Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-07

nsa. loT tAs support Of ths Army.
n tHx IioUss REPRESENTATIVES,, MAY 25ut, lSi2
The following amendment of MIR MeKAr beni
under consideration:
Irarfdsd That the recruiting service shsn unit
The Isrous OF the sevct al arcry ami antr,
regiments shall Toe redue by death. expiration q tern
time TO time direct ,o the number hsed 10y the act enitc'
An reduce and hr the military OF th'
limited States approved March ?, 1871: And Prortdec
Giksr ThSt no rsrt Of his appropriation shah be sp
piled amer the 30h Of sepcmbsi ne, TO me rayncn OF
the aoi OF the 23d Of May 1895
Mr. GOGGlN said it was known TO the House
that he was member OF the Committee on Militia
nv Affairs. whose opinions against n reduction oi
the army had been cited by his colleague on that
committee, the honorable gentleman from Ohio,
(Nr Pendleton,) who had Just taken his seat
When he rose n moment ago TO remind that gentle
maj that the views ot the committee only
those OF bare majority OF the members present,
he did not do under the belief that the gentleman
intended create the impression that the reduction
had been opposed by oil the members of full com
miltee. suppose (soid MIR G.) that he had unIn-
tentionally omitted to state what were the circum'
stances attending the action OF the committee, and,
ms member of il, he (Mr G) desired 10 be set
right He had risen now 10 repeat what he then
intended to have said when the gentleman had oh
iecicd, while he was on the floor, to his MIR G.'s
saving what lie designed then, only as an an expla
nation Of his position on the committee. he Won d
not now ask the attention OF the House but for the
fact that he was one OF the committee.
Sir, (said MIR Co. il the action or the opinion OF
the Committee on Military Affairs is 10 be cited as
authority to influence the votes OF this House. he
had wished TO he understood as the gentleman had
alluded TO it, what were the facts. That commit
tee, since the debate had commenced on thus bull
this morning, when but hve members OF II were pre-
sent had decided against reduction OF the army.
Five members are but bare majority (saio he) oi
the whole and of these FIVE but thres were for op
posing reduction and two in favor OF It. That COM
mttee thus composed, IN the short space OF an hour
had come to this decision upon one OF the most I'M
portant suhiects-a subject in which the whole
country felt, or would feel, deep interest. The
committee had not, he thought, property deliserated
upon il; as for himself, he confessed he had not-t
had not been brought TO the notice OF the commit
tee; il was sprung suddenly upon the House. and
the committee had as hastily acted. lie could not,
he said high his respect for all the members
of that committee, give to its opinion his endorse
ment on subject considered and acted upon as this
had been. He said he duly appreciated the honor
of his position rs a member OF that committee
position assigned him by the Speaker of the House.
lie felt the responsibility which attached to his &C
lion as one of those charged, IN part with the de-
fences of the country and as associated with those
whose names were not unknown TO tame-mer
who not only faithfully, he believed, represented
their constituents the floor ofthe House, but who
had done much for the country IN the battle field
For such gentlemen he had the highest respect, a:
he had for all the committee, hut he could no; sur
render his own opinions a subject like this; anC
he was pleased 10 know that the same opinions were
entertained by others also OF the same body.
MIR Gossin said he had always opposed, and b.
should continue to oppose, large standing armies il
time of peace, dangerous 10 republic. III
had opposed them at home; he should oppose Their
here, whatever might be its effects upon his pros
poets, or the prospects OF that party with which h
was associated. he wished, in matter like this
TO know no party. II was one which concerned til
country, and not a party, in this House or out G
II. He saw with alarm any step that was ken &
increase the power, the patronage, and the influence
OF the Executive branch OF this Government, ALREADY
too great. IL ought TO be diminished. lie had NJ
reference TO the state Of parties now in The country
lie did not allude TO the present Executive. Their
must be, however, tsad Mr. Co. the beginning of
reformation, and .O,o, he though, was the prope
time it should be begun and carried out.
