Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-02-24

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in view. Our military establishment, from
the very nature of of our position and insti
tutions, is the most expensive in the world.
Human life is worth more than in Europe
Men live more comfortably and are better
provided for. Their present is richer in
performance, and their future in promise.
A french soldier receives one sous, not 9.
quail to one cent, a day. | do not speak
with absolute certainty, for have not had
time to refresh my recollection by look
ing into the details Of the subject. 1t may
be that one centime day-the tenth part
Of cent--has come to increase this conf
|pensation. For that proposition certainly
occupied the attention of the French Cham
bers few years since. What doyouthink,
Mr.. President, of three dollars and sixty
five cents as the annual pay Of French
soldier, amounting to $29,30 for eight
years. service, in the best part of his life;
for that is the term during which every
French soldier is compelled 10 serve.
What do you think of quarter Of a
pound of lean beef, and from pound to a
pound and half of brown-alnost black
bread, for the daily subsistence Of men,
called by the heaviest penalties to maintain
the honor of their country abroad, and the
power of their government at home? As
with the pay, so is it with the subsistence.
l do not pretend to speak with absolute pre-.
cision; but know am not far wrong.
am quite near enough for the object / have
in view, that Of showing the difference be-
tween the condition of French and of an
American soldier, and the difference of ex-
pense which that brings with it. The army
of France isa great political engine, con
nected with the internal, as well as with
the external affairs Of the country. 1t was
a subject that could not fail to attract my
attention while there. 1t is admirably com.
posed and admirably administered for the
purposes OF the government. The soldiers
are active, brave, with true military bear
ing, and with a passionate devotion to the
glory of France, found their subsistence,
and their supplies upon the lowest possible
scale OF economy, consistent with the pres.
ervation of their health and strength. |
found, too, that when first called into mil.
itary life, the provisions dealt out to them
were inadequate to their comfortable sup
port. And it was only when they had ac-
quired the habits of their new occupation,
and had learned how best 10 manage their
provisions, and to content themselves with
meagre soup and dry bread, they were a.
bic to accommodate themselves to their
new position.
AS to us, we are not fit to be a nation of|
soldiers. We have much better things to
do. And the resources of an empire would
break down under the expenses which a
arge and long continued military establish.
nent would necessarily entail upon US.
Whatever may be the extent of our armv
and we all agree that in time of peace i,
hould be small-and whether large or
mall, itmust be filled by volunteer engage.
nsnts. And public opinion will require.
nd rightly require, that the men compos.
ng it should be adequately paid, properly
lothed, and comfortably maintained.
1t must also be recollected that the means
| transportation, one Of the limbs of the
rmy, had to be suddenly collected within
ne United States, and carried to the thea. .
'e ofoPerations These means were nee.
ssarily large, and could only be brought
'gether at great expense and labor and i
18th much loss oftime. Recollect,also. sir. n
le organization Of your Quartermaster's d
department. was not made for the present e
ate of things. 1t was not at all adequate |
the discharge of a mass of new duties
lddenly thrown upon it. know the head )
that department well. A more gallant o
'ldier, more faithful officer, more val. a a
mt administrator, our service does not !,
1mber upon the military Register. And Il
believe the assistants under him deserve a
n1mendation for their zeal, capacity, and k
dustry. But new agents, without experi. s,
ICE, had to be selected, and it were vain a a,
expect purchases would be as iudiciously + !,
ID economically made, and property as = =
'll preserved, applied and accounted for, n
this new exigency, as in the ordinary o!
ntine Of service. >,,sz 81
Besides, sir, there is one very OBJ. Ell
'us consideration we must keep in view ct
looking at our expenditures. II applies o.
no party, but belongs to all, forts cause 10 70
to be sought in our institutions. The ac. =, y,
mutation ofsupplies for urmilitary on. in II,
ations is greater, and always has been n,
eater than in any other army in the in
'rld. The responsibility ofthose who d. to
ct them is SO heavy and immediate, from al
.ever,ylgilant supervision of public O. q
Mon, that it is felt in all their arrange. y
ents. Fearing to do too little, they come q q
40 too much, and thence loss ii, purchase of ea
ID ultimate waste in application. Il was : !
mething like this which helped to swell de
expense Of two small Indian wars ard tn
'e ,quas. war to thirty millions Of dollars fa
nd we have an illustration Of its onera g. g.
m in ON able letter ofthe 5th Of Decen, re- re-
n last, to the Secretary of War from Eyo
en-: Jesup, who, in defending his denart do
ent from the charge Of General Taylor
o. >. ms means Of transportation were ii. .a aa
filclent + and not in time, while speaking cir
the ~. boats ordered, says that "the number an
CURED BY the General was, / believe dls d.
arly quadrupled ultimately by the off. q q,
RS OF the dann yft,oarf >, 49, toe