The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-09
muistration, yet he would not abandon the duty he

mnisration, yet he would not abandon the duty he
owed to his country. o 81 sic omnes
Was this time in which should disband our
regiments and totally disorganize military force
Could we spare the services of our little army Take
specific fact There were on our western border
10000 Indians within striking distance of the two
capitals of Arkansas and Wisconsin. Did those
States wish to be deprived of the presence Of mill
tary body and of the aid of a military police? Did
their Representatives say here? On the contrary,
had they not demonstrated and urged the pressing
cessity of retaining mounted force overawe their
dangerous neghbors And what reply had been Civ
en- to their Representatives. Had been shown that
strong portion of the Army ought not to be station
ed there Had the question been argued ques-
ton of business' Not at all.
Ii was not a mere military question. When it was
demanded that the force in the West should be suffered
to remain, gentlemen had said that Illinois could
raise abundance of militia, if war broke out. No
doubt, after war had broken out (and no doubt it
might be very clever thing for the gentlemen's
stituents to have mounted militia force called out;
doubtless we should have here plenty of claims for lost
horses at double and triple prices, in short time af
terD but the object was to prevent war. For what
were troops maintained the Indian frontier at this
moment For carrying on war? for fighting? Not
at all. 1t was to preserve peace and to maintain
military police among those lawless tribes.
Much undeserved reproach had been upon
national character from the fact that the red faded
and vanished away from before the presence of the
the Government. The Government had made all
possible efforts to prevent it. The fact from
their inherent hereditary, incurable unconquerabe
attachment to savage life and their reluctance to or
ganize for themselves Government for their own
protection. And what was the consequence? The
troops were taken away, and the Indians had po-
lice OF their they must of necessity be thrown
into the hands of that most corrupt, fagitious, float
ing population, which always haunted the deba,abc
land between civilization and barbarism U Unlicensed
| or hem CIV
would ntoxicate them blight their early attempts al
agricultural industry, engage them In quarres, and
then turn those quarels into the greater in
Juries and more outrageous oppression. And now we
found all the exasperatOns of past controversies still
further heightened by additional infusion of Semi
noes transport ed thther in chains, and prepared to
noculate the old emigants with still deeper spirit of
hatred and revenge. He was told that these people
fast escaping from tie Government depots, and
spreading themselves in all directions The result Of
such policy must be- that, in the vain and futile pur
suit Of the phantom Of retrenChment, gentlemen only
created the necessity of greater ultimate expenditure.
Let gentlemen look to the origin of the Florida
war. Who now doubted that had the commanding
generals received from the Government in the outset
that small additional force they asked for the disas
trous and wasteful and humiliating conflict in that
peninsula might have been wholly avoided? Just
it was with the Black Hawk war. The fact was now
thoroughly established. And with this experience
before their eyes could gentlemen remain regardless
of the thousand fold greater causes Of danger which
now existed? Yet about to once more
upon the fatal rock, and the consequences
might be expected to follow.
Mr. c. said, however, that he had but little to urge
against this bill let it pass. In the wise apprehen
sion that seventeen millions of people could resist
ten thousand, and could not pay them, let public
establishments be swamped under this sprng-dood
Of retrenchment and economy. Let gentlemen pass
the bill 1t would be but ephemeral In its duration.
War would come or wiser counsels would prevail.
A voice from the People would come up to these
Halls and exact speedy obedience. All that was
left undone would then be done and we'll done. The
Army and the Navy would be re-established; then,
and not till then, might hope for better days. He
would look meanwhile to the abundant, OVERLOOKING,
irrepressibe means and energies of the American
People, and trust to Providence for the future dest
MES of the Union.