will not (snid MIR G.) tell this House, vii
not declare to the country, that believe the amend
neni proposed to this bill in the shape OF provis
is best calculated to effect the objects intended
am (sald MIR G. very much disposed TO doubt tn
proptiety OF such course, and ! regret ndee
that II has been introduced. ! regret Il, beclus
fear its efficacy, in the FIRST place, when the re
medy is attempted 10 he thus applied. Il woul
have been proper for the Committee on Miitar
Affairs, some active standing committee, n seec
committee OF the House, TO have maturely consider
q a
reduction should have been viewed in all its variou
aspects: it is likely fleet the army; it affect
the country, and in reference TO existing laws. Al
its (sai6 MIR g. shall approach the subjec,
when come 10 vote, with some hesitation, and with
doubts to the propriety OF action in this form.
understand (said MIR g that the honorable gentle
man himself (Mr Pendle,onl has his doubts nov
whether the opinion OF O majority OF the commiiie
should not be received with hesitancy, inasmuch a
before he closed his remarks he proposed 10 III
IL. IL
more,) chairman of the Committee OF Ways anC
Means, TO lay aside this bill for the present TO ena-
bic the Committee Military Affairs TO take uT
this subject for consideration. This being the cast
with the gentleman, and others who are military
men, may well he supposed (said MIR G.) TO hall
md TO doubt. ! am not of that class who in any
way have ever been connected with the army. TIL.
| need not say 10 those who sent me here, though
believe II IS sometimes presumed that all hote who
have the honor Of serving on the Military Commit.
tee have seen some serries," have held somt
pcst IN the army. Such, however (said Mr. @ ,
is not my case. have never had the honor o
peing commander, nor have desired particular
10 be distinguished in that line.
Whatever tsAid MIR G.) may be my doubts as .C
the propnety OF adopting the proposed amendment
! am still more clear and decided IN the opinion tha
the Army ought: 90 be reduced TO peace esia blish
ment In time of war the volunteers viii flock IA
the standard OF their country. We have them among
Us in the greatest abundance, and endowed, too
with military spirit well disciplined well drill ed
and well differed. Look (said Mr. G.) at the spec.
tacle that we have exhibited near US within a
few days. ] allude 10 the display made at the Mi @
hiary Encampment near Baltimore, which was
composed OF voiunieersfrom this District, Maryland
Virginia, and Pennsylvania. So eager are thev 10
into camp, TO do camp duty and to act the par,
Of the soldier, that in a time OF profound peace they
have gone and voluntarily performed all the duties
Of regulars for a week togetha and without pay
too. A laugh They eNEAFed as / am inform.
ed, noble specimens Of the citizen soldier and a
brave and more patriotic set Of men, sir am sure,
will never be found even in the ranks Of tue regular
army, which would by no means disparage. Our
militia, though undisciplined, are reliable and brave
also. They, with our volunteers, should form our
safes; reliance 10 q time OF profound peace.
Where now, tsaid MIR G. is there speck or war
on the whole horizon The President has given US
70 understand that the Florida war is at an end.
Every man in this House, dare say, rei1ices 10
hear IT, We DO not know D.; we get the fact, how
ever, from the Executive and none here dare saw.
will object 10 this declaration; II will lie agreeab
news hroushoutih the country, as il has cost 80 many
millions OF dollars. There are no disturbances on
our Western border among the Indians. that I nrr
aware Of; and our little sister Rhode Island is now
IN a state Of perfect quiet, free from a domesi,
eommotlon. We have no internal excitement. ant
the only difficulty unsettled is with Great Britain
aud this VIC have been told is about TO be adjusted
Mr. G.. said It had been heraIded forth to the ccun
Try Ivy the press IN this placo-re,cchOed by ever,
village newspaper, and sent, too, 10 the form Of let
ters from members OF both Houses that our neso
tlations with England arc aboutto terminate amica
bly, and satisfactorily. We have been told thai
Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster were about Il
ndjus, all our differences, and sincerely hope tina
D. Us so. We have no reason 10 suppose u other
wise. Yet, cir, / have been told that within a few
days, the organ Of the Secretary Estate in this city