The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-28

force sent 10 Florida, as soon as the eAlgehces
Of the service would permit !" or in other words, as
soon it deemed practicable and safe TO leave
one extreme of the country defenceess in order 70
protect the other; but this not done until new
generation of fierce and untamed spirits raised IN
state Of war and natural enemies TO peace had sprung
up among the Scmnoles, adding to Their natural Zero
! city and cunning the experience which they hau
gained in five years of active warfare, and becoming
more implacabe in their hatred and more determined
IN then resistance in proportion they learned thoii
enemy weakness, and became aware OF their own
strength. This war which was at first supposed
might be decided by volunteers and militia IN single
campaign requires the presence OF not less IMAM
three founhs Of whole Army, and It's termination
though it has been upon the point of ending ever since
i commenced seems TO be looked forward TO as
matter of hope, rather than OF expectation.
IT. then, il is fear of the expense which causes
this unriendly feeling, among certain class, toward
the Army, what, then, is it In my opinion (and
THINK all rejecting persons will join with mel II Is
chiefly owing to an indefinite sensation OF dread
which some people feel, pretend TO feel at the
bare thought of standing Army-they profess to be-
lieve that large military establishment in time OF
peace Incompatible With the " free spirit of in
1
Republic, the government of which requires no mill
tary support to place so much power in the hands OF
9 one man." Now, it is not presumed that an Army
is needed merely for the support of the Executive II
is required for the protection Of citizens and for
the defence Of frontier, and if applied TO these
objects it most undoubtedly would be- the several
divisions serving along our vast extent Of seacoas'
and inland frontier would be necessarily remote
4 80.
in the highest degree prepo.terous and absurd but
independently of this II Is direct and most ungene-
rous attack upon the honor of our Army 70 suppose
capable in any event oftamely submitting t. iueduec-
ton of any man, who might wish u use for the adj
vancement of his ambitious views or for the support OF
any tending TO initiate against the Liberties OF
the country in fact for any purpose not directly in
cordance with the Constitution and the laws is il
reasonable to suppose that the material of which
Army and Navy composed is less patriotic in feel
ing, or less republican in sentiment, than any other
body Of their felow-citzens On the contrary, there
is great reason to believe that the educated por
ton Of the two services learn to feel deep
" that amor patria which is inherent, in a
greater or less degree, in every breast, and to be
more strongly attached 10 their institutions and laws
than any other class Of men. This is perhaps owing,
in measure, 10 the ciousness that the honor of
the republic is entrusted to their keeping, and TO the
fact that their own interests Of en- so closely iden-
titled with those Of the country that they become more
deeply interested in any thing affecting the welfare OF
the nation, than wouli the citizens Of any particular
State whose ndrdudi intereSt has no direct connec-
ton WITH that Of the country at large The genuine
and aed esprit du corps which al prcsen pcvtdes
all ranks in our service would alone be sufficient
guarantee that while the Amy and Navy would be
the first To defend the nations honor, they would be
the last to join in any attempt against that nations in
dependence. In short so long as American army
i composed Of American citizens, it will be the mos,
zeaou, defender Of its countrys rights, and the surcs,
safeguard Of lis liberties.
Nothing can be fraught with danger to the
country than the idea entertained by too many
i u s...
cy which renders it necessary actually arises It's
to this mistaken policy, which if corrected must
inevitably lead 70 the most ruinous results, that we
owe the disasters which commenced with the war ii
1872, and the effects Of which were so sensiby fe
throughout the war. Sad experience then taught US
the folly opposing militia TO the disciplined troops OF
Europe and at the same lime proved in the most con-
vncing manner that mere individual bravery in an
army can fleet nothing without the mass is properly
disciplined and directed BY skful and competent lead
E ers. Our militia system has, iastdr onniuin many
and serious mpercelons, and it would involve rat her
serious responsibility to undertake TO enumerate
them all Not the least among them however i, tbel,
q entire ignorance Of the two most essential poin,,
il which indispens,by necessary TO render an arm,
i effective in the field and these re subortnation an,
discipline TWAS an established principle with Fred
erck of Prussia the perfect tactican of modern
times, that discipline IS the soul Of army he look.
ed upon the grand sine qua non which alone car
give unity and strength to military body, with il
and properly directed, army can accomplish. an,
thing; without it, it is but useless mass, and bur
den upon the state which maintains it
Our small army is al present perfect in every thing
save numerical force our system Of tactics which /.
a modification Of the FreGch is as perfect as any in
Europe; and VIC number among our officers some o
the frs, tHclicans OF the aye. But NOTWITHSTANDING
this, war with any of the great maritime pow ers
Europe should suddenly arse and such an event /.
not impossibe) it would find us totally unprepared
"A large force would be Immediately raised hu, un
acquainted as it necessarily must be- with even til,
> elements OF the art of war and consequently whou
the slightest notions Of discipline and subordinaon
could not Of course be relied upon in the fei III,
most rulnous consequences must necessarily ensue
and would require years OF toll and incalculabh
d sacrifice OF blood and treasure, 10 what. W,
must inevitably lose in the ist year Of such war
: These remarks are not confined to the Army; they
are applicable in an equal if not stronger, dcsre,
10 the Navy and to the Marine Corps. The late ob,
report of the Secretary OF the Navy exposes in til,
most clear and convincing manner, the wants and de
ficencies of this department Of the public service
Honestly believing, he does tina, large lncreas,
TO the Navy is necessary, he boldly and urnenil,
recommends it, although he is aware that in dong Sc
ne IS attacking one of the strongest popular preju