Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-15

nj commission he is required TO act these circunsan-
ccs will ocner be found in service, than i'm any
Our regular troops and militia must frequently act togo
Their When thus cooperating, tho officers OF the regular
army take rank of all militia officers of the same grade
whatever be the OF their respective commissions
This rule is highly beneficial to the public interest, be-
cause, without creating nvdious distinctions il gives
exporiencc its proper weight BY granting brevet COM
missions after years service in grade, agrccaby
to the present rc experienced officers will be provided
for command upon detachment, at posts whore the
jccts important the danger imminent.
The construction which has been given the law upon
this subject has restricted the granting OF brevet commits
sions upon prior to those only where years
services have been rendered under such prior
There may be doubt respecting the of
this view, and also the cxpedicncy of restriction
These commissions except in few instances stated,
and those very proper, occasion expense the
eminent. They are in their operation, rewards for past
good conduct and nccativcs to future They cannot be
abused, for ten years services certainly qualify am officer
for higher grade and to attain by promotion the
rank of r-aiergc general from the of the
term of captain requires period of forty And
II TO this be added the progress through the
lower grades of first and lieutenant the prospect of
young man. on entering service, is very atter
ing. Nor has he much to hope from his pay. 1t bare
y sufficient to enable the officers, with rigid economy,
live respectaby and few of them for their children
any inheritance, but good name.
1t is important that Just pride of character personal
and professional should be encouraged in class men,
whose usefulness depends essentially upon the cultivation
of such feeling. This system promotion so useful in
war and economical in peace offers honorable objects
ambition, and cannot fail 10 stimulate the cxertions of the
officers of The army.
government Owing TO defects in the system ITSELF or in
the mode of its administration public confidence has
impaired in the efficacy Of that great branch of the
al defence This Is to be regretted for, although this
force cannot he regarded most important of
safety in the of war; il is still valuable auxiliary
and one which the nature OF institutions opposed
they to large standing army, renders indispensable
The power of organizing armng, and dsciplinng the mi
a, granted by the Constitution Congress; and if the
laws upon this subject inadequate, inadcqua,ely
executed ii Tor the wisdom of that body to apply the
remedy.
I he loc,
circumstances, ii may contribute, essentially, the
curity of the country In recurring our own expert
ence find many instances of the courage and devoted
ness OF our militia and the two battles that opened and
closed military history furnish practical illustrations
the value of this institution, and of its powerful effects in
situations favorable to its operation The National Guard
of France, upon which the fate of that interesting coun
try TO depend, is but local militia constituted like
volunteer companies but with more efficient organ-
cation. by anticipating too much however, from mi
l,a force, prepare the way for disappointment; and
this the of the late in consequence of
which, attention has been probably withdrawn from
the value of the system itself regular force is nd-
pensable to the vigorous prosecution of any permanent
military operations, offensive defensive But it may
be aided by irregular troops and its place also supplied
until measures for providing it be adopted We cam
not expect that the militia drill, upon the present sys-
tenn will give much instruction. The time attention
devoted to utterly insufficient FOR such purpose
Nor Improbable that enough of either will be granted in
time OF peace to convey much military knowledge the
great body OF our citizens. 1t is still important however
that due organization should be preserved, and portion
OF time devoted TO this duty In the pected and
called into action, unless individuals assigned 10 par
tcular classes either local or personal and knew their
situation; and unless there officers direct the
movements And this arrangement has also n tendency
TO preserve and dfuse much military knowledge; for
many will always direct their attention to the sub
Ject led by inclination well duty to acquire in
formation and to qualify themselves for the various
functions required to be performed Our countrymen
generally accustomed the use of fire arms from
early youths and intle management of these they have little
need OF instruction. In devong the field days therefore,
to the simple evoluons, Knowledge will be gained
| he phn
the claim which may be made upon their services They
will feel that his civil relations the only which
exist between the citizen and his country but he
| entrusted 10 all.
In 1926, board officers selected from the regular ar
my ana me militia was convened at the seat of Govern
men and instructed take into consideration the militia
system generally and TO suggest such alterations might
appear to them useful This board combined much intel
gence and experience and their report is an able and in
teresng one advert to it, in the hope this sub
ject engage the attention Congress and in the
vcton that the plan of organization bv that
board Is the only which offers any real prospect of
improvement or efficiency
The condition and prospects of the original tribes within
the limits OF the United States yet the subjects OF
ious socitude to the Government Circumstances have
occurred within few years. which have produced import
ant changes between them and us In ofthc States
they have been brought within the operation of the or
nary municipal laws, and their regulations have been alb
roSacu by legislative enactments. This procedure
derS most OF the provisions of the various Congress
upon this subject imperative; and crisis in Indian af-
fairs has evidently arrived, which calls for the establish
ment OF system of policy adapted the existing state OF
things, and calculated to fix upon basis the
future destiny of the Indians Whatever change NAV be
contemplated in their condition situation no one will adj
vocate the employment of force improper influence in
cfectng it, Ii is due to the character of the Government
and The feelings of the country not less than the moral
and physical imbeciy OF this unhappy race that spirit
oil kindness and orbearance should mark the whole course
oil our INSTRUMENTATION with them. The great object
after satisfying ourselves what would best ensure their
permanent welfare, should be TO satisfy them of the into
gritty OF our views and of the wisdom of the course re-
commended TO them. There is enough the retrospect for
serious reflection part and for unpleasant rccolec-
on on theirs and only by dspassioate examination
OF the subject and by prudent and timely measures that
we can hope repair the of the past by the exer-
lions of the future.
The Indians who placed in immediate contact with
inc settled portions OF the United States, have now the
alternative presented TO them, of remaining their pre-
sent positions, OF migrating the country west of the
Mississippi IL they induced to prefer the former
their political condition becomes subject of seriou CO
sderation They must either retain all those nsiuitons
which constitute them peculiar people, both social
y and politically or they must become portion of that
great community which is gathering round them respon
ble TO MS laws and looking 10 them for protection
Gan they expect to maintain tina; quasi independence
they heretofore enjoyed? and could they so maintain it,
would the privilege he beneficial TO them!
The right 70 extend their laws over all persons LIVING
within their boundaries, has been claimed and exercised
by many Of the States. The Executive of the United
STATES has, full considerations decided that there i mn
power That department TO nteposc any obstacle TO hc
assumption OF this authority As upon this coordinate
branch oil the Government dcvolves the execution of the
laws and particularly many of the most important proy
ons in the various acts regulating intercourse with the In
dams difficult to conceive how these provisions can be