Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-01

ing an efficient force, Congress propose merely TO increase
the Regular Army by a few additional Regiments. And
thcse will be 50 ~wreiehedly oficered. that in character. dis.
cipline and efficiency. they will be far inferior 10 the
vilest batch Of militia that was ever spaNned nv n
sickly patriotism. In consequence Of the Extraordinary
anupaihy TO tho Military Academy, the appointments to
new Regiments have always been given to broken down
gentlemen, or dismissed Cadets. in preference ia The Grad.
yates. We have seen enough OF Regiments thus command.
ed to give Us moro confidence in the awestle vies that ever
ouriesqned the military art on draining days" Twenty
out OF the thirty commissioned in the 2d Dragons n fow
years since, have already been dismissed the service or
have resigned TO escape dlsmission. The present Admin
lsuauon began showing its contempt for military instruc.
ton by appointing a young man in the third Infantry. 10
the prejudice OF many graduates OF West Point Untor.
uhS.ey it inc martial aspirations of the youthful hero.
MS Regiment was IN the 'tented field" and he had TOO
much rehned contempt for his discomforts ever 10 repor,
Tor duty. One would have supposed that This experiment
would have been sufficient for the Executive. bu, no, 40.
he still believes that his pet banling would have proved a
Napoleon, could he only have overcome his repugnance 10
hardship and eunPowder. The Rifle Regiment was raised
Just after the glorious victories on the Rio Grande. which
the country attributed 20 the military skill and know
ledge acquired at West Point. The Executive, as though
expressly 10 show his superiority to the vulgar preiudiee
OF military instruction being essential to success in war.
fare, gave one-thlrd OF the appointments to dismissed
cadets, and all the rest TO civilians and TO crown
all, the Secretary Of War applied for those young Rr,dn-
ates, who had most distinguished themselves in hat
tie, TO be attached as S-uPemumerary Licutenants TO the
new Regiment, IN order that they might serve N Dr,u
Seyednfs TO the citizen officers. One OF the hopeful band
OF Presidential taVontos was recently tired and eashier,d
for repeatedly getting drunk and PLAYING cards with p,iva,o
soldiers. The Executive RENTED his sentence because nj
his youth, inexPerience aud total ignorance of military H.
sages." why was this ignorant sucking elevated 10 an
important position, when there were hundreds Of intelligent,
men IN the Army applicants for III Alas. they had no votes
and no influence. a Regular officer OF high standing has
been transferred TO the command OF the Rifles, in order to
nave them controlled and disciplined, and DragoonS b,y.
been incorporated with them Tor their guidance and instruc
ton. As nothing IS impossible, the Regiment may be
somewhat effective In the course OF n few wears. but W.,
eant'dy confess that we have more confidence IN the rag.
gcd militia with their corn-Sialk guns and nn.p,n drums
than IN troops othccred at random according 10 caprice.
whim or iavoritism. The raising Of the ten additional Re.
Cimcnts - calculated TO prolong the war. since II viii in.
sprc our enemies with confidence and give them rs grea,
a contempt Tor Regulars AS they now have Tor volun-
teers.
An expedition full OF the elements of failurc. !. r,y A.,
Jung out a descent upon Vera Cruz. The fearful "North.
ers" may dsPerse or destroy the transports. and in a few
moments, render abortiYe the labor of months; the. landing
cult OF all achievements, and when It's effected. there still
remains the terrible conflict with a superior force placed
behind almost impregnabie rampaus. The enterpris, ~
eminenty bold and hazardous; but as nine tenths OF our Re.
gular troops will be engaged IN 1t, we unhesitatingly assert
that n II iail. there will be no longer in existence A Resu-
lar Army OF the L. States. oar Veterans. like the "OId
Guard OF Napoleon. may be annihilated, but can never
be conquered. Never have men shown greater frmpess in
battle more enduring constancy under hardship and suffer
ing, aud a more perfect subordinauon to authority. The
same devotion TO the country will be exhibited at Vera
Cruz, watch characterized them on the plains ct Palo Alto
ana the heights OF Monterey. And vet what have they 10
tori a vague patriotism burns purely aud brightly in the
boSoms OF stump orators and luxurious loungers upon ele-
sofas, but some other incentive Of a definite character
Is wanted by men whitening under the burning skies and
yapOrs OF this dreadful climate. Have our Re-
gular troops that incenuvCl The officers. who have spent
the best Yeas OF their lives in the faithful discharge of their
duties and who have gloriously distinguished themselves IN
presence Of the foe, are now subordinate TO Young foplIngs.
as innocent OF military knowledge as sweet 'litle ba.
The soldiers, who have wasted their youth and ruinad
health in arduous campaigning. are, when they can no
longer be used, turned pensionless aduft BY that country
winch expects them TO be willing To pour out their hearts
IN lis uefFnGG. Inc men uDnn uhnun fanauA fha
success OF our arms and the glory OF our name, are again
enter the battle, one and all bitterly feeling that they
not the sympathies Of their counrymen, that foul wrong
and gross injustice have been done them. and that Their
nsh's and claims have been ramP!ed upon and despised.
AN ACTOR.