the event of war; bin for raising
nifty thousand volunteers serve for year the OBJ
ject of which Understood the immediate
patton OF CaUaea upon the first initiation of the war
MS bill contained provisions, which rendered its
lon IN great portion of the u States absolutely im-
practicable and that circumstance OF itself, would
der Its practicabity in any other portion of them
least questionable. In this very important respe CT
became my misfortune, to differ radically in opinion
with the administration, and h strongly impressed
upon my mind at the time, that this difference related
to proceeding of vital importance the nation. No
less than the cardinal point, oil conducting the upon
the policy IT long short enismehts. That mistake
may take place, respecting my views of the volunteer
bill, refer to the opinions, then expressed upon the
subj sct, which will be found at the eHd of this commu
ncatlon, Ibis bill, however, became law on tue 6ts
dayof February, 1873 On the S0th day Of June the
President laid before Congress the following
III relation to that act:--
70 he Senate and House Of RbsenatiUes erie IT, States.
the Volunteer force contemplated by the passed
sixth day Of February recommend to the consideration of
Congress the expedeucy Of making the requisite provision
for the officers thereof being commissioned by the auhori
~ Of the Uacd States
Considering tn distribution ofthe military forces Of the
United States required by the circumstances of country
recommend also TO the consideration OF Congress the
pedienry Of providing appointment additional
number Of General Officers, and Of Deputies in he Adiu
aRts Quarter Masters Inspectors, and PayMastePs De.
panents OF the Army and for the employment in case OF
emergency, Of additional engineers
JAMES MADISON
June 30ih. 1872"
The committee, TO whom this message was referred,
being myself member, readily consented to render the
ble how exalted, would he tho patriotism Of such seldc
NAL How happy for the nation, would be the union Of
all heads. and of hearts. vigorous prosecution