Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-26
From The National .Aapocate.
THE ARMY

30 large portion of which is to be dis.
banded on the first of May (should there
De no reason to apprehend that the peace
may prove tn be truce only y that army
which has exalted the national character to
level with nations the most military
though 1t was treated with so little ceremo
ny by the last Congress, has deserved
~ excited the public interest 1t is not
merely from sympathy with gallant band
OF Warriors, who have become veterans in
three campaigns, nor from the honor able
-i."puise OF gratitude to their defenders,
thatthe people are inspired with this inter.
est in the fortunes and fate of the army: T,
Is because they believe the fortunes AM, fate
of the republic itself, as we'll as their own
permanent safety, To be inseparabIy con.
cected with che military institutions and
policy of the country
Indeed, the simple fact, that the late enc
my retain forty battalions of regulars in
Canada, province once fostered as the
trophy ofWolfe's and Chatham's glory, as
source and sinew of naval power. and az
" rod held over the United States but
which has now also become military col.
ony, peopled and defended with veteran
troops this fact, to which the American
people cannot shut their eyes, is enough to
arouse their most earnest vigilance, AID
excite their most anxious solici.ude. Cou.
PIE with this the consciousness that the Brit.
ISM still hold Mackinaw, Niagara, and Cas-
,ine--sHaS tney have naval equality on
iake Ontarlo and ports of naval equipment
on Shamplain and Huron-that they have
innumerable ships to transport troops across
the Atlantic, as on the wings of the wind:
and it will be at once perceived how deem a
stake we have in the exercise OF that dis
creton with which the President is invested
by the act of Congress fixing the military
peace establishment.
Inc moment is now rapidly approaching
when the Executive decision will be pro-
nounceu. With diplomatic considerations
by which It may be influenced we neddle
not. lhey are in ADLER hands in the hands
where the constitution has entrusted the dur
y OF maintaining the relations of amty
with foreign nations +; in hands which expe-
perience has proved eminently fitted to
manage and control with providence and
wisdom, our external concerns, But there
are other points of view in which the integ-
rity OF intention, that no man can doubt
VIII influence the decision of government,
may be hghtened or deceived according to
circumstances.
Rumor, with her thousand tongues has al
ready anticipated this decision, or rather
pronounced it for the Executive. But we
have reason to believe that nothing will be
prematurely determined in this important
matter
In the selection of general officers who
are to be retained, task delicate and in
vidious, the public expect, and they have
right to expect, that merit and services
alone, unmixed with local considerations,
will decide. a Retrospective view of past
military services, and prospective view of
future military usefulness, should alone in.
huence the judgment. No provincial par.
tialites--Do personal antipathies, should be
blended in an arrangement, which will con.
firm OF blast the character Of the Amer.
can army. We cannot doubt that the cabi
net, or that officer Of government to whom
the President may confde this important
duty, win be mindful Of the responsibility
and extensive consequences OF the trust
The discharge Of the private soldiers
whose term of service will expire with the
war will nearly or quite diminish the army
to theponerical force contemplated by the
act BOT literal Interpretation OF its terms
would dismiss a great number Of officers,
| equal to those ia any service, who would
| sill be LETT after primary selection. The
army has been once reformed and would
doubtless be improved BY second relorma-