Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-06-17

ments, but the Governments which claim, Ds' graIi
the right TO oppress them. The people oil Europe WI
look we'll to the and 10 the consequences OF WI
with this country, which must affect their interests an
may be designed TO postpone the recovery OF lne
rights.
The time is not distant when all the energies, wis
dom, and forecast of European Governments will b
required TO prevent the progress of reform or revouo
at home. Since this debate commenced, we have hear
OF petition from nearly three and hall millions
British subjects, presented by Lord Brougham IN In
House of Peers-a petition calling for radical reform
the existing institutions of England There ne dan
ger OF war from that quarter against this country Wa
will not be countenanced there, and trust IL VIII no
be coun;enanced here, for political motives The on
war which the Governments of Europe nave waged
will probably wage for time, against the insttu
tons of this country, is nsdious one. IL IS wa
of deceptive words, of hollow professions, OF dark AM
malignant passion, under the specious guise OF virtue
and philanthropy. Dread.ng the political and ecce
monoposts of Europe do the force OF trnh thu
effect which the example of our institutions will silent
~ but surely work their people, :i.cy seek Il
SOW the seeds Of discomfort and dsunon among US; 4
engender feelings Of jealousy and strife unbecomn!
counrymen bound together as the people OF the U. 5
are by thousand glorious recollectons of the past
and ten thousand brighter hopes of the future This
the game which Europe has played and will be played
to the end Of the chapter. They who become it
dupes will soon become its victims These are dangers
which should only put us on our guard and draw ths
cords of amity and union closer around the heart o
every American patriot. The beauty of our Repub
lie does but reflect the deformily of European despot
ism; and when the people Of Europe-they who have
derived minds to think, hearts to feel and arms to strike
from the God who made them and us-when the peo
pie Of Europe, in their ma esy, shall understand, as
they are coming to understand, the mysterious chain
| of fate whose links connect their destnies with ours
they will not be long at loss for their true position
Their hopes and ours the hopes Of the present and OF
future generations who shall people this earth when
gone, all bound in the great experiment OF
free Government which commenced here IN 1870 ii we
only do our duty ourselves, the world will be
cpated. The Saxon have proved that they capa
ble of achieving freedom; it only remains for them by
wisdom and moderation equal to their courage, to
maintain it. England knows-the history of our Re-
volution has taught her-thnt, when this race of men
feel oppression, they not easily restrained. When
they revolt it will be question of stump taxes or
corn laws but the war cry Of ''lberty death viii
resound through all the length and breadth of ia
herand
| speak in no spirit Of menace. only desire to re.
mind the committee that there considerations OF jus.
ce of policy, Of mutual interest and forbearance,
which trust will long continue to preserve the present
amcabe relations between this country and England.
turn, then, with pleasure TO the contemplation of
the more grateful objects of mutual peace, mutual
commerce, and mutual prosperity. This is the policy
of republics War TO them, i, ought to be 10 man,
measure only Of defence, and not OF aggression or
conquest. If pursue this policy, there is occa
sion TO put army the war establishment. Does
any one imagine that army of II, 800 men (and that
is the force which is proposed 10 reain) wall alarm
Great Britain, with standing army of more than
900 brave, well disciplined veteran troops? Does
any one imagine that this force will lie sufficient for
purposes of war; if war is to come? No, SIR, our re-
sources will be found in this army of twelve thou
sand men. They will scarcely suffice for the nucleus,
The raying point, which TO form Our line of de-
ence-scarcely first platoon, marching division 10
repel invasion from our soil
We must rely people-on the militia. tcs
Sir the despised militia. This is our sure defence in
peace and in war The spirit and genius Of cur instu-
lions the Judgment, the prejud'ces, II you piease me
honest the wise prejudces OF our countrymen are all
against standing armies. II is not only dis'rus' OF
armies but is a confidence in themseves-thc con-
dence of those who feel that they are capable OF organ
zinu their own free institutions in peace and OF de-
tending them in Does not our history warrant
this dsrust on one hand this confidence on the other
How many of our glorious fields have been won by mt
lta men and militia Generals The regular army
cannot defend II is insufficient TO garrison onr
forts 4, can only 10 keep up the outline OF mi
prv ORGANIZATIONS which must be filled up in from
the body of the people. 1t serves to keep up military
knowledge and military spirit, and TO maintain we'll
ordered staff The present staff is sufficient, with
.liph mod ficatons, for an army OF 50O0D men, With
very moderate force, organized for such purposes IN
neace it will be easy in to fill up ranks They
are 10 be filled from the militia When speak OF the
militia as the natural and most reliable defence of the
country. do not mean that it is capable of being
brought suddenly into the field, without disciple ne, and
ready at once for the exigences OF war know that
the militia is loo much neglected, and that, under its
present organization, its regiments brgades and divi.
sions would be unfit for active duty. know that the
militia officers neglect too much the important trusts
confided TO them-hat they nre deficient IN knowledge
of tactics speak, therefore, of the militia as comPre-
hendng the great body of citizens, and contra
.ha1i nf
lar army In this country every citizen IS soldier, and
every soldier is citizen However defective, therefore,
ma Y be the organization discipline Of the mllltiu !
mean TO that the officers who will lead our troops to
victory and the men who will bear the ornn OF our pat
ties let war come when it WILL always TO be found,
when it begins at the plough or in private station
maintain moreover that troops brought for the first time
from the peaceful occupations Of private life will become
soldiers as soon if not sooner, than your oafers and
azzaroni Of the regular army, who from lounging in
GARRISON on the peace establishment often become the
mere ecankers Of calm world, and equally unfi, for
anv useful occupation either IN peace or war. The
army, then, in peace, is mere school for war.
Ii has been said that there is desire, The part OF
some here TO inlure the army by precpIlate reduc.
lions retort upon those who make the charge, and
AL, if thew will vote to increase the army? Is any man
here willing to keep up eace an army sufficient to
defend us in war; ! am sure that no one dreams OF
any such thing. What, then, is The practical question
before us? Ii s, what force shall be retained as
|
fitness or efficiency Of the Government, in any branch
of it's service am willing TO push retrenchment
of nn,y TO - the p"ss sDa n neoSe Ne
| .I ,on he inflicted on one which the other does not
feel SeI do not profess be familiar with military sub
cots | am civil man, and desire to speak with
becoming modesy and self dstfust of military affair.";
INT entertain no doubt that our present army VIII
admit of considerable reduction am aware that Ce-
neral Scott, the present distinguished COMMANDMENTS
chief recommended an increase, in his report at the
CONNIE ncement of the session, by the addition OF
two new regiments besides corps of sappers and mi
ners. We have fourteen regiments. Does the
gentleman from Massachusetts, or does any one else
advocate this increase tsconceded on all hands thai
no increase is now necessary Let US. then, inquire
whether it may not be diminished. If II cam without
impairing lis usefulness The public safety, - oui
DAT to reduce it, / am no advocate for blindfod re
forms which do more mischief than they remedy, but II
can make out fair of retrenchment' holo my
! friend from Massachusetts bound TO 60 with me. :,
/ l,.tpI hnt an 4